301.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter apply where required by Chapter 2 or by Chapters 4 through 10.

　

　

302.1 General. Floor and ground surfaces shall be stable, firm, and slip resistant and shall comply with 302.

　

302.2 Carpet. Carpet or carpet tile shall be securely attached and shall have a firm cushion, pad, or backing or no cushion or pad. Carpet or carpet tile shall have a level loop, textured loop, level cut pile, or level cut/uncut pile texture. Pile height shall be 1/2 inch (13 mm) maximum. Exposed edges of carpet shall be fastened to floor surfaces and shall have trim along the entire length of the exposed edge. Carpet edge trim shall comply with 303.

　

302.3 Openings. Openings in floor or ground surfaces shall be of a size that does not permit passage of a 1/2 inch (13 mm) diameter sphere, except as allowed in 407 and 408. Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel.

　

　

303.1 General. Where changes in level are permitted in floor or ground surfaces, they shall comply with 303.

　

303.2 Vertical. Changes in level of 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical.

　

303.3 Beveled. Changes in level between 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and 1/2 inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2.

　

303.4 Ramps. Changes in level greater than 1/2 inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped, and shall comply with 405 or 406.

　

　

304.1 General. Wheelchair turning space shall comply with 304.

　

304.2 Floor or Ground Surface. Floor or ground surfaces of a wheelchair turning space shall have a slope not steeper than 1:48 and shall comply with 302. Changes in level are not permitted.

　

304.3 Size. Wheelchair turning space shall comply with 304.3.1 or 304.3.2.

　

304.3.1 Circular Space. The wheelchair turning space shall be a space of 60 inches (1525 mm) diameter minimum. The space shall be permitted to include knee and toe clearance complying with 306.

　

304.3.2 T-shaped Space. The wheelchair turning space shall be a T-shaped space within a 60-inch (1525 mm) minimum square with arms and base 36 inches (915 mm) wide minimum. Each arm of the T shall be clear of obstructions 12 inches (305 mm) minimum in each direction and the base shall be clear of obstructions 24 inches (610 mm) minimum. Such space shall be permitted to include knee and toe clearance complying with 306 only at the end of either the base or one arm.

　

304.4 Doors. Unless otherwise specified, doors shall not be prohibited from swinging into a wheelchair turning space.

　

　

305.1 General. Clear floor or ground space shall comply with 305.

　

305.2 Floor or Ground Surfaces. Floor or ground surfaces of a clear floor or ground space shall have a slope not steeper than 1:48 and shall comply with 302. Changes in level are not permitted.

　

305.3 Size. The clear floor or ground space shall be 30 inches (760 mm) minimum by 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum.

　

305.4 Knee and Toe Clearance. Unless otherwise specified, clear floor or ground space shall be permitted to include knee and toe clearance complying with 306.

　

305.5 Position. Unless otherwise specified, clear floor or ground space shall be positioned for either forward or parallel approach to an element.

　

305.6 Approach. One full unobstructed side of the clear floor or ground space shall adjoin or overlap an accessible route or adjoin another clear floor or ground space.

　

305.7 Maneuvering Clearance. Where a clear floor or ground space is located in an alcove or otherwise confined on all or part of three sides, additional maneuvering clearance complying with 305 shall be provided in accordance with 305.7.1 and 305.7.2.

　

305.7.1 Forward Approach. Where the depth of the alcove or other restriction exceeds 24 inches (610 mm), the width of the clear floor space shall be 36 inches (915 mm) minimum.

　

305.7.2 Parallel Approach. Where the depth of the alcove or other restriction exceeds 15 inches (380 mm), the length of the clear floor space shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum.

　

　

306.1 General. Where space beneath an object is included as part of clear floor or ground space or wheelchair turning space, the space shall comply with 306. Additional space shall not be prohibited beneath an object; however, such additional space shall not be considered as part of the clear floor or ground space or wheelchair turning space.

　

　

306.2.1 General. Space under an object between the floor or ground and 9 inches (230 mm) above the floor or ground shall be considered toe clearance and shall comply with 306.2.

