36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines - Preamble (Discussion of Comments and Changes)

803 Dressing, Fitting, and Locker Rooms

Requirements for dressing rooms, fitting rooms, and locker rooms are contained in section 803.

Comment. Section 803.2 requires wheelchair turning space in accessible rooms. In the proposed rule, an exception to this provision noted that a portion of this space (6 inches maximum) could extend under partitions or openings without doors that provide toe clearance at least 9 inches high. Many comments opposed this exception since, as written, it would allow a 6 inch portion of the 5 foot turning space on both sides to be located beyond two side partitions, possibly resulting in dressing or fitting rooms that are only 4 feet wide.

Response. This exception concerning wheelchair turning space has been removed in the final rule (803.2). Requirements for wheelchair turning space in section 304 specify dimensions and recognize knee and toe space. However, permitted overlaps are limited. For example, an object with knee and toe clearance can overlap only one arm or the base of T-shaped turning space (304.3.2).

The proposed rule prohibited doors from swinging into the turning space (803.3). In the final rule, the Board has revised this requirement for consistency with the ANSI A117.1 standard. As revised, this provision permits doors to swing into the room where wheelchair space beyond the arc of the door swing is provided. This specification is consistent with provisions for single-user toilet rooms and bathrooms (603.2.3, Exception 2).