Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Analysis and Commenta ry o n the 2010 ADAStandards Accessible Fishing Piers and Platforms. resulting from conflicting accessibility Sections 237 and 1005 of the 2010 requirements, and therefore has retained this Standards require at least twenty-five percent exception. (25%) of railings, guards, or handrails (if provided) to be at a 34-inch maximum height 238 and 1006 Golf Facilities (so that a person seated in a wheelchair can cast a fishing line over the railing) and Accessible Route. Sections 206.2.15, to be located in a variety of locations on 1006.2, and 1006.3 of the 2010 Standards the fishing pier or platform to give people require an accessible route to connect all a variety of locations to fish. An exception accessible elements within the boundary allows a guard required to comply with the of the golf course and, in addition, to IBC to have a height greater than 34 inches. connect golf car rental areas, bag drop If railings, guards, or handrails are provided, areas, teeing grounds, putting greens, and accessible edge protection and clear floor weather shelters. An accessible route also or ground space at accessible railings are is required to connect any practice putting required. Additionally, at least one turning greens, practice teeing grounds, and teeing space complying with section 304.3 of the stations at driving ranges that are required 2010 Standards is required to be provided on to be accessible. An exception permits the fishing piers and platforms. accessible route requirements to be met, within the boundaries of the golf course, Commenters expressed concerns about by providing a “golf car passage” (the path the provision for fishing piers and platforms typically used by golf cars) if specifications for at the exception in section 1005.2.1 of the width and curb cuts are met. 2010 Standards that allows a maximum height of 42 inches for a guard when the Most commenters expressed the general pier or platform is covered by the IBC. Two viewpoint that nearly all golf courses provide commenters stated that allowing a 42-inch golf cars and have either well-defined paths guard or railing height for facilities covered or permit the cars to drive on the course by another building code would be difficult where paths are not present, and thus meet to enforce. They also thought that this would the accessible route requirement. hinder access for persons with disabilities because the railing height would be too high The Department received many comments for a person seated in a wheelchair to reach requesting clarification of the term “golf car over with their fishing pole in order to fish. passage.” Some commenters recommended The Department understands these concerns additional regulatory language specifying but believes that the railing height exception that an exception from a pedestrian route is necessary in order to avoid confusion requirement should be allowed only when a golf car passage provides unobstructed 154 - Guidance on the 2010 Standards: Titles II and III Department of Justice