ADA requirement for 13ft deep hallway with dead end

[wrx1]

Hi, if there’s a hallway that’s 13 feet long and 42 inches wide, leading to two offices with glass doors that are sometimes locked, do I need to provide a turn radius at the end of that dead-end hallway?

 

[RLGA]

The ADA Standards, ABA Standards, and ANSI A117.1 are silent on this issue. Thus, there is no requirement to provide a turning space at the end of a dead end corridor, and I have never been asked to provide one for a dead end corridor with a width of less than 60 inches.

 

[wrx1]

The ADA Standards, ABA Standards, and ANSI A117.1 are silent on this issue. Thus, there is no requirement to provide a turning space at the end of a dead end corridor, and I have never been asked to provide one for a dead end corridor with a width of less than 60 inches.

Thank you for your response. If there anyway you can please provide me with a reference for this? Because as I was reading ADA Chapter 3: Turning Spaces, it implies that it is mandatory.

 

[tbz]

I would suggest you direct to source, as this is a grey/silent area discussed, but not definitive.

Your best option is to get a written response from the access-board or the DOJ directly, to include in the file showing you asked.

• Access Board Technical Assistance: https://www.access-board.gov/ta/
• DOJ website for ADA: https://www.ada.gov/

On the flip side when you think it could be an issue, remember there is nothing in the standard(s) or code(s) that says only design for the minimum, and nothing more.

 

[steveray]

Do you have the maneuvering clearance at the doors? Do they swing out?

 

[wrx1]

Do you have the maneuvering clearance at the doors? Do they swing out?

They swing in. Check the attached example

 

[Sifu]

I have encountered this a few times, usually in small offices or B/A2 establishments like a donut or coffee shop. I researched it quite a bit and could find no citation to back it up. The issues I have seen are where a short access hall leads to toilet room(s). The first thought is that they can turn around once in the toilet. The second though was what if the toilet is in use and they must retreat. I have never found anything that I could nail down as a requirement for a turning space. If there is something out there I would love to see it. To me this is an issue. I think I may have even brought the discussion to the forum, but so far can't locate it.

 

[Sifu]

Here it is. But it looks like you posted there anyway.

Thread 'Turning space at the end of a corridor.'

Nov 23, 2020

I have a corridor with a restroom at the end. It is a straight shot to the push door. Closer isn't provided so 0" side clearance. The corridor is 3'8" wide. If someone in a W/C or on crutches goes down the corridor to find the restroom is occupied they may not be able to turn around, or if a person exits the room while the next user is at the door or in the corridor it could be a problem. I don't see anything that specifically requires a passing or turning space for this condition. Am I missing something?

• Sifu
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Accessibility Codes

 

[RLGA]

Thank you for your response. If there anyway you can please provide me with a reference for this? Because as I was reading ADA Chapter 3: Turning Spaces, it implies that it is mandatory.

As I stated above, the code is silent, which means it does not address the issue at all, so there is nothing to cite. I would follow @tbz's advice. I have found the Access Board Technical Assistance to be very responsive.

 

[arwat23]

Thank you for your response. If there anyway you can please provide me with a reference for this? Because as I was reading ADA Chapter 3: Turning Spaces, it implies that it is mandatory.

Ch3 of the ADA doesn't specify where the turning space is required. It's just listing the technical requirements for what a turning space is when it's required by another section. A turning space is only required where specifically called for in a different section of code.

Like RLGA said, if code doesn't address it, it's not required. Having turning space would be ideal - nothing wrong with going above the minimum requirements - but it's not required.