36 CFR Part 1191 ABA Accessibility Guidelines, Outdoor Developed Areas - Preamble

1011 Outdoor Constructed Features

1011.1 General

This section contains the technical requirements for outdoor constructed features provided within camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas, and trailheads or on trails. All outdoor constructed features are required to comply with the provisions for clear ground space (1011.2) and operable parts (1011.3). The section includes specific provisions for picnic tables (1011.4); fire rings, grills, fireplaces, and woodstoves (1011.5); water spouts at water hydrants and water utility hook-ups (1011.6); outdoor rinsing showers (1011.7); and viewing scopes (1011.8).

1011.2 Clear Ground Space

This section requires a clear ground space to be provided at outdoor constructed features and includes specific provisions for the size and location (1011.2.1), surface (1011.2.2), slope (1011.2.3), and openings (1011.2.4).

1011.2.1 Size and Location

This section specifies the size and location of the clear ground space at outdoor constructed features. The size of the clear ground space is based on the dimensions for maneuvering clearance at clear floor or ground spaces that are confined on all or part of three sides in 305.7 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines. Outdoor constructed features can be confined on all or part of three sides by surfaces that are not firm and stable or that have changes in level. The dimensions for maneuvering clearance at clear floor or ground spaces that are confined on all or part of three sides in 305.7 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines provide additional space for maneuvering into and out of the space: 36 inches minimum by 48 inches minimum for a forward approach, and 30 inches minimum by 60 inches minimum for a parallel approach. At water hydrants, a clear ground space for a forward approach is required on each side of the water hydrant to enable individuals with disabilities to operate the water hydrant from their right side or left side. At rinsing showers, the size of the clear ground space is based on the dimensions for turning space in 304.3.1 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines to enable individuals with disabilities to turn in the space.

At picnic tables, fire rings, grills, fireplaces, and woodstoves, a clear ground space is required on all usable sides of the element. The usable sides of these elements are the sides that can be used for eating or serving food, building a fire, or cooking. All sides of picnic tables are generally usable, unless the picnic table is placed against a rock or tree that renders the side against the rock or tree not usable. All sides of fire rings and grills are generally usable, unless there is a wall or other structure on a side that renders the side not usable. The front sides of fireplaces and woodstoves are generally the usable side.

1011.2.2 Surface

This section requires the surface of the clear ground space to be firm and stable.

1011.2.3 Slope

This section requires the slope of the clear ground space to not be steeper than 1:48 in any direction. Where the surface is other than asphalt, concrete, or boards, slopes not steeper than 1:20 are permitted when necessary for drainage.

1011.2.4 Openings

This section requires openings in the clear ground space such as drainage grates to not allow passage of a sphere more than 1/2 inch in diameter. Where possible, drainage grates should be located outside of the clear ground space. Elongated openings should be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular, or as close to perpendicular as possible, to the dominant direction of travel.

1011.3 Operable Parts

This section requires operable parts of outdoor constructed features to comply with the technical requirements for the height of operable parts in 309.3 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines, which require operable parts to be placed within the reach ranges specified in 308 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines; and the technical requirements for operation in 309.4 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines, which require operable parts to be operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist and with not more than 5 pounds force.

Four exceptions are provided. Exception 1 requires fire rings, grills, fireplaces, wood stoves, water hydrants, and water utility hook-ups to comply with the technical requirements for operation in 309.4 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines to the extent practicable. Exception 2 requires trash and recycling receptacles with hinged lids and controls to keep out large animals to comply with the technical requirements for operation in 309.4 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines to the extent practicable. Exception 3 exempts dumpster type trash and recycling receptacles from complying with the technical requirements for the height of operable parts in 309.3 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines and the technical requirements for operation in 309.4 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines. Exception 4 exempts sewage hatches from complying with the technical requirements for the height of operable parts in 309.3 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines and the technical requirements for operation in 309.4 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines.

New products may be developed with operable parts that comply with the technical requirements for operation in 309.4 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines. As products that comply with the technical requirements for operation in 309.4 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines become available, entities should provide these products to enable individuals with disabilities to operate them.

1011.4 Picnic Tables

This section requires picnic tables to comply with the technical requirements for dining surfaces in 902.3 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines, which requires the tops of dining surfaces to be 28 inches minimum and 34 inches maximum above the ground. The section also requires at least one wheelchair space to be provided for each 24 linear feet of usable picnic table surface perimeter. Wheelchair spaces are required to be 30 inches minimum by 48 inches minimum; be positioned for a forward approach to the table; and provide knee and toe clearance complying with 306 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines under the table.

1011.5 Fire Rings, Grills, Fireplaces, and Wood Stoves

This section requires fire building surfaces to be 9 inches minimum above the ground, and cooking surfaces to be 15 inches minimum and 34 inches maximum above the ground. Where fire rings, grills, or fireplaces are constructed with raised edges or walls, the depth of the raised edge or wall is required to be 10 inches maximum. Fire rings with double walls or insulation on the sides are recommended to prevent burns.

1011.6 Water Spouts

This section requires water spouts at water hydrants and water utility hook-ups to be 28 inches minimum and 36 inches maximum above the ground.

1011.7 Outdoor Rinsing Showers

This section requires outdoor rinsing showers to provide at least one hand-held shower spray unit with a hose 59 inches long minimum. The hand-held shower spray unit is required to have at least one fixed position located 15 inches minimum and 48 inches maximum above the ground. Where vandalism is a consideration, a fixed shower head located 48 inches above the ground is permitted in place of a hand-held shower spray unit.

1011.8 Viewing Scopes

This section requires eyepieces on viewing scopes to be 43 inches minimum and 51 inches maximum above the ground.