36 CFR Part 1195 Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment NPRM

M303 Diagnostic Equipment Used by Patients Seated in a Wheelchair

M303.1 General.

Diagnostic equipment used by patients seated in a wheelchair shall comply with M303.

M303.2 Wheelchair Spaces.

A wheelchair space complying with M303.2 shall be provided at diagnostic equipment.

M303.2.1 Orientation.

Wheelchair spaces shall be designed so that a patient seated in a wheelchair orients in the same direction that a patient not seated in a wheelchair orients when the diagnostic equipment is in use.

M303.2.2 Width.

Wheelchair spaces shall be 36 inches (915 mm) wide minimum.

M303.2.3 Depth.

Where wheelchair spaces can be entered from the front or rear, the wheelchair space shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) deep minimum. Where wheelchair spaces can be entered only from the side, the wheelchair space shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) deep minimum.

M303.2.4 Knee and Toe Clearance.

Wheelchair spaces shall include knee and toe clearance complying with M303.2.4. The depth of the wheelchair space shall include knee and toe clearance of 17 inches (430 mm) minimum and 25 inches (635 mm) maximum. Knee and toe clearance under breast platforms shall be 25 inches (635 mm) deep.

M303.2.4.1 Toe Clearance.

Toe clearance shall be provided at a height of 9 inches (230 mm) above the floor to a depth of 6 inches (150 mm) maximum.

M303.2.4.2 Knee Clearance.

Knee clearance shall be provided at a depth of 11 inches (280 mm) minimum and 25 inches (635 mm) maximum at 9 inches (230 mm) above the floor and at a depth of 8 inches (205 mm) minimum at 27 inches (685 mm) above the floor. Between 9 inches (230 mm) and 27 inches (685 mm) above the floor, the knee clearance shall be permitted to reduce at a rate of 1 inch (25 mm) in depth for every 6 inches (150 mm) in height.

M303.2.5 Surfaces.

Wheelchair space surfaces shall not slope more than 1:48 in any direction.

M303.3 Entry.

Where there is a change in level at the entry to a wheelchair space, the change in level shall comply with M303.3.

M303.3.1 Vertical.

Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical.

M303.3.2 Beveled.

Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high and ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2.

M303.3.3 Ramped.

Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped and shall comply with M303.3.3.

M303.3.3.1 Running Slope.

Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12.

M303.3.3.2 Cross Slope.

The cross slope of ramp runs shall not be steeper than 1:48.

M303.3.3.3 Clear Width.

The clear width of ramp runs shall be 36 inches (915 mm) minimum.

M303.3.3.4 Edge Protection.

Ramps with drop offs ½ inch (13 mm) or greater shall provide edge protection 2 inches (50 mm) high minimum on each side.

M303.3.3.5 Handrails.

Ramps with a rise greater than 6 inches (150 mm) shall provide handrails on each side.

M303.4 Components.

Where components of diagnostic equipment are used to examine specific body parts, the components shall be capable of examining the body parts of a patient seated in a wheelchair. Breast platforms shall comply with M303.4.1.

M303.4.1 Breast Platforms.

The height of the breast platform shall be 30 inches (760 mm) high minimum and 42 inches (1065 mm) high maximum above the floor when in use by a patient seated in a wheelchair.