Car wash vacuum stall

[Sifu]

IBC 1103.1 broadly requires accessibility to facilities. By definition I think a vacuum stall at a car wash is a facility. Beyond that I find no scoping or technical criteria. I don't see the stall as a parking space. So what scoping would be applied? 5% or minimum of 1? Controls are easy enough, but what about a route around the car? I can ask to see an accessible vacuum stall, but I'm not sure what it should look like.

 

[e hilton]

Would you require that a wheelchair could spin around on the side of the car to go back the other way without going out of the stall to turn around? Probably. No slope to a drain in the middle of the stall, to keep the pavement flat.

 

[Sifu]

Would you require that a wheelchair could spin around on the side of the car to go back the other way without going out of the stall to turn around? Probably. No slope to a drain in the middle of the stall, to keep the pavement flat.

I don't know. What seems to make some sense is an accessible route around the car and accessible controls but that would be one very large space!. I have two unrelated facilities right now. One clearly indicates the knowledge of the dilemma with an "ADA Vacuum Stall" and this statement: "G.C to ensure all locations shown will not impede 4'0" min. ADA clear paths". Yet it provides a single 9' stall (hemmed in on both sides by curbs and equipment, and only a 5' aisle (on the other side of the curb/equipment). So an A for effort, F for execution since this is apparently suppose to double as the single required accessible parking (van) space. The other doesn't even make an attempt, although at least it has a separate (yet not code compliant) accessible parking space. Both are boom type stalls.

My comment would be to provide some (unknown) amount of accessible vacuum facility, but if they did I don't really have any technical provisions for them beyond a route and controls. Or, is it a best practice without a code requirement for accessibility at all. FWIW my internet searches only turned up a few that even mention this. One facility tries to provide accessible vacuum stalls (no details) but also offers to have an employee do it free of charge if you are unable to.

 

[steveray]

I'd go for 1....flat-ish and not worry about much else....

 

[Sifu]

Without scoping or technical provisions I am not making any comments about accessible vacuum spaces.

 

[steveray]

Push it to the designer with a "you might want to....." or "how are you accommodating."?..... and keep that in writing.....just a thought...

 

[north star]

@ ~ @

Sifu, ...regarding the Accessibility requirements for a Car Vacuum Stall,
I would think that the ADA Standards of Ch. 3 - Building Blocks,
...Ch. 4 - Accessible Routes, ...Ch. 5 - General Site and Building Elements,
...Ch. 7 - Communication Elements and Features ( i.e. - signage &
product vending machines ) could be used to design a Van Accessible
Parking Stall ( i.e. - a primary purpose of a public business ) to accommodate
wheelchair users, or others with impairments.

The Sections listed have plenty of dimensions and guidance to design
something.................IMO, while it is not a typical application, it could
be designed to be compliant.

@ ~ @

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Did a car wash and they had the required amount of Accessible Parking but none were required where the vacuums were per 2018 code.
The same for pick up only, tire air pumps and charging spaces.

 

[Sifu]

@ ~ @

Sifu, ...regarding the Accessibility requirements for a Car Vacuum Stall,
I would think that the ADA Standards of Ch. 3 - Building Blocks,
...Ch. 4 - Accessible Routes, ...Ch. 5 - General Site and Building Elements,
...Ch. 7 - Communication Elements and Features ( i.e. - signage &
product vending machines ) could be used to design a Van Accessible
Parking Stall ( i.e. - a primary purpose of a public business ) to accommodate
wheelchair users, or others with impairments.

The Sections listed have plenty of dimensions and guidance to design
something.................IMO, while it is not a typical application, it could
be designed to be compliant.

@ ~ @

Agree it could be, but without scoping I don't think it is enforceable. I ran across another similar situation today. Drive up ATM, in the ANSI 117.1 standard but not scoped in the IBC except in annex E, which is not adopted. In that case, I know it will be accessible even though they do not provide the details. I have yet to find any building official in my realm that has been requiring accessible vacuum stalls. One stated that until someone gets sued it will not get scoped.