Lockers vs. locker room

[Sifu]

A proposal for am A-2/A3 has come in. Within the space is a storage/mech. room. However within the room are employee lockers. It is largely an employee workspace for storage and equipment such as the water heater, CO2 tanks, and soda racks, but with a bank of employee lockers, ergo it is a room, with lockers. I see no way around the fact that at least 5% of the lockers must be accessible per 2018 IBC 1109.9. But would it be considered a "locker room" in the context of ANSI 117.1 803? The issue is that the room does not allow room for the bench required by ANSI 803/903 without some reconfiguration. Happy to cite that requirement, just want to be sure of the distinction between a locker being accessible vs. a designated "locker room".

 

[Sifu]

Related....the A2/A3 is a golf simulator and bar establishment. IBC speaks generically to recreational facilities, and specifically to miniature golf facilities. I think this is further away from a miniature golf facility than a recreational facility. As a recreational facility, an accessible route to the edge of the play area is required, and a W/C space in the player seating area. 2018 IBC 1110.4.1 requires "each" area of sport activity. Not 5% or not less than 1 as identified for bowling lanes. There are 5 identical simulator bays. Could this be viewed a single area of sport activity so that 1 bay meets the requirements? Or, would it be required that "each" bay meet the requirements?

Here is their depiction of a simulator bay. You will note that they indicate a 3' accessibler oute, even though it is covered by furniture. Easy enough to remove a chair which would provide both the AR and W/C space, but less palatable if they must do it all bays.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

The IBC does not require a bench in a locker room.

 

[Sifu]

The IBC does not require a bench in a locker room.

The IBC says 5% must be accessible, and in order to be accessible it must comply with ANSI 117.1, and ANSI requires a bench within the room.

 

[walker.t]

But would it be considered a "locker room" in the context of ANSI 117.1 803?

Before checking to see what the commentary said I was thinking this was not a “locker room” in the sense of a place where athletes, for example, are changing out of their uniforms, bathing, and putting on their street clothes. What you described sounds to me like a place where each employee is given access to a locker where they can secure their personal items for the day instead of keeping them at their work station.

Changing of clothes seems to be the deciding factor, whether or not bathing is involved as I mentioned above:

Commentary on A117.1-2017 Section 803 Dressing, Fitting and Locker Rooms (partial quote)
The intent of this section is to provide requirements that allow a person using a mobility aid to have the ability to change clothes. Examples of these types of facilities include…locker rooms were staff persons change from street clothes to uniforms.

The IBC does not require a bench in a locker room.

Looks like A117.1-2017 8.3.4 does: “A bench complying with Section 903 shall be provided within the room.”

 

[Sifu]

Before checking to see what the commentary said I was thinking this was not a “locker room” in the sense of a place where athletes, for example, are changing out of their uniforms, bathing, and putting on their street clothes. What you described sounds to me like a place where each employee is given access to a locker where they can secure their personal items for the day instead of keeping them at their work station.

Changing of clothes seems to be the deciding factor, whether or not bathing is involved as I mentioned above:

This is the heart of the question. If not a "locker room" then the bench wouldn't necessarily come into play, although the locker itself could still be accessible.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

A proposal for am A-2/A3 has come in. Within the space is a storage/mech. room. However within the room are employee lockers. It is largely an employee workspace for storage and equipment such as the water heater, CO2 tanks, and soda racks, but with a bank of employee lockers, ergo it is a room, with lockers. I see no way around the fact that at least 5% of the lockers must be accessible per 2018 IBC 1109.9. But would it be considered a "locker room" in the context of ANSI 117.1 803? The issue is that the room does not allow room for the bench required by ANSI 803/903 without some reconfiguration. Happy to cite that requirement, just want to be sure of the distinction between a locker being accessible vs. a designated "locker room".

If the store room holds only employee lockers, and no toilet and/or bathing facilities, I **might** be inclined to accept an argument that the lockers are not available to the public, they are employee only, so any accessibility should be addressed as individual employee "reasonable accommodations" on a case-by-case basis rather than throwing the entire ADA and A117.1 at it.

Note: **might**

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Related....the A2/A3 is a golf simulator and bar establishment. IBC speaks generically to recreational facilities, and specifically to miniature golf facilities. I think this is further away from a miniature golf facility than a recreational facility. As a recreational facility, an accessible route to the edge of the play area is required, and a W/C space in the player seating area. 2018 IBC 1110.4.1 requires "each" area of sport activity. Not 5% or not less than 1 as identified for bowling lanes. There are 5 identical simulator bays. Could this be viewed a single area of sport activity so that 1 bay meets the requirements? Or, would it be required that "each" bay meet the requirements?

Here is their depiction of a simulator bay. You will note that they indicate a 3' accessibler oute, even though it is covered by furniture. Easy enough to remove a chair which would provide both the AR and W/C space, but less palatable if they must do it all bays.

View attachment 16537

IMHO each simulator bay must be on an accessible route.

Reason -- each bay is rented out separately.

2021 IBC Commentary:

 

[walker.t]

It is largely an employee workspace for storage and equipment

If the store room holds only employee lockers

IBC Definition of “Employee Work Area” (partial quote, emphasis added)
All or any portion of a space used only by employees and only for work.

Is this [storage] room really an employee work area? Fast food place where I worked in high school had an area with paper goods, the soda racks, and an ice machine. The only “work” done in that room was to stock it on truck days, get paper goods as needed, change the soda bags, and fill up the ice bin on wheels which was kept by the soda fountain at the front of the store. There was no food prep, mop sink, or even a table for employees to do anything on.

 

[Gregg Harris]

By the description, I do not think it meets the criteria for "required accessible space."

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

By the description, I do not think it meets the criteria for "required accessible space."

ALL spaces are required to be accessible. The question is whether or not the lockers need to be accessible and then -- by entension -- if a bench is required for the accessible lockers.