Pocket guide to the ADA : Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines for buildings and facilities

Updated to include the latest Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines

This book helps readers understand the facilities requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). This Third Edition presents the technical building requirements for accessible elements and spaces in new construction, alterations, and additions.

Expanded and updated with numerous illustrations, this pocket guide covers special requirements for public accommodations and commercial facilities, including businesses, restaurants, medical care facilities, libraries, transportation facilities, and more. Portable and practical, it's a compact reference that can be used easily at a desk or in the field.

• 1 Purpose p. 1
• 2 General p. 1
• 2.1 Provisions for Adults p. 1
• 2.2 Equivalent Facilitation p. 1
• 3 Miscellaneous Instructions and Definitions p. 1
• 3.1 Graphic Conventions p. 1
• 3.2 Dimensional Tolerances p. 2
• 3.3 Notes p. 2
• 3.4 General Terminology p. 2
• 3.5 Definitions p. 2
• 4 Accessible Elements and Spaces: Scope and Technical Requirements p. 8
• 4.1 Minimum Requirements p. 8
• 4.1.1 Application p. 8
• 4.1.2 Accessible Sites and Exterior Facilities: New Construction p. 10
• 4.1.3 Accessible Buildings: New Construction p. 13
• 4.1.4 Reserved p. 22
• 4.1.5 Accessible Buildings: Additions p. 22
• 4.1.6 Accessible Buildings: Alterations p. 22
• 4.1.7 Accessible Buildings: Historical Preservation p. 27
• 4.2 Space Allowance and Reach Ranges p. 30
• 4.2.1 Wheelchair Passage Width p. 30
• 4.2.2 Width for Wheelchair Passing p. 31
• 4.2.3 Wheelchair Turning Space p. 31
• 4.2.4 Clear Floor or Ground Space for Wheelchairs p. 31
• 4.2.5 Forward Reach p. 31
• 4.2.6 Side Reach p. 32
• 4.3 Accessible Route p. 32
• 4.3.1 General p. 32
• 4.3.2 Location p. 32
• 4.3.3 Width p. 32
• 4.3.4 Passing Space p. 33
• 4.3.5 Head Room p. 33
• 4.3.6 Surface Textures p. 33
• 4.3.7 Slope p. 33
• 4.3.8 Changes in Levels p. 33
• 4.3.9 Doors p. 33
• 4.3.10 Egress p. 33
• 4.3.11 Areas of Rescue Assistance p. 33
• 4.4 Protruding Objects p. 36
• 4.4.1 General p. 36
• 4.4.2 Head Room p. 36
• 4.5 Ground and Floor Surfaces p. 36
• 4.5.1 General p. 36
• 4.5.2 Changes in Level p. 36
• 4.5.3 Carpet p. 36
• 4.5.4 Gratings p. 37
• 4.6 Parking and Passenger Loading Zones p. 37
• 4.6.1 Minimum Number p. 37
• 4.6.2 Location p. 37
• 4.6.3 Parking Spaces p. 37
• 4.6.4 Signage p. 38
• 4.6.5 Vertical Clearance p. 38
• 4.6.6 Passenger Loading Zones p. 38
• 4.7 Curb Ramps p. 38
• 4.7.1 Location p. 38
• 4.7.2 Slope p. 38
• 4.7.3 Width p. 39
• 4.7.4 Surface p. 39
• 4.7.5 Sides of Curb Ramps p. 39
• 4.7.6 Built-up Curb Ramps p. 39
• 4.7.7 Detectable Warnings p. 39
• 4.7.8 Obstructions p. 39
• 4.7.9 Location at Marked Crossings p. 39
• 4.7.10 Diagonal Curb Ramps p. 39
• 4.7.11 Islands p. 40
• 4.8 Ramps p. 40
