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
The devil is in the details. We find that some of the top Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance issues seen in truck stops and travel plazas are overlooked details within the Standards. This month we look at how non-compliant counter top heights also affect drink machine control heights.
Drink machine controls are often too high when the machines are placed on top of counter tops that are too high. We’re finding that when counters are leveled, they are leveled up. This makes the counters too high, often as little as a quarter inch. Yes, a quarter of an inch does matter.
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 should 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 should be a maximum of 44 inches. The reach depth shouldn’t 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 should be a maximum of 48 inches and a minimum of 15 inches.
I should also mention the requirements for the operable parts of drink machines. Section 309.4 of the ADA Standards states that the controls should be operable with one hand and shouldn’t require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts should be a maximum of 5 pounds.
Next month we’ll continue our discussion of reach ranges and cover the requirements for cup and lid dispenser heights.
/// 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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