Most of us design professionals are visual people. We like seeing figures to explain a code rather than the wordy text that is sometimes “code-speak” and difficult to understand. The ADA has many figures that explain the words within the Standards. But unfortunately, not all figures tell us the full story.

Below is the statement in the ADA Standards about “Figures” and how we are mean to use them.

104.3 Figures. Unless specifically stated otherwise, figures are provided for informational purposes only.

Figure 302.3 Openings

The requirements in section 302 states that the “openings” along the accessible route should not be wider than 1/2″ . This requirement is for any openings found along the accessible route, but the figure shows a grate, which might imply that it only applies to grates.

This figure shows the requirements for openings along an accessible route

This photo shows a wheelchair wheel stuck at the grate along an accessible route

This photo shows another type of “opening”: an expansion joint that created an opening greater than 1/2″ along an accessible route

This photo shows another type of “opening”: grout around pavers that create openings wider than 1/2″ along an accessible route

TOILET COMPARTMENT DOORS

The figure 604.8.1.2 shows a toilet compartment door with the hinge 4″ max from the opposite corner of the toilet in a toilet compartment. If you follow the figure, we would assume that we are required to make the hinge 4″ from the corner, but the words gives us a different requirement:

604.8.1.2 Doors. …. Doors shall be located in the front partition or in the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the front partition, the door opening shall be 4 inches (100 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the side wall or partition, the door opening shall be 4 inches (100 mm) maximum from the front partition

The text states that the “opening” must be 4″ from the corner. So it can be either the hinge or the latch/strike. We would not have understood that requirement if we only saw the figure.

This figure shows the toilet compartment door location.

This image shows the toilet compartment door location different than the figure, (shows the strike from the corner) but it complies with the requirement since the door opening (not the door) is located 4″ from the corner opposite the toilet within the compartment.

TOE CLEARANCE

The toe clearance figure 306.2 has been a very confusing one to understand. We have used the section to design our millwork. But the figure is not clear what the 6″ max means. So we interpret it to mean that we should avoid having the toes go farther than 6″ (from where, is not clear). But in reality, this is defining what toe clearance is:

306.2.4 Additional Clearance. Space extending greater than 6 inches (150 mm) beyond the available knee clearance at 9 inches (230 mm) above the finish floor or ground shall not be considered toe clearance.

The figure is not showing you a construction dimensions, but defining what is and what is not “toe clearance”

The sketch above is dimensioning the 6″ toe clearance.

The space beyond the 6″ designated for toe clearance, does not have to be built out. The space beyond can remain. It is just NOT considered “toe clearance”.

OBSTRUCTED HIGH REACH RANGE

The figure 308.2.2 shows an obstructed high reach. But it doesn’t tell us all the requirements for such a reach range. The figure only shows us how high to mount the operable part depending on how far they are reaching.

The 2010 ADA Standards figure 308.2.2 which describes the height of the operable part relative to the distance we are reaching

The text state more than the figure shows:

308.2.2 Obstructed High Reach. Where a high forward reach is over an obstruction, the clear floor space shall extend beneath the element for a distance not less than the required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum where the reach depth is 20 inches (510 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 20 inches (510 mm), the high forward reach shall be 44 inches (1120 mm) maximum and the reach depth shall be 25 inches (635 mm) maximum.

The text states the clear floor space under the obstruction must be equal or greater than the reach depth to the operable part. The figure doesn’t show us that. We did a video that explains this requirement

This sketch explains more what the section requires

This section, shows a baseboard located aligned with the faucet. This would allow the clear floor space to be equal to the reach to the faucet operable parts

This photo is the built millwork at the break room sink. It has the baseboard shown

This photo shows the reach to the faucet as 23″ deep

This photo shows clear floor space as 14″. The baseboard has reduced the clear floor space minimum requirement.

BENCH BACK SUPPORT

Locker rooms, dressing rooms, saunas and steam rooms, holding cells and fitting rooms are some space that require a bench to be provided. The bench requires back support. The figure shows a built in back support. But the text does not require the back support to be built in or part of the bench as the figure shows.

903.4 Back Support. The bench shall provide for back support or shall be affixed to a wall. Back support shall be 42 inches (1065 mm) long minimum and shall extend from a point 2 inches (51 mm) maximum above the seat surface to a point 18 inches (455 mm) minimum above the seat surface. Back support shall be 2 1/2 inches (64 mm) maximum from the rear edge of the seat measured horizontally.

Figue 903.4 shows a bench with back support.

The standards allows for either back support, OR it can be affixed to a wall. So the wall becomes the back support. If you just saw the figure, you would have missed that part.

The bench in the photo was affixed to the wall, but it also had a fixed back support.

The bench in the photo had a fixed back support because it was not affixed to the wall.

The bench in the photo was affixed to the wall and therefore did not need additional back support.