Multiple Break Rooms

[Kmarie039]

If an office space has a break room on each floor (2 story) do both break rooms need to have a 34" counter? Both are common use spaces so in my mind I would say yes. Would anyone disagree?

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Is the second floor an accessible story, or does it meet one of the exceptions to required accessibility?

If it's an accessible story, then I would say the break room on that story needs to be accessible.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

A 34" high counter is only required if there is a cooktop or range. ICC/ANSI A117.1 -2006 section 804.3

 

[BN4537]

Or a sink.

Yes, both need to be at 34".

 

[arwat23]

Both are required to be accessible and be at 34" max a.f.f.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Only the sink needs to be 34" not the whole counter if no stove but is easier to build the whole counter at 34".

 

[Sifu]

Both sinks I think. The exceptions are for an accessible route, not elements.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I think this situation is a good time to remember what the ADA is: it's federal, civil rights, non-discrimination legislation. The ADAS, A117.1, and IBC accessibility requirements are all just codifications of what is fundamentally a federal law that says "treat everybody the same."

So you have offices on two floors, and a break room on each floor. Able-bodied workers on the second floor can use all elements of the break room on the second floor. If a second floor worker with a disability has to use the break room on the first floor because the second floor break room isn't accessible -- that's an ADA lawsuit waiting to happen.