Real-Life Communication
Building inspectors have to read the long lists of building codes,
and keep up to date on changes in building practices.
"We also have
to be able to communicate very well," says Larry Willick, a building inspector.
"We have to speak with a cross-section of society, with different ethnic groups
and make sure that they all understand what we are saying about a building."
You
are inspecting a private school that has received complaints about their stairs
and wheelchair accessibility. You look at the entranceway, and tell the principal
what is wrong.
When you are finished, the principal stares blankly.
"Are you speaking English? I have no idea what you're talking about."
In
fact, you have been speaking English, but you have been using jargon. Translate
what you have said (written below) into everyday speech. Use the vocabulary
list if needed.
School entranceway:
This wheelchair
ramp isn't wide enough. You see that it would be difficult for a person to
wheel up this ramp because the gradient appears to be more than 1/12. I'm
concerned about the cross slope on the ramp, which should be minimal.
I'm
also concerned about the surface of the stairs. It must be firm and even.
There is no tactile warning strip at the start of the stairs. This is important
for people entering your building who are ambulant but vision-impaired. When
pre-cast units are used to make the stairway, all joints must be as flush
as possible.
Vocabulary:
Gradient: | the slope of the ramp |
Cross slope: | the slope of the ramp
across the direction of travel |
Tactile warning
strip: | a ridge in the floor
that warns a person she is approaching a stair |
Ambulant: | able to walk |
Pre-cast units: | materials made off-site
such as brick pavers, concrete slabs or tiles |
Maximum tolerance: | The limit allowed above
or below a certain measurement |