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

DIVISION 9: BUILT-IN ELEMENTS

11B-901 General

11B-901.1 Scope.

The provisions of Division 9 shall apply where required by Division 2 or where referenced by a requirement in this chapter.

11B-902 Dining surfaces and work surfaces

11B-902.1 General.

Dining surfaces and work surfaces shall comply with Sections 11B-902.2 and 11B-902.3.

Exception: Dining surfaces and work surfaces for children’s use shall be permitted to comply with Section 11B-902.4.

Advisory 11B-902.1 General. Dining surfaces include, but are not limited to, bars, tables, lunch counters, and booths. Examples of work surfaces include writing surfaces, study carrels, student laboratory stations, baby changing and other tables or fixtures for personal grooming, coupon counters, and where covered by the ABA scoping provisions, employee work stations. ◼

11B-902.2 Clear floor or ground space.

A clear floor space complying with Section 11B-305 positioned for a forward approach shall be provided. Knee and toe clearance complying with Section 11B-306 shall be provided.

11B-902.3 Height.

The tops of dining surfaces and work surfaces shall be 28 inches (711 mm) minimum and 34 inches (864 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.

11B-902.4 Dining surfaces and work surfaces for children’s use.

Accessible dining surfaces and work surfaces for children’s use shall comply with Section 11B-902.4.

Exception: Dining surfaces and work surfaces that are used primarily by children 5 years and younger shall not be required to comply with Section 11B-902.4 where a clear floor or ground space complying with Section 11B-305 positioned for a parallel approach is provided. 

11B-902.4.1 Clear floor or ground space.

A clear floor space complying with Section 11B-305 positioned for forward approach shall be provided. Knee and toe clearance complying with Section 11B-306 shall be provided, except that knee clearance 24 inches (610 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground shall be permitted.

11B-902.4.2 Height.

The tops of tables and counters shall be 26 inches (660 mm) minimum and 30 inches (762 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.

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.

11B-904 Check-out aisles and sales and service counters

11B-904.1 General.

Check-out aisles and sales and service counters shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 11B-904.

11B-904.2 Approach.

All portions of counters required to comply with Section 11B-904 shall be located adjacent to a walking surface complying with Section 11B-403.

Advisory 11B-904.2 Approach. If a cash register is provided at the sales or service counter, locate the accessible counter close to the cash register so that a person using a wheelchair is visible to sales or service personnel and to minimize the reach for a person with a disability. ◼

11B-904.3 Check-out aisles.

Check-out aisles shall comply with Section 11B-904.3.

11B-904.3.1 Aisle.

Aisles shall comply with Section 11B-403.

11B-904.3.2 Counter.

The counter surface height shall be 38 inches (965 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground. The top of the counter edge protection shall be 2 inches (51 mm) maximum above the top of the counter surface on the aisle side of the check-out counter.

FIGURE 11B-904.3.2 CHECK-OUT AISLE COUNTERS

11B-904.3.3 Check writing surfaces.

Where provided, check writing surfaces shall comply with Section 11B-902.3.

11B-904.3.4 Identification sign.

When not all check-out aisles are accessible, accessible check-out aisles shall be identified by a sign clearly visible to a person in a wheelchair displaying the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1. The sign shall be a minimum of 4 inches by 4 inches (102 mm by 102 mm).

11B-904.4 Sales and service counters.

Sales counters and service counters shall comply with Section 11B-904.4.1 or 11B-904.4.2. The accessible portion of the counter top shall extend the same depth as the sales or service counter top.

Exception: In alterations, when the provision of a counter complying with Section 11B-904.4 would result in a reduction of the number of existing counters at work stations or a reduction of the number of existing mail boxes, the counter shall be permitted to have a portion which is 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum complying with Section 11B-904.4.1 provided that the required clear floor or ground space is centered on the accessible length of the counter.

FIGURE 11B-904.4 (EXCEPTION) ALTERATION OF SALES AND SERVICE COUNTERS

11B-904.4.1 Parallel approach.

A portion of the counter surface that is 36 inches (914 mm) long minimum and 34 inches (864 mm) high maximum above the finish floor shall be provided. A clear floor or ground space complying with Section 11B-305 shall be positioned for a parallel approach adjacent to the 36 inch (914 mm) minimum length of counter.

[2010 ADA Standards] 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 (914 mm) long, the entire counter surface shall be 34 inches (864 mm) high maximum above the finish floor.

[2010 ADA Standards] 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.

11B-904.4.2 Forward approach.

A portion of the counter surface that is 36 inches (914 mm) long minimum and 34 inches (864 mm) high maximum shall be provided. Knee and toe space complying with Section 11B-306 shall be provided under the counter. A clear floor or ground space complying with Section 11B-305 shall be positioned for a forward approach to the counter.

[2010 ADA Standards] 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.

11B-904.5 Food service lines.

Counters in food service lines shall comply with Section 11B-904.5.

11B-904.5.1 Self-service shelves and dispensing devices.

Self-service shelves and dispensing devices for tableware, dishware, condiments, food and beverages shall comply with Section 11B-308.

11B-904.5.2 Tray slides.

The tops of tray slides shall be 28 inches (711 mm) minimum and 34 inches (864 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.

Where counters or teller windows have security glazing to separate personnel from the public, a method to facilitate voice communication shall be provided. Telephone handset devices, if provided, shall comply with Section 11B-704.3.

Advisory 904.6 Security glazing. Assistive listening devices complying with Section 11B-706 can facilitate voice communication at counters or teller windows where there is security glazing which promotes distortion in audible information. Where assistive listening devices are installed, place signs complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.4 to identify those facilities which are so equipped. Other voice communication methods include, but are not limited to, grilles, slats, talk-through baffles, intercoms, or telephone handset devices. ◼