Accessible Area of Refuge is an area of refuge that complies with the accessible route requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1.

• A. An area that complies with accessibility route requirements.
• B. An area of refuge outdoors only.
• C. An area not required to meet accessibility route requirements.
• D. An area of refuge that complies with the accessible route requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1.

Answer: (D)

An Accessible Area of Refuge is basically an Area of Refuge that also meets the accessible route requirements in ICC/ANSI A117.1. The Area of Refuge is a designated safe space on a floor where occupants who can’t use stairs can wait for assistance during an evacuation. Making it accessible means the path to and within that refuge is an accessible route—with appropriate width, clearances, turning space, and surface levels so someone using a wheelchair or other mobility device can reach and use the refuge. That combination—refuge status plus an accessible route—is what defines an Accessible Area of Refuge.

So the best description is an area of refuge that complies with the accessible route requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1. The other options either describe only being generally accessible without referencing the refuge aspect, imply outdoor refuge, or state that accessibility isn’t required, which would not meet the defined term.