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Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards

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This guide explains requirements in the ADA Standards for drinking fountains.

Notational tips for users of screen reading software follow.  In this document ″ indicates inches and ′ indicates feet.  Some images are paired with visually hidden notes.&nbsp These annotations are prefaced with begin and end image notes.

Required Compliance

[§211]

Where drinking fountains are provided, access is required for both people who use wheelchairs and for standing persons. This dual access must be provided on each floor of a facility equipped with drinking fountains, as well as an exterior site and each secured area of a building where drinking fountains are provided. Where one unit is planned in any of these locations, at least two units or a combination high-low unit must be provided for dual access in each such location. If multiple units are planned on a floor, exterior site, or secured area, then 50% must be wheelchair accessible and 50% accessible for standing persons (rounding up for either type in the case of odd numbers).

Images of office building, exterior courtyard, and door with keypad
security system

Scoping for drinking fountains applies separately to each floor of a facility, secured area, and exterior site that contains drinking fountains. In each such location with drinking fountains, half of the units must be wheelchair accessible and the other half accessible for standees. If only one unit is planned in any of these locations, at least two separate units or a combination high-low unit is required for dual access.

Secured Areas

Security intercom

The Standards specifically address access to drinking fountains located within secured areas because they often serve only a portion of a facility's occupants. The term "secured area" is intended to apply to any space where entry is restricted or controlled. Levels of security can range from rooms entered only with an access card to high-security environments such as holding areas of prisons and jails. (In detention and correctional facilities, units that only serve inaccessible housing or holding cells but not accessible cells are exempt (§211.1, Ex).)

Alterations and Additions

[§202]

In alterations and additions, requirements for drinking fountains apply where units are altered, replaced, or added to a facility (§202.2, §202.3). Access to drinking fountains is also required when alterations or additions are made to areas containing a primary function (i.e., a major activity intended for a facility). Primary function areas that are altered or added to a facility must be connected by an accessible path of travel which includes, where provided, compliant drinking fountains, as well as restrooms and telephones, serving the primary function area. The accessible path of travel is required to the extent that it does not cost more than 20% of the cost of the work to the primary function area (§202.4). See the Alterations and Additions Guide.

Water Coolers and Bottle Fillers

Bottle filler and water
cooler

If a drinking fountain is provided, a water cooler, bottle filler, or nearby sink cannot substitute for either the wheelchair accessible or the standing height drinking fountain in new construction, additions, or alterations. Water coolers and bottle fillers can be provided at, or integrated with, compliant drinking fountains. No drinking fountains are required where none are planned, including where water coolers or bottle fillers are provided.

When provided, fixed or built-in water coolers and bottle fillers must meet requirements for operable parts (§309), including:

  • location on an accessible route;
  • clear floor space for either a forward or side approach; and
  • controls, if hand-operated, that are within accessible reach range and are usable with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, or more than 5 pounds force.

Bottle fillers must comply where provided, including when integrated with drinking fountains. If only one bottle filler is provided at only some drinking fountains or at one bowl of a hi-lo unit, it is advisable to locate it at the wheelchair accessible unit or bowl.

Wheelchair Accessible Drinking Fountains

[§602.1 to §602.6]

Provisions for wheelchair accessible units require access for a forward approach and address spouts, water flow, and operable parts. Units can be wall mounted or free-standing.

Wall-mounted wheelchair accessible drinking fountain with forward
approach clear floor space highlighted. Notes: Clear Floor Space
(§602.2) for a forward approach centered on the unit; Operable Parts
(§602.3) within accessible reach range and usable with one hand and
without tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, or more than 5
lbf.; Spout Height (§602.4) 36 inches maximum above the finish floor or ground.
Figure: Detail of spout and water flow 4 inches high minimum. Caption: Water Flow
(§602.6). Figure: A drinking fountain in plan view with a spout less
than 3 inches from the front of unit and an angle of the water stream 30
degrees maximum measured horizontally relative to the face of the unit. A
drinking fountain in plan view with a spout 3 inches to 5 inches from the front of
unit and an angle of the water stream 15 degrees maximum measured
horizontally relative to the face of the
unit.

Spout Location (§602.5)

Spouts must be 15″ minimum from the vertical support and 5″ maximum from the unit's front edge, including bumpers.

Drinking fountain with rectangular bowl with spouts 15 inches minimum from the
vertical support and 5 inches maximum from the unit's front edge. Drinking
fountain with round bowl with spouts 15 inches minimum from the vertical support
and 5 inches maximum from the unit's front edge.

Clear Floor or Ground Space

[§602.2]

Clear floor or ground space for a forward approach must be centered on the unit. Additional clearance is required if the space is obstructed on both sides for more than half the depth, such as at alcoves.

