While researching some seating row spacing I came across some graphics from a vendor.

I elected not to show the graphics due to possible copyright issues.  So I will try to describe the graphics as it relates to the accessible seating in auditorium fixed seating.

Graphic description of level seating;

The seating area shows rows to have access aisle at either end of a row and there are six rows.  Seating is not tired type seating but more of a courtroom audience layout.  The wheelchair seating floor area at the end of a row of seats takes up two rows at each location.  The back row has one wheelchair seat space at the end of the rows and is accessed via an accessible route from the back or side.  The other wheelchair seat occurs at the end of the front two rows and is accessed from the side at the row’s end.  Graphically one wheelchair floor space takes up two rows so you are probably looking at a 60” deep floor space.  This causes the row’s ends to stop at the wheelchair leaving the other end of the row access to the access aisle.  So if you have a wheelchair occupying the end floor space, one row of seats has only one way out and the other forward row may not even have the required 12” minimum clearance in front of the wheelchair’s required floor space.

Issues;

The back row of accessible seating does have rear approach from an accessible route but the alignment to the companion seat is not shoulder aligned (ref: 2010 ADA Standards 802.3.1).  Not sure of the floor space dimensions to check for side approach from an accessible route which has to be a floor area of 36” x 60” for the wheelchair (ref: 2010 ADA Standards 802.1.3).  Therefore, the floor area for the front seating would be from the side.  Front or back approach from an accessible route requires a floor area of 36” x 48” for the wheelchair (ref: 2010 ADA Standards 802.1.3).  Neither have shoulder alignment (ref: 2010 ADA Standards 802.3.1).  The 36” width is because they are single wheelchair spaces (ref: 2010 ADA Standards 802.2.2).

To do shoulder alignment and not have part of the wheelchair space be in the code required circulation or accessible route paths (ref: 2010 ADA Standards 802.1.4 & 802.1.5) will change the back of seat to back of seat / row spacing.  Code required circulation in front of the seats would be 12” minimum for seating under 14-seats in a row when the row is open to aisle on each end.

Graphic description of Tired seating;

Tired seating with intermediate levels as possible cross aisles.  The rear accessible seat occurs at the end of rows on the aisle side at the back of the auditorium.  Center seating with end aisles and side seating with dead end row seating on each side of the aisles adjacent to the Center seating.  Wheelchair space is shown as side approach with the front all the way up to the back of the seat in front of the accessible space at the rear row.  Shoulder alignment with companion seating is not apparent nor is the required 12” egress from the other seats in the row beyond the side of the wheelchair space.  The intermediate row does have an accessible route for a rear approach and has shoulder alignment.  However, there are not any shown accessible access routes to this level via ramps or doors.

Issues;

At the rear back rows the layout causes some of the other seats not to have the 12” egress route because the wheelchair blocks the route (ref: 2010 ADA Standards 802.1.4 & 802.1.5).  Does not appear to have shoulder alignment on the back row and the spaces would require side approach requiring a 36” x 60” floor area space (ref: 2010 ADA Standards 802.2.2).  Intermediate level where is the accessible route?

Graphic description;

Front of Auditorium has accessible seating at the aisle sides of the side seating and center seating.  The center seating has an accessible seat space in the center of the first/front row.  Beyond the front row there is enough space for a cross aisle which also has beyond the cross aisle, steps going to the stage.  The front row accessible seating would have front access via the cross aisle in front of the seating.  The entire plan of the auditorium layout does not even show how the wheelchair areas are accessed to the mid-level, stage and the front row.  I guess levitation is at work here.  There was not in the graphics any ramps or doors to these accessible levels other than at the back. 

There are only two exit doors which are at the back.  I doubt that the diagonal rule for the exits remoteness is in compliance.  Probably needs an exit at the front.

Issues:

Accessible route to the accessible seating level and is needed to the stage.  Exit remoteness is in question also.

Like I said I know it is just an illustration from a seating vendor.