2019 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2020 with July 1, 2021 amendments)

11B-903 Benches

11B-903.1 General.

Benches shall comply with Section 11B-903.

Advisory 11B-903 Benches. This section provides the technical provisions for benches required to comply with Division 2 Scoping Requirements -- those in saunas, steam rooms, dressing, fitting and locker rooms, holding and housing cells and courtrooms. Requirements for benches provided at outdoor locations may be found in the Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way, California State Parks Accessibility Guidelines and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines; Outdoor Developed Areas. ◼

11B-903.2 Clear floor or ground space.

Clear floor or ground space complying with Section 11B-305 shall be provided and shall be positioned at the end of the bench seat and parallel to the short axis of the bench.

11B-903.3 Size.

Benches shall have seats that are 48 inches (1219 mm) long minimum and 20 inches (508 mm) deep minimum and 24 inches (610 mm) deep maximum.

[2010 ADA Standards] 903.3 Size. Benches shall have seats that are 42 inches (1065 mm) long minimum and 20 inches (510 mm) deep minimum and 24 inches (610 mm) deep maximum.

11B-903.4 Back support.

The bench shall provide for back support or shall be affixed to a wall along its long dimension. Back support shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) long minimum and shall extend from a point 2 inches (51 mm) maximum above the seat surface to a point 18 inches (457 mm) minimum above the seat surface. Back support shall be 2½ inches (64 mm) maximum from the rear edge of the seat measured horizontally.

[2010 ADA Standards] 903.4 Back Support. The bench shall provide for back support or shall be affixed to a wall. Back support shall be 42 inches (1065 mm) long minimum and shall extend from a point 2 inches (51 mm) maximum above the seat surface to a point 18 inches (455 mm) minimum above the seat surface. Back support shall be 2 1/2 inches maximum from the rear edge of the seat measured horizontally.

Advisory 11B-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. ◼

(a)

(b)

FIGURE 11B-903.4 BENCH BACK SUPPORT

11B-903.5 Height.

The top of the bench seat surface shall be 17 inches (432 mm) minimum and 19 inches (483 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.

11B-903.6 Structural strength.

Benches shall be affixed to the wall or floor. Allowable stresses shall not be exceeded for materials used when a vertical or horizontal force of 250 pounds (1112 N) is applied at any point on the seat, fastener, mounting device, or supporting structure.

[2010 ADA Standards] 903.6 Structural Strength. Allowable stresses shall not be exceeded for materials used when a vertical or horizontal force of 250 pounds (1112 N) is applied at any point on the seat, fastener, mounting device, or supporting structure.

11B-903.7 Wet locations.

Where installed in wet locations, the surface of the seat shall be slip resistant and shall not accumulate water.