About this video:
Learn about drinking fountain accessibility based on the ComSOP Standard Accessibility Inspection Report for Existing Commercial Buildings, with Lance Coffman, CCPIA® instructor and owner of Focus Building Inspections. Section 6 outlines the checkpoints inspectors should verify to ensure the presence of drinking fountains and that their features are accessible, including:
6.1___Where there are two drinking fountains on one floor, at least one is wheelchair-accessible.
6.2___The accessible drinking fountain has adequate clear floor space for wheelchair maneuvering.
6.3___The accessible drinking fountain has knee clearance of 27 inches measured from the bottom of the apron to the floor’s surface.
6.4___The accessible drinking fountain has unobstructed toe clearance of 9 inches measured from the bottom of the fountain to the floor’s surface.
6.5___The spout is located toward the front of the unit and no higher than 36 inches from the floor’s surface.
Where drinking fountains are provided, the requirement is that half of the units must be wheelchair accessible and the other half accessible for standing users. This applies to each floor in a building separately. Inspectors will often find two drinking fountains together, accommodating both wheelchair users and standing individuals. This setup is commonly referred to as “hi-lo.” Additional requirements for accessible drinking fountains include ensuring clear space around and underneath the fountain, as well as easy access to its features.
The Standard Accessibility Inspection Report for Existing Commercial Buildings is available in the ancillary document section of the ComSOP. Review the Commercial Inspection Standards of Practice to view the full reporting tool.
Additional Resources for Commercial Property Inspections: