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‘Hospitality & Retail’ Category

Handrails with Crash Rails and Bumper Guards

Posted on August 16th, 2022

What are crash rails and bumper guards and what is the difference? What are the exceptions under the ADA Standards 505.6 for gripping surfaces on handrails?

Restaurant, Bar, & Cafeteria Design Considerations

Restaurant, Bar, & Cafeteria Design Considerations

Posted on February 26th, 2021

Some of the main issues for restaurant, bar, and cafeteria design have to do with circulation paths, accessible routes, and counters.

Pop-Up Restaurants and What You Need to Know About Access

Posted on September 12th, 2020

Janis Kent, Architect, FAIA, CASp © September, 2020 With the continuation of our on-going plague, many restaurants are taking their seating area out to the public sidewalks, parking areas, and even onto the streets. While the concept of pop-up restaurants has been around for a while, it has evolved as a temporary outdoor add-on to existing […]

Grab bars stepping thru accessibility

Blocking for Grab Bars – What is There to Know?

Posted on April 8th, 2020

Recently something has come to my attention, namely what are the requirements for blocking for grab bars? When I review drawings I typically see the bar location specified and then a graphic rectangle to show diagrammatically the extent of the backing. But I have rarely seen the size of the actual blocking or its specific location and attachment.

toilet rooms in California restaurants

Toilet Rooms in California Restaurants & Other Food Facilities

Posted on January 5th, 2020

Any restaurant that has on-site food consumption, regardless of size, is required to have toilet rooms for the public and consumers. This article is based on the revised code effective January 1, 2019 and incorporates some of the earlier requirements.

counters and work surfaces accessibility

Counters and Work Surfaces for Sales/Service and Dining/Bar — What Is Required?

Posted on July 23rd, 2019

Discussion has come up of what is allowed or required for a bar or dining surface and how does this differ from a sales or service counter. Many times these two requirements are confused with each other. Some of the main questions are, what is required if there is a split-height counter and what about the required clear floor space.

Lavatory ADA requirements

The Lavatory — Clear Floor Spaces, Reach Ranges, & Protruding Objects

Posted on February 6th, 2018

Lavatories have some of the more involved clearances below which impact reach ranges above. The question of why is this important to understand might be arising in your thoughts. The answer is the impact on the location of faucet controls, soap dispensers, and any other built-in items including electrical outlets and switches.

Single user toilet rooms in California

Single User Toilet Rooms in California

Posted on August 23rd, 2017

Earlier this year a law was passed in California stating that all single user toilet rooms are to be unisex — in other words we will no longer have a men’s restroom or a women’s restroom for one user. Since the rooms are required to have privacy locks they can now be used by either sex.

Sinks, Sinks, Sinks, and Lavs - What needs to be done?

Sinks, Sinks, Sinks, and Lavs – What needs to be done?

Posted on April 19th, 2017

Sinks have many differing requirements depending upon how they are being used including types of approach, cabinetry below or not, and even the number required to be accessible. Following is a summary of different sink types and their uses that will hopefully shed some light on the issue and requirements for each.

The Doorbell – Transient Lodging & Dwelling Units

Posted on July 21st, 2016

Doorbells have a variety of requirements with the implementation of the 2010 ADA Standards. This would be within communication feature units both for transient lodging guest rooms as well as for dwelling units. These features are for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and blind or partially sighted.