Accessible Health Care Briefs: HEALTH CARE (Clinic/Outpatient) FACILITIES ACCESS

3. FIXTURES and HARDWARE

Other fixtures and hardware can also prevent and/or limit access within medical exam and treatment rooms such as:

• Accessible coat hooks,

• Shelves,

• Sinks and faucets, and

• Restroom mirrors.

Coat hooks: “Accessible coat hooks provided within toilet compartments shall be located within the reach ranges specified above. When provided, a fold-down shelf shall be located 40 inches (1015 mm) minimum and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the floor.”^xx

Figure 23: Wheelchair side reach for coat hooks is 48 inches maximum above the floor, and 21 inches minimum. Forward reach range is 48 inches maximum and 21 inches minimum. (Diagram Figure 18 - page 10)

Shelves: “If the clear floor space allows a parallel approach by a person in a wheelchair and the distance between the wheelchair and the shelf exceeds 10 inches, the maximum high side reach shall be maximum 48 inches (1220 mm) above the floor and the low side reach shall be a minimum of 9 inches (230 mm) above the floor. Maximum distance from the user to the shelf shall be 21 inches (535 mm).”^xxi

Figure 24: Wheelchair side reach range for wall shelving is 48 inches maximum above the floor. Forward reach range is 48 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum (Diagram Figure 19 page 11)

Lavatories:

• Faucets: Must be “lever-operated, push-type, or electronically controlled mechanisms are examples of acceptable designs. If self-closing valves are used, the faucet shall remain open for at least 10 seconds.”^xxii  

Sinks

• Exposed Pipes and Surfaces: Hot water and drain pipes under lavatories must be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against human contact. There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatories.

Figure 25:  Wheelchair front approach lavatory knee clearance is required underneath the lavatory: 27 inches (685 mm) minimum from the floor to the underside of the lavatory which extends 8 inches (205 mm) minimum measured from the front edge underneath the lavatory back towards the wall.

Mirrors:^xxiii

Figure: 26 Accessible lavatory mirror 

Figure 27: Mirrors used by both ambulatory people and wheelchair users must be at least 74 in (1880 mm) high at their topmost edge.