Drinking fountain in plan view with clear floor space 30 inches minimum by 48 inches minimum centered on the unit. The unit overlaps the front portion of the clear floor space by a depth of 17 inches minimum
Drinking fountain in an alcove with clear floor space that is obstructed on both sides more than 24 inches due to the recess and is 36 inches wide minimum

Knee and toe space is required below the unit. The combined depth of the knee and toe space must be at least 17″ (and 25″ maximum) measured from the leading edge of the unit, including bumpers.

Drinking fountain (side view) with knee and toe space below the unit highlighted. Note: Knee and toe space depth measured from the leading edge.
Shown in profile: Knee space 11 inches deep and toe space 6 inches deep for a total depth of 17 inches. The leading edge of the knee space is 27 inches high min and extends in 8 inches min, then reduces to 9 inches over a 3 inch space (6:1 slope). The clearance continues as toe space 9 inches.

Drinking Fountains for Children’s Use

[§602.1 – §602.6]

Drinking fountains designed specifically for children ages 12 and younger can provide a parallel approach instead of a forward approach if the spout is 30 inches high max and no more than 3½ inches from the front edge of the unit, including bumpers (§602.2, Ex). Parallel clear floor space is not required to be centered on the unit. Drinking fountain with outlet centerline 3-1/2 inches max to front edge, including bumpers
Children's drinking fountain with a spout 30 inches max high and clear floor space for a side approach.

Drinking Fountains for Standing Persons

[§602.7]

Drinking fountains for standing persons must have spouts 38″ to 43″ high and compliant operable parts and be located on an accessible route. They cannot obstruct the forward approach clearance, including knee and toe space, required at wheelchair accessible units.

Unit with a high bowl with a spout 38 inches to 43 inches high next to a low bowl.
Unit with a high and a low bowl. Recommendation: Locate standee units outside clear floor space of wheelchair accessible units.

Drinking Fountains as Protruding Objects

[§602.1]

Requirements for protruding objects (§307) apply to drinking fountains. Drinking fountains with leading edges higher than 27″ must be recessed in alcoves or otherwise treated so that they do not protrude more than 4″ into circulation paths. Alcoves must be sized to accommodate the clear floor space required at wheelchair accessible units.

Drinking fountain recessed in alcove.
Drinking fountain in alcove (plan view) with leading edge projecting 4 inches maximum beyond recess

Wheelchair accessible units that provide, but do not exceed, the 27″ minimum knee clearance do not require treatment as a protruding object because the leading edge is at the maximum limit for cane detectability. Such units can be used to enclose one side of cantilevered units for standees. Other fixed objects, such as benches and planters, can be used to recess drinking fountains.

High drinking fountain located between an adjacent wall of corner and a low drinking fountain.
Drinking fountain on wall with benches on both sides.

Common Questions

question mark

Can water coolers or bottle fillers substitute for accessible drinking fountains?

If drinking fountains are provided, water coolers or bottle fillers cannot be used as a substitute for either a wheelchair accessible unit or a unit for standees in new construction, alterations, or additions. Water coolers and bottle fillers can be provided in addition to, or be integrated with, drinking fountains. If no drinking fountain is provided, a compliant drinking fountain is not required even if water coolers or bottle fillers are provided. Water coolers and bottle fillers that are fixed or built-in must comply as operable parts (§205, §309) but are not subject to other requirements for drinking fountains.

When must drinking fountains be designed for use by children?

The Standards do not specify where units must be mounted or designed specifically for children. This determination is left to other building codes or regulations, good practice, client preference, or other factors. Instead, the Standards provide an exception that can be used when the decision is made to mount drinking fountains at heights for children ages 12 and younger. Under this exception, a parallel approach is permitted instead of a forward approach with knee and toe clearance in order to accommodate a lower unit height provided that the spout is no higher than 30″ and no more than 3½″ from the front edge of the unit, including bumpers (§602.6).

Do drinking fountains have to meet requirements for protruding objects?

Yes, the Standards limit the protrusion into circulation paths of those objects, including drinking fountains that have leading edges higher than 27″ above the finish floor or ground. Cantilevered units with leading edges higher than 27″ must be recessed or protected as protruding objects. Wheelchair accessible units with a 27″ absolute knee clearance below do not require treatment as protruding objects.

Can units for standees overlap the clear floor space required at wheelchair accessible units?

Units for standing access (or other elements) that do not have compliant knee and toe clearance cannot overlap or protrude into the clear floor space at adjacent wheelchair accessible units. Cantilevered units for standees with compliant knee and toe space can overlap the clear floor space at wheelchair accessible units but it is advisable to locate them outside the clearance since they can interfere with use of the lower unit when located in close proximity.

Technical Assistance

Contact the Access Board for guidance on these standards