What's Wrong With This Photo? - Drinking Fountain Non-Compliance with the ADA

Drinking Fountains in a Hotel Fitness Center

Recently while on a road trip I stopped at a hotel and eventually found my way into the fitness center for a little workout. I was pleased to see a dual set of drinking fountains, one for sitting individuals and one for standing. See the photo on the right. The two drinking fountains are required by the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards. But something is not right. What’s wrong?

HINT: Drinking fountains must provide a forward approach.

2010 ADA Standard 602.2, [Drinking Fountains] Clear Floor Space, states, “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.”

2010 ADA Standard 305.3, [Clear Floor or Ground Space] Size, states, “The clear floor or ground space shall be 30 inches (760 mm) minimum by 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum.” The graphic below is representative of a clear space.

Clear Space 30X48 Inches, Minimum

So at the installation above, the towel cabinet compromises the clear space at the drinking fountain for individuals in a wheelchair. The photo below shows this from a different angle.

Towel Cabinet Interferes with Drinking Fountain Clear Space

SUMMARY: Drinking fountain installations must have a clear space at each drinking fountain that provides for a forward approach to the fountains. Other elements such as towel cabinets and waste receptacles cannot be placed in the clear spaces.

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If you observe a facility that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

Thank you.