In Part 3 of the miniseries, we’ll focus on the inside of the business and take a look at ADA requirements for aisles, clearance and restrooms . These elements are very important as they directly affect your customers shopping experience. By following some of the steps below, and having a qualified CASp inspection report, you can keep your business and patrons safe and have peace of mind against future lawsuits.
Continuing our series, this month in Part 3 of the mini-series we are looking at the knee and toe clearance room in meeting and restrooms, as well as work and dining tables, in particular the impact this clearance has on wheelchair clients. In order to follow the guidelines, it is important to know that the definition of Toe Clearance is “the space under an element between the finish floor or ground and 9 inches above”, and the definition for Knee Clearance is “the space under an element between 9 and 27 inches above the finished floor.”
The 2013 CBC Section 11B-306, Knee and Toe Clearance requires that the space beneath an element included as part of the clear floor or ground space or turning space shall meet the following:
1.Toe clearance shall extend 17 inches minimum under the element and must be a minimum of 30 inches wide.
2. Toe clearance shall not extend more than 25 inches under the element.
3. Knee clearance shall extend 25 inches maximum under an element at 9 inches above the finish floor. Minimum knee clearance is 11 inches deep at 9 inches above and 8 inches deep at 27
inches above the finish floor or ground.
4. For lavatories, knee clearance is the space between 9 and 29 inches above the finish floor surface under the element. Knee clearance shall be 27 inches high minimum above the finish floor at a depth of 8 inches minimum increasing to 29 inches high minimum above the finish floor at the front edge of a counter with a built-in lavatory or the front edge of a wall-mounted lavatory
fixture.
5. For dining and work surfaces that are required to be accessible, knee clearance shall extend 19 inches deep minimum at 27 inches above the finish floor surface.
This is a very brief overview of some of the California guidelines. This is just a glimpse of the some of the changes that have affected the California Building Code. Keep in mind that any remodels, tenant improvements or new build-outs will be a trigger that could require upgrading your accessible knee and toe clearance. Check back next month as we dig into the process of an ADA lawsuit, the elements that make up a charge against a small business. It is a must read! If you have questions, or are in need of a Professional Bay Area CASp Inspection Report or consultation, please give me a call.