How Are Bars Designed to be Accessible?

We had this challenge over then years ago on a very large hotel casino project that was under construction and also under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.  The actual bar had gaming machines built into the bar.  The bar is an assembly area, so scoping gives us the the number of wheelchair spaces that are required. 

Next we needed width, which would include the wheelchair space and the companion seat.  The companion could be another wheelchair so that dimension is 66" in width.  That 66" is a minimum dimension and architects never design to the minimum or maximum, so the design dimension will be 68" in width.  There is a range in the bar height between 28"-34".  So, the design will be set at 32" above the finish floor. 

The approach to the bar is a frontal approach.  There will be a requirement for knee and toe clearance underneath the top of the bar.  The knee clearance has a 27" dimension under the bar, so the design dimension will be 28" above the finish floor, with a design depth of 12 ".  The toe design depth is 19" and the overall width of this pocket is a design width of 32".  The bar stool will not work so the seat is comparable lounge chair. 

We always design the handicapped area to be in the center area, not at the end of the bar.  The design challenge, in the opinion of ACCESS, is to not have the accessible part of the bar look like a handicapped area.  A good solution is a "U" shaped pod that seats 4 - 5 people in chairs around the "U" with a 30" walk way in the middle of the "U" for the bar tender.  Any chair can be removed and a wheelchair inserted in the space for a frontal approach.  I know, this part of the bar becomes very popular.  If a wheelchair person comes in and all the accessible spaces are occupied with non-handicapped people do they have to move?  The ADA law does not require them to move, the ADA law just requires the owner to provide so many accessible spaces. 

That accessible space is like the accessible stalls in a restroom where anyone can use the accessible stalls; not like handicapped accessible parking stalls where only people with handicapped stickers can use the handicapped parking space.

Give us your questions or thoughts on the above article.  You can post them here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730.  You can also reach us at hfalstad@accessts.net or call us at (702) 649-7575.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Hank


The above are opinions of Hank Falstad, AIA, Managing Senior Associate of Access Technologies Services, Inc. (ACCESS).  See our web site for additional information:  www.accessts.net.