• 4.8.1 General p. 40
• 4.8.2 Slope and Rise p. 40
• 4.8.3 Clear Width p. 40
• 4.8.4 Landings p. 40
• 4.8.5 Handrails p. 41
• 4.8.6 Cross Slope and Surface p. 41
• 4.8.7 Edge Protection p. 41
• 4.8.8 Outdoor Conditions p. 42
• 4.9 Stairs p. 42
• 4.9.1 Minimum Number p. 42
• 4.9.2 Treads and Risers p. 42
• 4.9.3 Nosings p. 42
• 4.9.4 Handrails p. 42
• 4.9.5 Detectable Warnings at Stairs p. 43
• 4.9.6 Outdoor Conditions p. 43
• 4.10 Elevators p. 43
• 4.10.1 General p. 43
• 4.10.2 Automatic Operation p. 43
• 4.10.3 Hall Call Buttons p. 43
• 4.10.4 Hall Lanterns p. 44
• 4.10.5 Raised and Braille Characters on Hoistway Entrances p. 44
• 4.10.6 Door Protective and Reopening Device p. 44
• 4.10.7 Door and Signal Timing for Hall Calls p. 45
• 4.10.8 Door Delay for Car Calls p. 45
• 4.10.9 Floor Plan of Elevator Cars p. 45
• 4.10.10 Floor Surfaces p. 45
• 4.10.11 Illumination Levels p. 45
• 4.10.12 Car Controls p. 46
• 4.10.13 Car-Position Indicators p. 46
• 4.10.14 Emergency Communications p. 47
• 4.11 Platform Lifts (Wheelchair Lifts) p. 47
• 4.11.1 Location p. 47
• 4.11.2 Other Requirements p. 47
• 4.11.3 Entrance p. 47
• 4.12 Windows p. 47
• 4.12.1 General p. 47
• 4.12.2 Window Hardware p. 47
• 4.13 Doors p. 47
• 4.13.1 General p. 48
• 4.13.2 Revolving Doors and Turnstiles p. 48
• 4.13.3 Gates p. 48
• 4.13.4 Double-Leaf Doorways p. 48
• 4.13.5 Clear Width p. 48
• 4.13.6 Maneuvering Clearances at Doors p. 48
• 4.13.7 Two Doors in Series p. 48
• 4.13.8 Thresholds at Doorways p. 49
• 4.13.9 Door Hardware p. 49
• 4.13.10 Door Closers p. 49
• 4.13.11 Door Opening Force p. 49
• 4.13.12 Automatic Doors and Power-assisted Doors p. 50
• 4.14 Entrances p. 50
• 4.14.1 Minimum Number p. 50
• 4.14.2 Service Entrances p. 50
• 4.15 Drinking Fountains and Water Coolers p. 50
• 4.15.1 Minimum Number p. 50
• 4.15.2 Spout Height p. 50
• 4.15.3 Spout Location p. 50
• 4.15.4 Controls p. 51
• 4.15.5 Clearances p. 51
• 4.16 Water Closets p. 51
• 4.16.1 General p. 51
• 4.16.2 Clear Floor Space p. 51
• 4.16.3 Height p. 51
• 4.16.4 Grab Bars p. 52
• 4.16.5 Flush Controls p. 52
• 4.16.6 Dispenser p. 52
• 4.17 Toilet Stalls p. 52
• 4.17.1 Location p. 52
• 4.17.2 Water Closets p. 52
• 4.17.3 Size and Arrangement p. 52
• 4.17.4 Toe Clearances p. 52
• 4.17.5 Doors p. 53
• 4.17.6 Grab Bars p. 53
• 4.18 Urinals p. 53
• 4.18.1 General p. 53
• 4.18.2 Height p. 53
• 4.18.3 Clear Floor Space p. 53
• 4.18.4 Flush Controls p. 53
• 4.19 Lavatories and Mirrors p. 53
• 4.19.1 General p. 53
• 4.19.2 Height and Clearances p. 54
• 4.19.3 Clear Floor Space p. 54
• 4.19.4 Exposed Pipes and Surfaces p. 54
• 4.19.5 Faucets p. 54
• 4.19.6 Mirrors p. 54
• 4.20 Bathtubs p. 54
• 4.20.1 General p. 54
• 4.20.2 Floor Space p. 54
• 4.20.3 Seat p. 54
• 4.20.4 Grab Bars p. 55
• 4.20.5 Controls p. 55
• 4.20.6 Shower Unit p. 55
• 4.20.7 Bathtub Enclosures p. 55
• 4.21 Shower Stalls p. 55
• 4.21.1 General p. 55
• 4.21.2 Size and Clearances p. 55
