What's Wrong With This Photo? 10/10/18

Look at the photo below. What you are looking at is a sink/lavatory in a toilet room of a public building. Specifically a restaurant. In terms of ADA compliance, meaning Americans with Disabilities Act, what’s wrong? (HINT: The sink and faucet are accessible, in other words, OK within ADA standards.)

Still not sure? OK, I’ll zoom in on the real issue. See the photo below.

ANSWER: The water supply and drain pipes below the sink are exposed. 2010 ADA Standard 606.5, [Lavatory] Exposed Pipes and Surfaces, states, “Water supply and drain pipes under lavatories and sinks shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact. There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatories and sinks.” So these pipes should be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact. Think about a handicapped person in a wheel chair trying to pull up to use the sink. If the pipes are exposed, they could get burned from hot pipes or injured from abrasive surfaces or edges. There is more than one way to do this correctly. The photo below is one common installation where insulation was installed.

If you have any questions, please call me at 615-752-0060, or comment below.

If you observe a building that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

Thank you.