There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the parallel (side) approach at sinks. The ADA, TAS standards require all sinks and lavatories have a forward approach with a knee and toe clearance provided.

ADA and TAS

606.2 Clear Floor Space. A clear floor space complying with 305, positioned for a forward approach, and knee and toe clearance complying with 306 shall be provided.

The ICC ANSI Standards requires that the clear floor space be centered. ADA and TAS do not.

Below are some examples of sinks and lavatories that are required to comply with the clear floor space positioned for a forward approach.

This is the knee clearance dimensions required for a forward approach

The photo above shows a wheelchair located at a forward approach to the sink

The photo above shows a break room sink with the required knee space

The photo above shows a sink at a science lab. This requires a forward approach knee space

The photo above shows an art sink at a school. This requires a forward approach knee space because it will be used by students. If it was only used by the teachers, it would be exempted based on section 203.

The photo above shows a sink at a mother’s nursing room. This sink must also have a forward approach knee space.

There following exceptions are allowed to be taken for sinks and lavatories to not provide the forward approach clear floor space.

Exceptions don’t have to be used, but if you need them, they are available.

Kitchen sinks WITHOUT a cook top or range

606.2 Exception 1. A parallel approach complying with 305 shall be permitted to a kitchen sink in a space where a cook top or conventional range is not provided and to wet bars.

The confusion in this exception is what is a “kitchen” sink. When there is not a clear definition in the definition section of the standards, they recommend that a dictionary definition may be used. TDLR did go on record as explaining what is their definition of kitchen with their Technical Memo TM2012-09.

In essense, a space with a fixed or built in cooking appliance will be considered a kitchen. And if the kitchen DOES NOT have a cooktop or range, then a parallel approach at the sink can be used.

The photo above shows a “kitchen” with a cook top/range therefore the sink requires a forward approach

The photo above shows a “kitchen” without a cook top/range therefore the sink may take the exception for a parallel approach

The photo above shows an outdoor “kitchen” with a cook top/range therefore the sink must have a forward approach knee clearance

Wet Bars

606.2 Exception 1. A parallel approach complying with 305 shall be permitted to a kitchen sink in a space where a cook top or conventional range is not provided and to wet bars.

Part of this exception allows a parallel approach if the sink is part of a “wet bar”. A wet bar is essentially a place where only drinks will be served or prepared. These most commonly occur at waiting rooms or at hotel rooms without kitchenettes.

The photo above shows a wet bar sink that is allowed to have a parallel approach

The photo above shows another wet bar sink that is allowed to have a parallel approach. Just because the knee clearance is exempted, the height of the sink is still required to be no higher than 34″ a.f.f.

The photo above shows the height of the wet bar sink at 36″ a.f.f.

Private bathrooms (accessed from a private office)

606.2 Exception 2. A lavatory in a toilet room or bathing facility for a single occupant accessed only through a private office and not for common use or public use shall not be required to provide knee and toe clearance complying with 306.

A office is deemed “private” if it is only for one person and not located in a common area. A “private” bathroom is deemed private if it is only accessed from the private office and only used by one person.

The photo above shows bathroom accessed through a private office of a doctor. The sink in the bathroom may take the exception 2

The photo above shows bathroom accessed through a break room. This is not a “private office” and therefore the sink in the bathroom may NOT take exception 2.

Residential dwelling units (required by ADA and TAS)

606.2 Exception 3. In residential dwelling units, cabinetry shall be permitted under lavatories and kitchen sinks provided that all of the following conditions are met:

(a) the cabinetry can be removed without removal or replacement of the fixture;

(b) the finish floor extends under the cabinetry; and

(c) the walls behind and surrounding the cabinetry are finished

This exception can be taken only at residential dwelling units. If it is taken a door can be used to cover the knee clearance, but the floor finish must extend to the back wall and the pipes must be protected. In addition the cabinetry must be able to be removed without having to re-build the knee clearance.