Lately there has been several of my clients that are using the term “transaction” when describing the type of counters they are designing and installing. In 1991, when the ADA Design Guidelines were published, there were requirements for counters where a transaction was being performed. Most of the time, this “transaction” was associated with payment of some kind, and possibly writing a check or signing a receipt after payment was made.

In 2010, after evaluating the guidelines, The ADA Standards removed the word “transaction” and replaced it with “Sales or Service Counters”. Sales counters are pretty much understandable. What confuses people are “service counters”. This newsletter will explain the requirements for those counters and hopefully clear up some of the misunderstanding.

227 SCOPING

Service counters are where a service is being provided but no money transaction occurs: an information desk, a hostess stand at a restaurant, a reception desk at an office are all examples of service counters.

The ADA requires that sales or service counters meet the following requirements:

227.1 General. Where provided, check-out aisles, sales counters, service counters, food service lines, queues, and waiting lines shall comply with 227 and 904.

This is an example of an service counter which provides the service of giving information counter at a Court house.

No “transaction” required for it to comply

This is an example of an service counter at an information desk in the lobby of an office building

No “transaction” required for it to comply

This is an example of a service counter: an “will call” window at a theater

No “transaction” required for it to comply

This is an example of a service counter: a reception desk

No “transaction” required for it to comply

This is an example of a service counter: a host stand at a restaurant

No “transaction” required for it to comply

This is an example of a service counter: a nurse station

No “transaction” required for it to comply

227.3 Counters. Where provided, at least one of each type of sales counter and service counter shall comply with 904.4. Where counters are dispersed throughout the building or facility, counters complying with 904.4 also shall be dispersed.

If the counters are different and have different function, each one must have an accessible portion that is accessible and meeting the technical standards, even if they are all on the same location.

In these counters shown above, there are a portion for ordering and paying for an order (sales counter) and a portion for picking up the order. (service counter). Each one must comply

904.4 Sales and Service Counters. Sales counters and service counters shall comply with 904.4.1 or 904.4.2.

The accessible portion of the counter top shall extend the same depth as the sales or service counter top.

904.4.1 Parallel Approach. A portion of the counter surface that is 36 inches (915 mm) long minimum and 36 inches (915 mm) high maximum above the finish floor shall be provided. A clear floor or ground space complying with 305 shall be positioned for a parallel approach adjacent to the 36 inch (915 mm) minimum length of counter.

A service counter will have the “public side” where the customer approaches and the “work area” side which is where the person receives or serves the customer. Only the public side will have to comply

The public side of the service or sales counter, must have a portion that is no higher than 36″ a.f.f. and no shorter than 36″ long

This service counter has a portion that is lower as required by 904.

The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design are only minimum requirements to ensure that the facility will be, to the maximum extent feasible, be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

What that means is that the requirements are a base line for how to make buildings accessible, and if something better or more accessible can be provided, that would be ideal.

As an inspector, I cannot tell my architects and owners to do more than the minimum, but this newsletter will give guidance on elements that may not be required, but would be a good practice to provide.

Wheel Stops

Wheel stops are not required by the ADA standards. The minimum requirement is that the sidewalks and parking should be desiged as to prevent the parked cars from reducing the clear width of the accessible route:

ADA Section 502.7 Relationship to Accessible Routes. Parking spaces and access aisles shall be designed so that cars and vans, when parked, cannot obstruct the required clear width of adjacent accessible routes

Wheel stops are a good way to prevent the cars and vans from obstructing the clear width of the accessible route.

The photo above shows an accessible route located in front of the parking spaces, and because there are no wheelstops the front of the parked car is partially obstructing the route.

The photo above shows parked cars that are obstructing not only the walking surface but also the curb ramps that are part of the accessible route. Wheel stops would prevent it.

Benches at Shower rooms

The ADA Standards section 803 requires that dressing, fitting and locker rooms provide a bench.

ADA Section 803.4 Benches. A bench complying with 903 shall be provided within the room.

As an inspector I find that design professionals think they need to have a bench at shower rooms. Technically the shower rooms would be a place to undress in order to take a shower, but it is not considered a “dressing room”. Therefore a shower room is not required to have a bench as stated in section 803.

Even though it is not required, a bench in the shower room would be a good practice to provide, since the likelyhood of a person with disabilities to need to undress in order to use the shower would be high, the bench would be helpful.

For information: A bench is different than a shower seat

The drawing above shows a locker room with showers. Because this is a locker room, a bench is required in this room.

The drawing above shows a shower room. Even though there is a bench shown in the shower room, it is not required.

The photo above shows a bathing room without a bench.

Power Assisted doors

Exterior doors are not required to have an opening force more than 5 lbs. That requirement is only for interior swing doors. But exterior swing doors might be difficult to open due to the wind pressure or other factors that are not within out control. One way to provide assistance with difficult doors is to install power assisted doors. They are not required, but if used they must comply.

Even though a power assisted door is not required by the ADA Standards, it would be a good practice to provide one in order to assist persons with disabilities to open exterior doors.

The photo above shows a power assisted mechanism on the exterior entrance in order to provide assistance for persons with disabilities to open the door.

34″ a.f.f. Counter Heights

There are two different requirements at fixed counters depending on what they are used for.

Section 902 requires that a fixed dining or non-employee work surface be mounted at 34″ a.f.f.

Section 904 on the other hand has a requirement that the fixed sales or service counters be mounted at 36″ a.f.f.

As an inspector I find violations when the fixed dining counters are mounted higher than 34″ a.f.f. or the fixed sales or service counters are mounted higher than 36″ a.f.f.

In order to avoid this it would be recommended to mount all counters at 33″ a.f.f. therefore they will be meet both requirements.

The fixed dining counter shown in the photo above is required to be mounted a maximum of 34″ a.f.f.

The fixed ticket counter shown in the figure above is considered a “sales and service counter” and will be required to be mounted a maximum of 36″ a.f.f.

The movable reception counter is not required to provide an accessible portion since it is considered furniture, but it would be good practice to provide one so that a person with disabilities will be able to approach it and utilize it.

Accessibility Codes and Standards Codes

There are many different accessibility codes, standards and guidelines that we are required to use when we design. The two most prevelant codes for commercial and public accommodations is the IBC required ICC ANSI and the 2010 ADA Standards. They are very similar but the new ICC ANSI which is the 2017 version has several significant changes which do not harmonize with the ADA. When two codes/standards don’t agree, designers must use the MOST STRINGENT.

This newsletter will explain five main changes in accessibility codes. The 2010 ADA has the same technical standards as the 2009 ICC ANSI in the five examples I am presenting in the newsletter.

Turning Space

The 2017 ICC ANSI Standards changed and increased the size of the turning space

• Turning Circle:In A117.1-2017, the circle has expanded to 67” in diameter and only 10” of it is permitted to overlap knee and toe clearance.
• T-Shaped Turn: The previous T-shaped turn was a 60”x60” square with 12”x24” cutouts. A117.1-2017 gives three options for a T-shaped turn, as shown in the image below.

The first option is 68”x60” and has two 16”x24” portions removed from two corners with an 8”x8” chamfered interior corner. The second and third options are both 64”x60” with either 11”x22” or 12”x20” rectangles removed from two corners on one side. One arm or the base of each T-shaped turn option is permitted to overlap knee and toe clearance extending below an element.