Windows - An Often Overlooked ADA Requirement

[jar546]

229 Windows​

229.1 General​

Where glazed openings are provided in accessible rooms or spaces for operation by occupants, at least one opening shall comply with 309. Each glazed opening required by an administrative authority to be operable shall comply with 309.

EXCEPTION:
1. Glazed openings in residential dwelling units required to comply with 809 shall not be required to comply with 229.

2. Glazed openings in guest rooms required to provide communication features and in guest rooms required to comply with 206.5.3 shall not be required to comply with 229.

309 Operable Parts​

309.1 General​

Operable parts shall comply with 309.

309.2 Clear Floor Space​

A clear floor or ground space complying with 305 shall be provided.

309.3 Height​

Operable parts shall be placed within one or more of the reach ranges specified in 308.

309.4 Operation​

Operable parts shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.

EXCEPTION: Gas pump nozzles shall not be required to provide operable parts that have an activating force of 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.

 

[steveray]

The height and force is always an issue....

 

[Jean Tessmer-HI]

229 Windows​

229.1 General​

Where glazed openings are provided in accessible rooms or spaces for operation by occupants, at least one opening shall comply with 309. Each glazed opening required by an administrative authority to be operable shall comply with 309.

EXCEPTION:
1. Glazed openings in residential dwelling units required to comply with 809 shall not be required to comply with 229.

2. Glazed openings in guest rooms required to provide communication features and in guest rooms required to comply with 206.5.3 shall not be required to comply with 229.

309 Operable Parts​

309.1 General​

Operable parts shall comply with 309.

309.2 Clear Floor Space​

A clear floor or ground space complying with 305 shall be provided.

309.3 Height​

Operable parts shall be placed within one or more of the reach ranges specified in 308.

309.4 Operation​

Operable parts shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.

EXCEPTION: Gas pump nozzles shall not be required to provide operable parts that have an activating force of 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.

Very commonly are lever door hardware with the pinch to twist thumb turn lock, instead of the push to lock move lever to release lock. And wheelchair showers with the control to move the handheld shower up and down all requiring tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, and more than 5 pounds to operate. This includes that one window required to be operable with a clear floor approach space side or forward approach as defined in the law.

 

[Yikes]

This includes that one window required to be operable with a clear floor approach space side or forward approach as defined in the law.

Where is there a requirement for at least one window to be operable?