Welcome to the newest post in our blog series, Top 20 ADA Compliance Issues Seen in Truckstops and Travel Plazas. Join guest post by contributor Brad Gaskins, The McIntosh Group on the second Friday of every month for his monthly column.
/// Guest post by contributor Brad Gaskins, The McIntosh Group
Making sure all your customers can reach the ketchup and mustard is important. We’ve found that condiments that are not within the required reach ranges is one of the top Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance issues seen in truck stops and travel plazas.
My past two posts have been regarding reach ranges. We discussed the required heights for drink machine controls, counters, and cup and lid dispensers. I’ll continue this discussion with information on placing condiments within the required reach ranges.
The most important thing to know is that one of each type must be available within the required reach ranges. When we say one of each type, this not only means each flavor (ketchup, mustard, relish, etc.) but also packaged and bottled.
There have been arguments made that condiments are not goods for sale, but are free to be taken by any customer, and therefore do not fall under the ADA’s reach range requirements. Some have tried to make this a defense for non-compliant condiment stations, but found it a fool’s errand and did not find success with this argument. My recommendation is to provide the condiments within the required reach ranges.
We look to the ADA Standards regarding reach ranges for guidance on this issue (sections 308.2 and 308.3).
Where a high forward reach is over an obstruction, the high forward reach shall be a maximum of 48 inches where the reach depth is 20 inches maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 20 inches, the high forward reach shall be a maximum of 44 inches. The reach depth shall not exceed 25 inches.
Where a clear floor space allows a parallel approach to an element and a high-side reach over an obstruction, the height of the obstruction should be a maximum of 34 inches. The high side reach should be a maximum of 48 inches for a maximum reach depth of 10 inches. Where the reach depth exceeds 10 inches the high side reach should be a maximum of 46 inches. The reach depth shouldn’t exceed 24 inches.
Where a forward or side reach is unobstructed the high reach shall be a maximum of 48 inches and a minimum of 15 inches.
Next month we’ll discuss the issue of water closets mounted to far or to close to the adjacent wall. This will be the first of several posts regarding ADA compliance issues we see in restrooms at truck stops and travel plazas.
/// Read more Top 20 ADA Compliance Issues Seen in Truckstops and Travel Plazas posts here.
Photo Credit: The McIntosh Group
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Editor's note: Gaskins was a Human Library expert at The NATSO Show. The NATSO Show 2014 will be January 25-29 in Nashville, TN. Learn more about The NATSO Show 2014 here. - AT |
{Guest Post} Guest post provided by NATSO Allied member Brad Gaskins, The McIntosh Group. The McIntosh Group is an architecture firm focused on providing accessibility solutions for clients nationwide. Learn more about The McIntosh Group.
The opinions and advice given by guest post contributors are not necessarily those of NATSO Inc. The posts should not be considered legal advice. Qualified professionals should be sought regarding advice and questions specific to your circumstances.
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