Joe2008
Registered User
Is there a building code for how much clearance at a drive up window and are signs needed to post the clearance
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Drive up window clearance
- Thread starter Joe2008
- Start date
mark handler
SAWHORSE
The vertical clearances listed in the code do not specifically mention "drive up windows".
But I would not make it less than those specified for accessible vans.
Vertical clearance. Vehicle pull-up spaces, access aisles serving them, and a vehicular route from an entrance to the passenger loading zone and from the passenger drop-off and loading zone to a vehicular exit shall provide a vertical clearance of 114 inches minimum.
Vertical clearance. Parking spaces, access aisles and vehicular routes serving them shall provide a vertical clearance of 98 inches minimum.
But I would not make it less than those specified for accessible vans.
Vertical clearance. Vehicle pull-up spaces, access aisles serving them, and a vehicular route from an entrance to the passenger loading zone and from the passenger drop-off and loading zone to a vehicular exit shall provide a vertical clearance of 114 inches minimum.
Vertical clearance. Parking spaces, access aisles and vehicular routes serving them shall provide a vertical clearance of 98 inches minimum.
JCraver
Sawhorse
Fed DOT regulations say the tallest a vehicle can be is 13' 6" almost every place. If there is ever a chance for any commercial vehicle to be near your drive through and/or canopy, I'd make sure it's at least 13' 7" tall.
If you're enforcing and not spec'ing, check with your State transportation dept.
If you're a driver who hit an unposted canopy, that's on you. If you don't know how tall your truck is, don't drive it under things.
If you're enforcing and not spec'ing, check with your State transportation dept.
If you're a driver who hit an unposted canopy, that's on you. If you don't know how tall your truck is, don't drive it under things.
Yikes
Gold Member
joe 2008, Mark Handler's reference of 114" from ADA 503.5 is under the larger heading of 503 regarding passenger loading/unloading spaces.
In this case, you have a drive-thru window, which is not directly addressed; however it is only a matter of time before someone claims discrimination due to lack of headroom at a drive-thru, so you would be wise to provide at least that 114" height
Aside from code and ADA, the more practical question is: how often does the building owner want to replace damaged canopies (or whatever) due to thoughtless vehicle owners?
It's been a number of years since I did a Starbucks drive-thru, and I don't remember their corporate standard for sure, but I'm pretty certain it was 13'-6" headroom and 12' wide driveways. You'd be amazed at how often someone in a camper, or motorhome, or with lumber leaned up on the cap of their pickup tries to navigate those drive-thrus!
Likewise, when I do solar canopies over parking stalls, the solar companies want about 12' of headroom (not the usual 8'-2"). It's one thing for a careless delivery truck to beat up the corner of a corrugated metal carport roof that's 98" high; it's another to have them wipe out expensive electrical equipment.
In this case, you have a drive-thru window, which is not directly addressed; however it is only a matter of time before someone claims discrimination due to lack of headroom at a drive-thru, so you would be wise to provide at least that 114" height
Aside from code and ADA, the more practical question is: how often does the building owner want to replace damaged canopies (or whatever) due to thoughtless vehicle owners?
It's been a number of years since I did a Starbucks drive-thru, and I don't remember their corporate standard for sure, but I'm pretty certain it was 13'-6" headroom and 12' wide driveways. You'd be amazed at how often someone in a camper, or motorhome, or with lumber leaned up on the cap of their pickup tries to navigate those drive-thrus!
Likewise, when I do solar canopies over parking stalls, the solar companies want about 12' of headroom (not the usual 8'-2"). It's one thing for a careless delivery truck to beat up the corner of a corrugated metal carport roof that's 98" high; it's another to have them wipe out expensive electrical equipment.
chris kennedy
Sawhorse
And you gotta love braille at drive thru window's
Yikes
Gold Member
Off topic: My brother in law was a family law attorney in MN. In one particularly nasty divorce case (husband cheated with neighbor), the judge granted the husband's sportscar to his client, the wife. She was legally blind.
I asked what she would possibly do with a car she couldn't drive. Ultimately, she didn't sell it: She remodeled her living room, adding a big picture window facing the street, and parked the car in there so that her husband would have to see it every time he drove to the neighbor's house.
mark handler
SAWHORSE
The original post asked for code, not for what is possible or what is a corporate standard.
You also do not want a box truck in the drive through it will get stuck in the tight turns.the vehicular windows are too high. Wheel base to wide.
As to why is there braille on drive up ATMs, they use the same machines as walk up machines. They do not have to have separate parts for the different machines.
You also do not want a box truck in the drive through it will get stuck in the tight turns.the vehicular windows are too high. Wheel base to wide.
As to why is there braille on drive up ATMs, they use the same machines as walk up machines. They do not have to have separate parts for the different machines.
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ADAguy
Registered User
yes but they are typically on the drivers side (blind driver?) Yes, some drivers though legally "cane" blind" can drive in the day time.
Mr. Inspector
SAWHORSE
Think about a blind person riding in the back seat of a taxi or uber. Vehicle pulls far enough ahead for passenger to use the atm.
mark handler
SAWHORSE
I did work for a bank, years ago, when they first started with the ATMs. Asked the question, was told they do not want to double stock all the parts and machines. This all started way before driverless cars and UBER. Plain and simple, It is for the convenience of the bank NOT the disabled.
No they are forcing people to do all banking online!!!! or ATM.
mark handler
SAWHORSE
Mr. Inspector
SAWHORSE
I have walked up to a drive-in ATM many times. What would stop a handicapped person to do the same? Sometimes it's the only ATM available for pedestrians.
Sorry just a personal observation of the banking industry. Pushing people to do online and atm transactions.