Hi-Lo water cooler or just Lo

[jar546]

We always see Hi-Lo water coolers specified whenever required by code.

Starting to see more designs with just a low cooler.

Anyone else seeing this? They always end up putting in the Hi-Lo but I am wondering how you interpret the requirements and if you ever allow just a low cooler.

Not looking for personal opinions, but opinions based on code language. Don't care if your town has an amendment, or if you just make up your own rules. I am looking for language in the IPC/IBC that would allow only 1 cooler. Thanks

 

[mtlogcabin]

2009 IBC Table 2902.1 footnotes

e. The minimum number of required drinking fountains shall comply with Table 2902.1 and Chapter 11.

f. Drinking fountains are not required for an occupant load of 15 or fewer.

1109.5.1 Minimum number.

No fewer than two drinking fountains shall be provided. One drinking fountain shall comply with the requirements for people who use a wheelchair and one drinking fountain shall comply with the requirements for standing persons.

Exception: A single drinking fountain that complies with the requirements for people who use a wheelchair and standing persons shall be permitted to be substituted for two separate drinking fountains.

Not sure what this one looks like

 

[dbrown]

My response is based on the 2006 IBC 1109.5.1 exception and the 2003 ANSI117.1 our current adopted codes. The exception allows for one drinking fountain that complies with both wheelchair and standing persons. The ANSI 602.4 commentary states " There are commercially available drinking fountains that have 2 spouts which are ideally suited for people in wheelchairs and people who find it difficult or awkward to bend low. One spout is at the 36 inch height and the higher spout is at the 43 inch height". We require the HI-LO or one with 2 spouts based on the previous info. Hope this helps

 

[mark handler]

JAR

Refer to this

http://media.iccsafe.org/news/eNews/2009v6n14/fountain.pdf

 

[jar546]

Thank you. The exception always confuses me because I never saw a fountain that can do that.

 

[steveray]

We are not on the 09 yet...but ANSI still calls for wheelchair and standing persons and the max and min do not cross....