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CBC 11A in-unit washers/dryers front vs parallel approach

M

marcelagracia

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4
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San Diego
Hello!

For a project that falls under Section 11A of the California Building Code, are there any specific requirements to provide either a front or parallel approach at in-unit washers/dryers? I was able to find the section for the requirement for washers and dryers within common areas, but not for in-unit W/D.
If no specific requirement exists in the code, is the interpretation that it can be either front or parallel?
TIA!
 
I believe CBC 1135A is specific to within the dwelling unit. I don't see any other requirements for in-unit washing machines and clothes dryers other than this.

Edit: Except for 1136A.2. I missed that one
 
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1138A.1.4 Clear floor or ground space for wheelchairs.
1138A.l.4.l Size and approach. The minimum clear
floor or ground space shall be 30 inches by 48 inches
(762 mm by 1219 mm). The minimum clear floor or
ground space may be positioned for forward or parallel
approach to an object (See Figure 11A-1G). Clear
floor or ground space may be part of the knee and toe
space required under some objects unless otherwise
specified.
1138A.1.4.2 Relationship of maneuvering clearances
to wheelchair spaces. One full unobstructed side of the
clear floor or ground space for a wheelchair shall
adjoin an accessible route or adjoin another wheelchair
clear floor space.
If a clear floor space is located in an alcove or otherwise
confined on all or a part of three sides, additional
maneuvering clearances shall be provided in accordance
with the following: (See Figure 11A-1H).
1. Forward approach. Alcoves shall be 36 inches
(914 mm) wide minimum when the depth exceeds
24 inches (610 mm).
2. Parallel approach. Alcoves shall be 60 inches
(1524 mm) wide minimum when the depth
exceeds 15 inches (381 mm).
 
Joe.B said:
1138A.1.4 Clear floor or ground space for wheelchairs.
1138A.l.4.l Size and approach. The minimum clear
floor or ground space shall be 30 inches by 48 inches
(762 mm by 1219 mm). The minimum clear floor or
ground space may be positioned for forward or parallel
approach to an object (See Figure 11A-1G). Clear
floor or ground space may be part of the knee and toe
space required under some objects unless otherwise
specified.
1138A.1.4.2 Relationship of maneuvering clearances
to wheelchair spaces. One full unobstructed side of the
clear floor or ground space for a wheelchair shall
adjoin an accessible route or adjoin another wheelchair
clear floor space.
If a clear floor space is located in an alcove or otherwise
confined on all or a part of three sides, additional
maneuvering clearances shall be provided in accordance
with the following: (See Figure 11A-1H).
1. Forward approach. Alcoves shall be 36 inches
(914 mm) wide minimum when the depth exceeds
24 inches (610 mm).
2. Parallel approach. Alcoves shall be 60 inches
(1524 mm) wide minimum when the depth
exceeds 15 inches (381 mm).
Click to expand...
I would agree that 1138A.1.4 defines the technical requirements of what constitutes a clear floor or ground space, if/when such a clear space is required elsewhere in the code.

But 1138.A.1.4 does not state when/where such space must be provided; it is not a scoping document. For that you have to look elsewhere in the code.
For example, 1139A.4 tells us that drinking fountains require a clear floor space positioned for forward approach (scoping), and then you look back to 1138A.4 to find out how to achieve that (technical requirements).

Laundry facilities inside private covered multifamily dwellings are scoped in 11A Division IV "Dwelling Unit Features", section1135A.
1135A does not say anything about providing clear floor or ground space, or approach. It only seems concerned about providing front-load appliances, or providing assistive devices upon request for top-loading machines [and how you field inspect for the latter is beyond me].

Likewise, 1130A.1 requires an accessible route to kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures, but has no stated requirement to provide an accessible route to laundry fixtures.
 
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1130A.1 General. An accessible route shall be provided
through all rooms and spaces of the dwelling unit. The accessible
route shall pass through the primary entry door, and
shall connect with all additional exterior doors, required
clear floor spaces at kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures.
For the purpose of this section, "accessible routes"
may include hallways, corridors and ramps.

I hear what you're saying, however I think that they can't specify laundry areas in 1130 because they are not a required feature. I think that if they specifically included that wording in 1130, then people would argue that laundry is a required feature. They do specify all rooms and spaces, and I would argue that includes laundry. It's kind of obvious I think, why wouldn't an accessible feature be required to be on an accessible route?

Division IV and V are poorly scoped in my opinion, why is 1135 in division IV anyways? In my experience it's more common to have laundry rooms as part of common/shared spaces anyways. I'm always going to argue for the more restrictive interpretation, with a heavy dose of common sense. Working so far...
 
Joe.B said:
I hear what you're saying, however I think that they can't specify laundry areas in 1130 because they are not a required feature. I think that if they specifically included that wording in 1130, then people would argue that laundry is a required feature.
Click to expand...
Why not? They could've said "where provided" for the laundry room / facility. Eliminates confusion regarding if it's required or not.

Joe.B said:
They do specify all rooms and spaces, and I would argue that includes laundry. It's kind of obvious I think, why wouldn't an accessible feature be required to be on an accessible route?
Click to expand...
Okay, yeah, there needs an accessible route. But aren't accessible routes and "approach" requirements different things? You need an accessible route, but there's nothing in that section that specified what kind of approach is needed, or that an approach is needed at all. Contrast that with kitchen and bathroom fixtures, where the clear floor space is explicitly called out.

They could have written something like "... and shall connect with all additional exterior doors, required accessible clear floor spaces at all provided fixtures and equipment." But they didn't. Even then, they don't specify approach requirements for an in-unit washer or dryer.

Joe.B said:
Division IV and V are poorly scoped in my opinion, why is 1135 in division IV anyways? In my experience it's more common to have laundry rooms as part of common/shared spaces anyways. I'm always going to argue for the more restrictive interpretation, with a heavy dose of common sense. Working so far...
Click to expand...
I don't do much work in 11A, so maybe my opinion is skewed / I'm missing something, but it seems fairly straightforward to me. 1127A.10 deals with common use laundry rooms, while 1135A deals with laundry rooms within an individual dwelling unit. 1127A.10 and 1135A address two different situations, which is why they live in different divisions.

(Edited to correct code references)
 
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