2013 California Building Code Changes - Part 5: Knee and toe clearance at dining, work surfaces and lavatories.

2013 CA Building Code for ADA Compliance

The new 2013 California Building Code goes into effect January 2014.

As part 5 in a 6-month series on upcoming code changes, I’ll highlight some of the most important changes to the California Building Code before they become enforceable.

Generally, we’re looking at the accessible elements called into question during almost every tenant improvement and upgrade project.

In this segment, we’ll focus on knee and  toe clearance in meeting rooms, restrooms, and dinning/worktables.

At first glance, this may not seem very important, but believe me it makes a huge difference to your wheelchair customers.

Imagine how your legs might feel as an adult squeezing into a work desk in an elementary school. This is what a lot of wheelchair users experience every day in restaurants, cafés, libraries and schools.

The new 2013 CBC 11B-306 Knee and Toe Clearance states: Where space beneath an element is included, as part of the clear floor or ground space or turning space, the space shall comply with the following:

1)  Space under an element between the finish floor or ground and 9 inches above shall be considered toe clearance. The toe clearance shall extend 25 inches maximum under the element.

2)  Where toe clearance is required at an element as part of a clear floor space, the toe clearance shall extend 17 inches minimum under the element.  Exceptions: The toe clearance shall extend 19 inches minimum under accessible sinks and built in dining and work tables.

3)  Toe clearance must be a minimum of 30 inches wide.

4)  Space under an element between 9 and 27 inches above the finished floor is considered the knee clearance. At lavatories required to be accessible, the requirement is between 9 and 29 inches above the finish floor surface.

5)  Knee clearance shall extend 25 inches maximum under an element at 9 inches above the finish floor.

6)  Minimum knee clearance is 11 inches deep at 9 inches above and 8 inches deep at 27 inches above the finish floor or ground. Exceptions: At lavatories required to be accessible, the knee clearance shall be 27 inches high minimum above the finish floor at 8 inches minimum increasing to 29 inches high minimum at the front edge of the counter with a built-in lavatory or the front edge of a wall-mounted lavatory fixture.At dining and work surfaces required to be accessible, the knee clearance shall extend a minimum 19 inches deep at 27 inches above the finish floor surface.

7)  Clearance reduction: Between 9 inches and 27 inches above the floor surface is permitted to reduce at a rate of 1 inch in depth for every 6 inches in height.

8)  This is not allowed though in built-in dining and work surfaces that are accessible.

This is just a glimpse of the some of the changes coming to California in less than two months.

Keep in mind that any remodels, tenant improvements or new build-outs will be a trigger that could require upgrading your accessible knee and toe clearance.