RJJ - I am not sure I understand L&I's comment.
Are they saying two 36" wide paths meeting at a 90 degree angle is allowable for the turn?
To me, the code appears a little ambiguous and lacking. A turning space is the 5 ft circle or the T-shaped turning space. Although the angle of the turn is not specified, I would assume these spaces would accommodate a 360 degree turn.
If a 90 degree turn requires either a 5 ft circle or the T-shaped turning space, is the same 5 ft circle or T-shaped space required at an accessible doorway?
Section 603.2.1 requires a turning space in accessible bathrooms. Sections 402 Accessible Routes, 403 Walking Surfaces, and 404 Doorways do not mention turning space. Well, maybe Section 402 does.
402.2 Components. Accessible routes shall consist of one or more of the following components: Walking surfaces with a slope not steeper than 1:20, doors and doorways, ramps, curb ramps excluding the flared sides, elevators, and platform lifts. All components of an accessible route shall comply with the applicable portions of this standard.
Section 404 Doors and Doorways, specifically the subsections of 404.2.3 Maneuvering Clearances at Doors, indicates that maneuvering clearances less than the turning space requirements of section 304 are adequate to perform a 90 degree turn through a doorway. There is no mention of turning spaces complying with section 304. Was section 304 forgotten, intentionally not mentioned, or covered by section 402.2 (above)?
Links to A117.1-2009
Chapter 4 - Accessible Routes
Chapter 6 - Plumbing Elements and Facilities
Consider the following doorway scenarios:
Fig. 404.2.3.2 (g) appears to allow an occupant to travel down a path, provided it has a 42" wide maneuvering clearance for a distance 24" from the latch side, and make a 90 degree turn through a door opening. The door opening minimum width is 32". To me, this indicates the maneuvering space required to make a 90 degree turn is less than a 5 ft circle or T-shaped turning space. If this door is located at the very end of a hallway, neither the circle nor the T-shape space would fit. Would this door be not accessible? Should I be providing the circle or T-shape at every accessible door requiring a hinge side or latch side approach?
Fig. 404.2.3.2 (f) appears to allow an occupant to travel down a 48" wide path and make a 90 degree turn. The maneuvering space shown will not accommodate a 5 ft circle or the 12" far side branch from the T-shape.
404.2.3.4 Doorways without Doors. Doorways without doors that are less than 36 inches in width shall have maneuvering clearances complying with Table 404.2.3.4
Chapter 4 - Accessible Routes
Fig. 404.2.3.4 illustrates the requirements from the table. One of the two sketches requires a 42" rectangle to make a 90 degree turn; it does not account for the circle or T-shape. If the circle or T-shape is required for a 90 degree turn, why is that not shown in the figure or specified that it is required, similar to the way Section 603.2 requires it for accessible bathrooms and toilet rooms? Or again, does section 402.2 (above) include the turning space requirement? :banghd
Note that 404.2.3.4 (above) is for doorways without doors that are less than 36 inches. The code does not have a separate section for doorways without doors that are 36 inches or greater. I would reason the maneuvering clearance is different for doorway openings 36" and larger, otherwise there would not be a separate section for doorways less than 36".