• 4.21.3 Seat p. 55
• 4.21.4 Grab Bars p. 56
• 4.21.5 Controls p. 56
• 4.21.6 Shower Unit p. 56
• 4.21.7 Curbs p. 56
• 4.21.8 Shower Enclosures p. 56
• 4.22 Toilet Rooms p. 56
• 4.22.1 Minimum Number p. 56
• 4.22.2 Doors p. 56
• 4.22.3 Clear Floor Space p. 56
• 4.22.4 Water Closets p. 57
• 4.22.5 Urinals p. 57
• 4.22.6 Lavatories and Mirrors p. 57
• 4.22.7 Controls and Dispensers p. 57
• 4.23 Bathrooms, Bathing Facilities, and Shower Rooms p. 57
• 4.23.1 Minimum Number p. 57
• 4.23.2 Doors p. 57
• 4.23.3 Clear Floor Space p. 57
• 4.23.4 Water Closets p. 58
• 4.23.5 Urinals p. 58
• 4.23.6 Lavatories and Mirrors p. 58
• 4.23.7 Controls and Dispensers p. 58
• 4.23.8 Bathing and Shower Facilities p. 58
• 4.23.9 Medicine Cabinets p. 58
• 4.24 Sinks p. 58
• 4.24.1 General p. 58
• 4.24.2 Height p. 58
• 4.24.3 Knee Clearance p. 59
• 4.24.4 Depth p. 59
• 4.24.5 Clear Floor Space p. 59
• 4.24.6 Exposed Pipes and Surfaces p. 59
• 4.24.7 Faucets p. 59
• 4.25 Storage p. 59
• 4.25.1 General p. 59
• 4.25.2 Clear Floor Space p. 59
• 4.25.3 Height p. 59
• 4.25.4 Hardware p. 60
• 4.26 Handrails, Grab Bars, and Tub and Shower Seats p. 60
• 4.26.1 General p. 60
• 4.26.2 Size and Spacing of Grab Bars and Handrails p. 60
• 4.26.3 Structural Strength p. 60
• 4.26.4 Eliminating Hazards p. 61
• 4.27 Controls and Operating Mechanisms p. 61
• 4.27.1 General p. 61
• 4.27.2 Clear Floor Space p. 61
• 4.27.3 Height p. 61
• 4.27.4 Operation p. 62
• 4.28 Alarms p. 62
• 4.28.1 General p. 62
• 4.28.2 Audible Alarms p. 62
• 4.28.3 Visual Alarms p. 62
• 4.28.4 Auxiliary Alarms p. 63
• 4.29 Detectable Warnings p. 63
• 4.29.1 General p. 63
• 4.29.2 Detectable Warnings on Walking Surfaces p. 64
• 4.29.3 Detectable Warnings on Doors to Hazardous Areas p. 64
• 4.29.4 Detectable Warnings at Stairs p. 64
• 4.29.5 Detectable Warnings at Hazardous Vehicular Areas p. 64
• 4.29.6 Detectable Warnings at Reflecting Pools p. 64
• 4.29.7 Standardization p. 64
• 4.30 Signage p. 64
• 4.30.1 General p. 64
• 4.30.2 Character Proportion p. 64
• 4.30.3 Character Height p. 65
• 4.30.4 Raised and Brailled Characters and Pictorial Symbol Signs (Pictograms) p. 65
• 4.30.5 Finish and Contrast p. 65
• 4.30.6 Mounting Location and Height p. 65
• 4.30.7 Symbols of Accessibility p. 66
• 4.30.8 Illumination Levels p. 66
• 4.31 Telephones p. 66
• 4.31.1 General p. 66
• 4.31.2 Clear Floor or Ground Space p. 66
• 4.31.3 Mounting Height p. 67
• 4.31.4 Protruding Objects p. 67
• 4.31.5 Hearing-Aid-Compatible and Volume-Control Telephones Required by 4.1 p. 67
• 4.31.6 Controls p. 67
• 4.31.7 Telephone Books p. 67
• 4.31.8 Cord Length p. 67
• 4.31.9 Text Telephones Required by 4.1 p. 67
• 4.32 Fixed or Built-in Seating and Tables p. 68
• 4.32.1 Minimum Number p. 68
• 4.32.2 Seating p. 68
• 4.32.3 Knee Clearances p. 68
• 4.32.4 Height of Tables or Counters p. 68
• 4.33 Assembly Areas p. 68
• 4.33.1 Minimum Number p. 68
