1. Counter Height (Vanity) in Bathroom

June 18, David

Q: How high is the counter top for a sink in a woman's locker room.

A: 34" Maximum measured from the top rim of the actual sink fixture.

REF: ANSI A117.1 2003

2. Utility Vaults in Sidewalks - Building code question.

November 1, Senior Engineer
King County Department of Transportation, Seattle, WA

Q: In King County in developments with frontage improvements, there have been conflicts with Utility vaults being placed in the sidewalk area. These vaults have metal or sometime plastic lids that are in the pedestrian pathway. They sometimes take up the full width of the sidewalk and sometimes have a grid top or a textured surfacing. I have taken the stance that these do not meet ADA…based on several factors. 1) they are slick in wet or cold weather and therefore do not provide proper surface and 2) they are not stable in that these are movable surfaces that can be opened and are access points to vaults below the surface. The problem that I have is that this seems to be based on my “interpretation” of the ADA guideline. Can you help…? I am looking for some direction on this and hopefully some specific documentation for this interpretation.

A: This information is from the 2003 edition of ANSI A117.1:

Section 302.1 "Floor Surfaces, General" states that they shall be stable, firm and slip resistant.

Section 403.1 states that walking surfaces shall comply with Section 302.

OK-that's what ANSI tells us. Now, when I or my field inspectors are doing field inspections, what we typically encounter are plumbing cleanout caps, and/or manhole covers stuck in the sidewalk concrete. These are located so early during the land development phase of a project, when the dirt guys are installing sewers, etc. that often no one checks the architecturals to see where the sidewalks go.

My interpretation of this condition is that it would apply more to commercial access, rather than residential. I agree that if a Wal-Mart had a vault in the vicinity of the main entrance, I would be talking with the contractor to get it moved.

Another way of looking at this is that old standard rule, "It's up to the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction". - I.E. the Building Official.

Bob CBO, Building Official, SC.