ADA Construction Specs
- Building and facilities require a minimum of one accessible route, located on the grounds of the structure. The route may lead from public transportation stops, public streets or sidewalks, accessible parking spaces or passenger loading zones. The floor or ground area must have minimum dimensions of 30 inches wide by 48 inches long to accommodate a single stationary wheelchair and the individual.
The accessible route leading to the building's entrance, such as walks, halls, corridors, aisles, skywalks, tunnels and other spaces, a minimum clear width of a 36 inches. When the accessible route has less than 60 inches clear width, the builder must locate passing spaces of at least 60-by-60-inch dimensions, placed at minimum 200-foot intervals along the route. - ADA further requires doorways to have a minimum clear opening of 32 inches with the door open 90 degrees --- from the face of the door to the doorstop located on the opposite side. Door thresholds cannot exceed a height of 3/4 inches or ½ inch for sliding doors. The door hardware, such as handles, pulls, latches, locks and other devices must have shapes that a disable person can easily grasp with one hand. The device cannot require tight grasping or twist of the wrist to open or close. The contractor can install lever-operated, push-type or U-shaped mechanisms.
- ADA requires the design feature must assure the location of accessible units, sleeping rooms and suites along accessible routes. Sleeping rooms must have at least 36 inches of clear width space to maneuver a wheelchair on both sides of the bed. When two beds exist, the rules require 36 inches of space between the two beds. Built-in cabinets, shelves, closet drawers and other storage facilities must allow a forward or parallel clear floor space of 30 inches wide by 48 inches long. This allows a person in a wheelchair the minimum area to maneuver. The spaces must have a forward-reach range 15 inches low to 48 inches high or a side reach of 9 inches low to 54 inches high.
- At least one toilet stall must have a minimum depth of 56 inches and have a wall-mounted toilet. The stall must have a minimum 59-inch depth for a floor-mounted toilet. The front partition of the stall must have at least 9 inches of toe clearance above the floor surface. This requirement does not apply for stalls with a depth of 60 or more inches. The stall requires 42-inch door clearance on the door side of the stall. Toilets not in the stall must have a 12- to 18-inch clearance from partitions or sidewalls. The height of the toilet must meet the rule of 11 to 17 inches from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. Do not install seats sprung to return to a lift position. Mount flush valve controls on the wide side of the toilets a maximum of 36 inches above the floor surface.