Does This Teller Counter Comply With The ADA Standards?

March 17, 2022 Clint Ryan

This image is from a bank that I inspected a while back. Unfortunately, they did not pay the original RAS to do the Plan Review or Inspection and they ended up getting a letter from the state threatening fines if they did not get them completed. They asked me to get involved. When I starting reviewing the construction documents I noticed that they showed the ADA portion of the teller counter being built incorrectly. When I got to the site I realized that it was built just like the drawings, which was not compliant. I hate to see this happen because I or any other RAS could have prevented this from happening.

As you can see from the image they built the back counter at 42” all the way across and then attached an “ADA” counter to the front of the millwork. However, the accessible portion is required to be the same depth as the adjacent surface. Also, the counter appears that it provides a forward approach, but the depth is not compliant for knee and toe clearance. These types of counters allow for a parallel approach, but the length of the counter must be 36” wide or the entire length of the counter must be 36” above the finish floor.

ADA Requirements:

Scoping (How Many):

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.

Advisory 227.3 Counters. Types of counters that provide different services in the same facility include, but are not limited to, order, pick-up, express, and returns. One continuous counter can be used to provide different types of service. For example, order and pick-up are different services. It would not be acceptable to provide access only to the part of the counter where orders are taken when orders are picked-up at a different location on the same counter. Both the order and pick-up section of the counter must be accessible.

Technical:

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.

EXCEPTION: Where the provided counter surface is less than 36 inches (915 mm) long, the entire counter surface shall be 36 inches (915 mm) high maximum above the finish floor.

904.4.2 Forward Approach. A portion of the counter surface that is 30 inches (760 mm) long minimum and 36 inches (915 mm) high maximum shall be provided. Knee and toe space complying with 306 shall be provided under the counter. A clear floor or ground space complying with 305 shall be positioned for a forward approach to the counter.

Feel free to posts any comments or questions.

Clint Ryan, RAS | Owner

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRAB BARS AT ACCESSIBLE BENCHES

May 1, 2019 Clint Ryan

Grab Bars at Bench Seat Is Not Allowed - ADA Accessibility

On recent shopping trips I have visited the accessible dressing rooms to see if they meet the accessibility requirements. They are usually done correctly, but there are some that have grab bars placed at the back support above the seat. The accessibility standards require that benches have back support located above the bench. A grab bar at the back sticking out from the wall 3" does not provide back support. Also, the standards state that grab bars shall not be placed on the seat back but on adjacent walls. They are not required, but they are recommended to assist people in wheelchairs in transferring to the bench. Also, it helps people who are not in wheelchairs get up and down off the bench, when they are placed on the side.

Review our previous Accessible Benches article for more information on all the requirements.

Allowed Placement of Grab Bars at Accessible Benches

REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBLE BENCHES AND WHICH ROOMS THEY ARE REQUIRED

September 1, 2018 Clint Ryan

Accessible benches were developed to allow people in wheelchairs to transfer to the bench for specific situations such as changing rooms or for saunas. Accessible benches are not required for outdoor areas. People in wheelchairs will use their chair to wait for a bus, rest at a park or shopping mall, or eat at a picnic table. Below we will go over the specific situations where accessible benches are required.

SAUNA & STEAM ROOMS

Required

If seating is provided, then at least one bench shall comply with the Benches section, see below. (612.2 Bench)
Doors cannot swing in the clear floor space required by benches unless the bench is readily removable. (612.2 Bench & Exception)

DRESSING, FITTING & LOCKER ROOMS

Required

A bench is required to be provided within the room. (803.4 Benches)
There are no requirements for additional benches or dispersion. You will only need one bench in a dressing, fitting & locker rooms.

HOLDING CELLS & HOUSING CELLS

Required

If a bench is provided, then at least one bench shall comply. (807.2.2 Benches)

BENCHES

Clear Floor Space

Clear floor or ground space complying with 305 shall be provided and shall be positioned at the end of the bench seat and parallel to the short axis of the bench. Refer to Figure A. (903.2 Clear Floor or Ground Space)

Figure A - Bench Clear Floor Space

Size

Benches shall have seats that are 42" long min & 20" deep min & 24" deep max. Refer to Figure B. (903.3 Size)

Figure B - Bench Seat Size

Back Support

The bench shall provide for back support or shall be affixed to a wall. Back support shall be 42" long min & shall extend from a point 2" max above the seat surface to a point 18" min above the seat surface. Back support shall be 2 1/2" max from the rear edge of the seat measured horizontally. Refer to Figure C. (903.4 Back Support)
To assist in transferring to the bench, consider providing grab bars on a wall adjacent to the bench, but not on the seat back. If provided, grab bars cannot obstruct transfer to the bench. (Advisory 903.4 Back Support)