• 4.33.2 Size of Wheelchair Locations p. 69
• 4.33.3 Placement of Wheelchair Locations p. 69
• 4.33.4 Surfaces p. 69
• 4.33.5 Access to Performing Areas p. 69
• 4.33.6 Placement of Listening Systems p. 69
• 4.33.7 Types of Listening Systems p. 69
• 4.34 Automated Teller Machines p. 70
• 4.34.1 General p. 70
• 4.34.2 Clear Floor Space p. 70
• 4.34.3 Reach Ranges p. 70
• 4.34.4 Controls p. 71
• 4.34.5 Equipment for Persons with Vision Impairments p. 71
• 4.35 Dressing and Fitting Rooms p. 72
• 4.35.1 General p. 72
• 4.35.2 Clear Floor Space p. 72
• 4.35.3 Doors p. 72
• 4.35.4 Bench p. 72
• 4.35.5 Mirror p. 72
• 5 Restaurants and Cafeterias p. 73
• 5.1 General p. 73
• 5.2 Counters and Bars p. 73
• 5.3 Access Aisles p. 73
• 5.4 Dining Areas p. 73
• 5.5 Food-Service Lines p. 74
• 5.6 Tableware and Condiment Areas p. 74
• 5.7 Raised Platforms p. 74
• 5.8 Vending Machines and Other Equipment p. 74
• 5.9 Quiet Areas p. 74
• 6 Medical-Care Facilities p. 74
• 6.1 General p. 74
• 6.2 Entrances p. 76
• 6.3 Patient Bedrooms p. 76
• 6.4 Patient Toilet Rooms p. 77
• 7 Business and Mercantile p. 77
• 7.1 General p. 77
• 7.2 Sales and Service Counters, Teller Windows, Information Counters p. 77
• 7.3 Check-out Aisles p. 78
• 7.4 Security Bollards p. 79
• 8 Libraries p. 79
• 8.1 General p. 79
• 8.2 Reading and Study Areas p. 79
• 8.3 Check-out Areas p. 79
• 8.4 Card Catalogs and Magazine Displays p. 80
• 8.5 Stacks p. 80
• 9 Accessible Transient Lodging p. 80
• 9.1 Hotels, Motels, Inns, Boarding Houses, Dormitories, Resorts and Other Similar Places of Transient Lodging p. 80
• 9.1.1 General p. 80
• 9.1.2 Accessible Units, Sleeping Rooms, and Suites p. 80
• 9.1.3 Sleeping Accommodations for Persons with Hearing Impairments p. 81
• 9.1.4 Classes of Sleeping Accommodations p. 81
• 9.1.5 Alterations to Accessible Units, Sleeping Rooms, and Suites p. 82
• 9.2 Requirements for Accessible Units, Sleeping Rooms, and Suites p. 82
• 9.2.1 General p. 82
• 9.2.2 Minimum Requirements p. 82
• 9.3 Visual Alarms, Notification Devices, and Telephones p. 84
• 9.3.1 General p. 84
• 9.3.2 Equivalent Facilitation p. 85
• 9.4 Other Sleeping Rooms and Suites p. 85
• 9.5 Transient Lodging in Homeless Shelters, Halfway Houses, Transient Group Homes, and Other Social-Services Establishments p. 85
• 9.5.1 New Construction p. 85
• 9.5.2 Alterations p. 85
• 9.5.3 Accessible Sleeping Accommodations in New Construction p. 87
• 10 Transportation Facilities p. 87
• 10.1 General p. 87
• 10.2 Bus Stops and Terminals p. 87
• 10.2.1 New Construction p. 87
• 10.2.2 Bus-Stop Siting and Alterations p. 88
• 10.3 Fixed Facilities and Stations p. 88
• 10.3.1 New Construction p. 88
• 10.3.2 Existing Facilities: Key Stations p. 93
• 10.3.3 Existing Facilities: Alterations p. 94
• 10.4 Airports
• 10.4.1 New Construction p. 95
• 10.5 Boat and Ferry Docks p. 96
• Appendix p. 97
• Table 1 Graphic Conventions p. 127
• Figures p. 128
• Figures (Appendix) p. 171