Clearances: ADA Standard Section 1003.3

1003.3 Clearances.

Clearances at boat slips and on boarding piers at boat launch ramps shall comply with 1003.3.

Advisory 1003.3 Clearances. Although the minimum width of the clear pier space is 60 inches (1525 mm), it is recommended that piers be wider than 60 inches (1525 mm) to improve the safety for persons with disabilities, particularly on floating piers.

1003.3.1 Boat Slip Clearance.

Boat slips shall provide clear pier space 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum and at least as long as the boat slips. Each 10 feet (3050 mm) maximum of linear pier edge serving boat slips shall contain at least one continuous clear opening 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. Clear pier space shall be permitted to be 36 inches (915 mm) wide minimum for a length of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum, provided that multiple 36 inch (915 mm) wide segments are separated by segments that are 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum and 60 inches (1525 mm) long minimum.

2. Edge protection shall be permitted at the continuous clear openings, provided that it is 4 inches (100 mm) high maximum and 2 inches (51 mm) wide maximum.

3. In existing piers, clear pier space shall be permitted to be located perpendicular to the boat slip and shall extend the width of the boat slip, where the facility has at least one boat slip complying with 1003.3, and further compliance with 1003.3 would result in a reduction in the number of boat slips available or result in a reduction of the widths of existing slips.

Advisory 1003.3.1 Boat Slip Clearance Exception 3. Where the conditions in exception 3 are satisfied, existing facilities are only required to have one accessible boat slip with a pier clearance which runs the length of the slip. All other accessible slips are allowed to have the required pier clearance at the head of the slip. Under this exception, at piers with perpendicular boat slips, the width of most “finger piers” will remain unchanged. However, where mooring systems for floating piers are replaced as part of pier alteration projects, an opportunity may exist for increasing accessibility. Piers may be reconfigured to allow an increase in the number of wider finger piers, and serve as accessible boat slips.

Pier clearances are shown in plan view. Accessible boat slips are served by clear pier space 60 inches (1525 mm) long minimum and at least as long as the accessible boat slips. Every 10 feet (3050 mm) maximum of linear pier edge serving the accessible boat slips contains at least one continuous clear opening 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum long.

Figure 1003.3.1 Boat Slip Clearance

A plan view shows that the width of the clear pier space can be 36 inches (915 mm) wide minimum for a length of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum where multiple 36 inch (915 mm) wide segments are separated by clear segments 60 by 60 inches (1525 by 1525 mm) minimum.

Figure 1003.3.1 (Exception 1) Clear Pier Space Reduction at Boat Slips

An elevation drawing shows pier edge protection that is 4 inches (100 mm) high maximum and 2 inches (51 mm) thick maximum.

Figure 1003.3.1 (Exception 2) Edge Protection at Boat Slips

1003.3.2 Boarding Pier Clearances.

Boarding piers at boat launch ramps shall provide clear pier space 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum and shall extend the full length of the boarding pier. Every 10 feet (3050 mm) maximum of linear pier edge shall contain at least one continuous clear opening 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. The clear pier space shall be permitted to be 36 inches (915 mm) wide minimum for a length of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum provided that multiple 36 inch (915 mm) wide segments are separated by segments that are 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum and 60 inches (1525 mm) long minimum.

2. Edge protection shall be permitted at the continuous clear openings provided that it is 4 inches (100 mm) high maximum and 2 inches (51 mm) wide maximum.

Advisory 1003.3.2 Boarding Pier Clearances. These requirements do not establish a minimum length for accessible boarding piers at boat launch ramps. The accessible boarding pier should have a length at least equal to that of other boarding piers provided at the facility. If no other boarding pier is provided, the pier would have a length equal to what would have been provided if no access requirements applied. The entire length of accessible boarding piers would be required to comply with the same technical provisions that apply to accessible boat slips. For example, at a launch ramp, if a 20 foot (6100 mm) long accessible boarding pier is provided, the entire 20 feet (6100 mm) must comply with the pier clearance requirements in 1003.3. Likewise, if a 60 foot (18 m) long accessible boarding pier is provided, the pier clearance requirements in 1003.3 would apply to the entire 60 feet (18 m). The following example applies to a boat launch ramp boarding pier: A chain of floats is provided on a launch ramp to be used as a boarding pier which is required to be accessible by 1003.3.2. At high water, the entire chain is floating and a transition plate connects the first float to the surface of the launch ramp. As the water level decreases, segments of the chain end up resting on the launch ramp surface, matching the slope of the launch ramp.

Pier clearances are shown in plan view. Accessible boarding pier at a boat launch ramp has clear pier space 60 inches (1525 mm) long minimum, the full length of the boarding pier. Every 10 feet (3050 mm) maximum of linear pier edge contains at least one continuous clear opening 60 inches (1525 mm) long minimum.

Figure 1003.3.2 Boarding Pier Clearance

Figure 1003.3.2 (Exception 1) Clear Pier Space Reduction at Boarding Piers

Figure 1003.3.2 (Exception 2) Edge Protection at Boarding Piers

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2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide

1003.3 Clearances.

1003.3.1 Boat Slip Clearance.

1003.3.2 Boarding Pier Clearances.

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