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Replace drinking fountains with only bottle filling stations in existing schools

Tarik1980

Registered User
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Messages
3
Location
Ottawa
I have to replace the drinking fountains in existing buildings (elementary and secondary schools) with bottle filling stations without bubblers. Is this allowed by the building and accessibility codes knowing the schools are mostly located in the Ottawa region?
Thank you for your guidance,
 
Welcome!

Not sure in Canada, but not in the straight ICC codes yet....Standby for someone with experience in the Great White North....
 
I have to replace the drinking fountains in existing buildings (elementary and secondary schools) with bottle filling stations without bubblers. Is this allowed by the building and accessibility codes knowing the schools are mostly located in the Ottawa region?
Thank you for your guidance,
The language of NBC 2015 [3.8.2.8(9)] states that "where drinking fountains are provided..." one shall be barrier free.

You aren't providing water fountains, so 3.8.2.8(9) doesn't technically apply. But what's the intent?

Height and accessibility of controls [3.8.3.8] would still apply.

Bottom line: if at least one bottle station met the requirements of water fountains either under NBC 2015 or CSA B365, nobody would complain.
(Excerpt from CSA B365)

6.1.2 Controls
Controls shall
a) not be foot-operated;​
b) allow the user to control the duration of flow;​
c) comply with Clause 4.2; and
d) be located either on the front or on both sides of the fountain.​

6.1.3 Floor area
A drinking fountain shall have a clear floor area of at least 800 × 1350 mm in front of the unit (see Figure 38).

6.1.4 Colour contrast
A drinking fountain shall be colour-contrasted with the background.

6.1.5 Cantilevered fountains
A cantilevered drinking fountain shall
a) be cane-detectable, recessed, or otherwise located out of the route of travel;​
b) have a knee clearance between the bottom of the apron and the floor at least 800 mm wide × 200 mm deep × 685 mm high (see Figure 39); and​
c) have a toe space at least 800 mm wide × 230 mm deep × 230 mm high​
 
Thank you for all the details.
Is it ok if there are no fountains in the building but only bottle fillers?
 
Thank you for all the details.
Is it ok if there are no fountains in the building but only bottle fillers?
Optional according to NBC 2015:
"9) Where drinking fountains are provided, at least one shall comply with Subsection 3.8.3."
Which means if you have fountains, one must be barrier-free.
There is no requirement in *code* for fountains.
CSA B365 does not mandate fountains: it's the Canadian barrier-free standard that (essentially) drives Codes.
 
Scoping for drinking fountains is provided by the IPC in the US. Is there a similar scoping document in Canada?
 
I would guess they are required as part of minimum plumbing fixtures in the plumbing code but that's for us down south
 
Nope, drinking fountains are not required at all.

If they are provided there are some provisions to meet, but it is up to the designer/owner if they are provided.
 
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