Section 902.1/Dining and Work Surfaces
ADA 2010 Section 902 covers accessible dining surfaces and work surfaces including height, knee clearance, and clear floor space requirements.
Accessible dining surfaces and work surfaces must have a top between 28 and 34 inches above the floor. Knee clearance per Section 306 must be provided: at least 27 inches high, 25 inches deep, and 30 inches wide at the knee. A clear floor space of 30 by 48 inches must be provided for a forward approach. At least 5 percent of seating or standing spaces at dining surfaces must be accessible, and accessible spaces must be distributed throughout the dining area. For work surfaces in employee areas, at least 5 percent must be accessible. Where dining or work surfaces are provided for children, the surface height range is 26 to 30 inches with knee clearance of at least 24 inches high.
Why this section exists
Wheelchair users cannot use standard-height counters or tables without adequate knee and toe clearance underneath. A surface that is too high prevents reaching objects on it, while one that is too low prevents the wheelchair from fitting underneath. The 28 to 34-inch height range accommodates the range of wheelchair seat heights and armrest positions. The 5 percent minimum ensures accessible seating is available throughout the space rather than concentrated in one area. These requirements apply to restaurants, cafeterias, break rooms, conference tables, library reading tables, lab benches, and any other surface where people sit to eat or work.
What plan reviewers look for
Plan reviewers check furniture plans and interior elevations for accessible table and counter heights. They verify knee clearance dimensions at accessible positions. They check that 5 percent of dining positions (minimum one) are accessible and distributed throughout the dining area, not clustered in one corner. For service counters, they check that a 36-inch-maximum-height portion is at least 60 inches long for a parallel approach, or that knee clearance is provided for a forward approach. For checkout counters, at least one of each type must be accessible.