36 CFR Part 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Emergency Transportable Housing Units

205 Operable Parts
F205 Operable Parts

These sections require operable parts located on accessible elements and accessible routes and in accessible rooms and spaces to comply with the technical requirements for operable parts, including clear floor space, reach ranges, and operation. The sections contain several exceptions. As discussed below, the final rule revises Exception 3 and adds Exceptions 9, 10, and 11 to the sections.

Exception 3 (Electrical Outlets in Kitchen)

Where two or more electrical outlets are provided in a kitchen above a length of counter top that is uninterrupted by a sink or appliance, Exception 3 does not require one of the outlets to comply with the technical requirements for operable parts. Kitchens in emergency transportable housing units typically have fewer electrical outlets than kitchens in other types of residential dwelling units. The final rule revises Exception 3 so that it does not apply to emergency transportable housing units required to provide mobility features.

Exception 9 (Residential Dwelling Units and Transient Lodging Guest Rooms Not Required to Provide Mobility Features)

The final rule adds Exception 9 for residential dwelling units and transient lodging guest rooms that are not required to provide mobility features. Exception 9 clarifies that operable parts in these units are not required to comply with the technical requirements for operable parts.

Exception 10 (Operable Parts Beneath Emergency Transportable Housing Units)

The final rule adds Exception 10 for operable parts located beneath the body of emergency transportable housing units required to provide mobility features. These operable parts are typically used by service personnel for maintenance purposes and are not intended to be used by the occupants of the emergency transportable housing units. Exception 10 does not require these operable parts to comply with the technical requirements for operable parts.

Exception 11 (Water Shut-Off Valves)

The final rule adds Exception 11 for water shut-off valves. Water shut-off valves are typically located beneath sinks and toilets, and do not meet the technical requirements for clear floor space and reach ranges. The proposed rule would not have required water-shut off valves in emergency transportable housing units with mobility features to comply with the technical requirements for operable parts where a single shut-off valve complying with the technical requirements for clear floor space and reach ranges is provided for the entire unit. The final rule does not require water shut-off valves in any type of occupancy to comply with the technical requirements for operable parts. Since we do not know whether it is feasible to provide a single water shut-off valve in all other occupancies, the final rule does not require a single water shut-off valve to be provided in order to use Exception 11.