High/Low Drinking Fountains

[Paul Sweet]

We just had a building built before ADA written up for having an existing high drinking fountain without a low one (wheelchair accessible) next to it. There are 3 high/low fountains that meet ADASAD 602 in recent additions that are on the same floor and within 50 - 100 ft. of that fountain.

I see where IPC 410.3 and ADASAD 211 require half the drinking fountains to be high, and half low, but I don't see where the code requires them to be next to each other. Am I missing something?

 

[arwat23]

I don't believe 2010 ADAS or IPC requires both standing and wheelchair drinking fountains to be directly next to each other. I think it's more just a matter of convenience and efficiency that they're often next to each other.

 

[NCRooster]

From the 2021 IBC commentary, Section 1110.5.1: The high and low drinking fountains that serve a facility need not be provided at the same location in the facility. If the high and low drinking fountains are remotely located, signage is required to indicate the location of the other fountains (see Section 1112.3).

 

[NCRooster]

U.S. Access Board - Chapter 6: Drinking Fountains

The U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and...

www.access-board.gov

From the ADA Guide, Drinking Fountains: "Recommendation: Where multiple units are provided on a floor...provide both wheelchair and standing access at each location for greater convenience, especially if units are separated by significant distances."

Based on this, it is recommended that fountains be together, but not required.

 

[Paul Sweet]

NCRooster, thanks for the references.

I've seen them together 99% of the time and just assumed it was a code requirement rather than a best practice.

 

[Yikes]

I've seen the following separations approved:
New construction: high and low in the same room (lobby), but on opposite walls (due to limited wall space in the plan). Also, drinking fountains on opposite sides of a 3' x 3' square pillar
Existing construction: drinking fountains within line-of-sight of each other on a 70' long corridor