The ADA requires that when drinking fountains are provided, they are available and usable for people with disabilities. The ADA requires that 50% of the provided drinking fountains in each area of the facility be for wheelchair users and 50% be for standing persons that cannot bend down due to disabilities that affect their backs.

211.2 Minimum Number. No fewer than two drinking fountains shall be provided. One drinking fountain shall comply with 602.1 through 602.6 [FOR WHEELCHAIRS] and one drinking fountain shall comply with 602.7 [FOR STANDING PERSONS].

The photo above shows two drinking fountains: one low one for wheelchair users and one high one for people who cannot bend down.

Drinking fountains for wheelchair users require a clear floor space located for a forward approach and centered on the unit.

What is Clear floor space?

A clear floor space is the space required for a wheelchair. Any time you see the words “clear floor space” ADA section 305.3 provides guidelines for the clear floor space.:

• size should be 30″x48″ min.
• The slope within should be no steeper than 2% in all directions
• The ground surface at the clear floor space should be stable, firm and slip resistant

The figure above is the size of the clear floor space

The drinking fountains for wheelchair users must have a clear floor space 30″x48″ clear floor space located for a forward approach and centered on the wheelchair unit.

602.2 Clear Floor Space. Units shall have a clear floor or ground space complying with 305 positioned for a forward approach and centered on the unit. Knee and toe clearance complying with 306 shall be provided.

The drawing above shows the clear floor space centered at the drinking fountain for wheelchair users.

The photo above shows the clear floor space at the drinking fountain for wheelchairs too close to the side wall of the alcove. It is less than 15″ from the centerline of the drinking fountain to the wall, and therefore not large enough for the required clear floor space.

The photo above shows a column obstructing the clear floor space of the drinking fountain for wheelchairs.

The photo above shows a low drinking fountain that has the clear floor space partially on concrete as the floor surface and partially over mulch. Mulch is not considered a firm or stable surface

The photo above shows the clear floor space spanning across from concrete to the mulch

The photo above shows the clear floor space of the drinking fountain for wheelchairs spanning across concrete to artificial turf

The slope of the clear floor space over the turf is 4.9%. (2% maximum is required) In addition the turf height is higher than 1/2″

What are the requirements for “high” drinking fountains?

A high drinking fountain does not require a clear floor space like the drinking fountains for wheelchairs. But there are certain times when drinking fountains are installed along an open corridor or walking surface which creates issues for persons who are visually impaired.

A person who cannot see finds their way by using a white cane to detect their surroundings. The white cane can only detect elements mounted BELOW 27″ a.f.f.

A knee space at the drinking fountain is a minimum 27″ a.f.f. therefore it would be cane detectable.

But a drinking fountain for standing persons is higher and would not be detectable by a person using a white cane. Therefore the high drinking fountain should be equipped with an accessory called “cane detectable apron”

The high drinking fountain in the photo shown above is a protruding object because the leading edge is higher than 27″ a.f.f.

The high drinking fountain in the photo shown above shows the “cane detectable apron” installed so that it become detectable by a white cane. This apron should reach a minimum 27″ a.f.f. so that it is detectable

Because the clear floor space for wheelchairs must be centered at the drinking fountain, when the high and low drinking fountains are located next to each other, part of the 30″ clear floor space will be located beneath the high drinking fountain.

Therefore the cane detectable apron, although could be installed so that the bottom edge is lower than 27″ a.f.f. (since that is the maximum amount for cane detection), because the knee clearance of the low drinking fountain is required to be 27″ a.f.f. min. AND centered on the unit, the apron installed on the drinking fountain next to the wheelchair clear floor space may not reduce the knee clearance and should be mounted EXACTLY at 27″ a.f.f.

The apron installed at the high fountain was lower than 27″ a.f.f. Even though the drinking fountain for standing persons does not require a clear floor space, because the drinking fountain for wheelchairs requires that the clear floor space be centered, it will span beneath the high one. Therefore it must not be lower than 27″ a.f.f. because it will reduce the knee space required at the low drinking fountain.