　

306.2.2 Maximum Depth. Toe clearance shall extend 25 inches (635 mm) maximum under an object.

306.2.3 Minimum Required Depth. Where toe clearance is required at an element as part of a clear floor space, the toe clearance shall extend 17 inches (430 mm) minimum beneath the element.

　

306.2.4 Additional Clearance. Space extending greater than 6 inches (150 mm) beyond the available knee clearance at 9 inches (230 mm) above the floor or ground shall not be considered toe clearance.

　

306.2.5 Width. Toe clearance shall be 30 inches (760 mm) minimum in width.

　

　

306.3.1 General. Space under an object between 9 inches (230 mm) and 27 inches (685 mm) above the floor or ground shall be considered knee clearance and shall comply with 306.3.

　

306.3.2 Maximum Depth. Knee clearance shall extend 25 inches (635 mm) maximum under an object at 9 inches (230 mm) above the floor or ground.

　

306.3.3 Minimum Required Depth. Where knee clearance is required beneath an element as part of a dear floor space, the knee clearance shall be 11 inches (280 mm) minimum in depth at 9 inches (230 mm) above the floor or ground, and 8 inches (205 mm) minimum in depth at 27 inches (685 mm) above the floor or ground.

　

306.3.4 Clearance Reduction. Between 9 inches (230 mm) and 27 inches (685 mm) above the floor or ground, the knee clearance shall be permitted to reduce at a rate of 1 inch (25 mm) for each 6 inches (150 mm) in height.

　

306.3.5 Width. Knee clearance shall be 30 inches (760 mm) minimum in width.

　

　

307.1 General. Protruding objects shall comply with 307.

　

307.2 Protrusion Limits. Objects with leading edges located more than 27 inches (685 mm) and not more than 80 inches (2030 mm) above the floor or ground shall protrude from the wall 4 inches (100 mm) maximum into the circulation path.

　

307.3 Post-mounted Objects. Free-standing objects mounted on posts or pylons shall overhang 12 inches (305 mm) maximum when located 27 inches (685 mm) minimum and 80 inches (2030 mm) maximum above the floor or ground. Where a sign or other obstruction is mounted between posts or pylons and the clear distance between the posts or pylons is greater than 12 inches (305 mm), the lowest edge of such sign or obstruction shall be 27 inches (685 mm) maximum or 80 inches (2030 mm) minimum above the floor or ground.

　

307.4 Reduced Vertical Clearance. Guardrails or other barriers shall be provided where the vertical clearance is less than 80 inches (2030 mm) high. The leading edge of such guardrail or barrier shall be located 27 inches (685 mm) maximum above the floor or ground.

　

307.5 Required Clear Width. Protruding objects shall not reduce the clear width required for accessible routes.

　

　

308.1 General. Reach ranges shall comply with 308.

　

　

308.2.1 Unobstructed. Where a clear floor or ground space allows only a forward approach to an object and is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor or ground.

　

308.2.2 Obstructed High Reach. Where a clear floor or ground space allows only a forward approach to an object and the high forward reach is over an obstruction, the clear floor space shall extend beneath the object for a distance not less than the required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 20 inches (510 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 20 inches (510 mm), the high forward reach shall be 44 inches (1120 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 25 inches (635 mm) maximum.

　

　

308.3.1 Unobstructed. Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an object and the depth of any obstruction between the clear floor or ground space and the object is 10 inches (255 mm) maximum, the high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor or ground.

308.3.2 Obstructed High Reach. Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an object and the high side reach is over an obstruction, the height of the obstruction shall be 34 inches (865 mm) maximum and the depth of the obstruction shall be 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. The high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 10 inches (255 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 10 inches (255 mm), the high side reach shall be 46 inches (1170 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum.

　

　

309.1 General. Controls and operating mechanisms shall comply with 309.

　

309.2 Clear Floor Space. A clear floor or ground space complying with 305 shall be provided.

　

309.3 Height. Controls and operating mechanisms shall be placed within one or more of the reach ranges specified in 308.

　

309.4 Operation. Controls and operating mechanisms shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls and operating mechanisms shall be 5 lb (22.2 N) maximum.