Washing Machine and Clothes Dryer ADA Compliance
Some information provided by the US Access Board
Title III Commercial Laundry Facility
Washing machines and clothes dryers in Title II and Title III facilities must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The purpose of this article is to explain the requirements in the ADA Standards for washing machines and clothes dryers. These ADA requirements apply to various types of laundry facilities, including, but not limited to, those serving residential dwelling units, dormitories and other types of transient lodging, laundromats, and recreation facilities. These Standards apply to portable and/or temporary laundry equipment as well. The graphic on the right is representative of a Title III commercial laundromat facility.
Scoping Requirements
2010 ADA Standard 214 covers scoping requirements for washing machines and clothes dryers and Standard 611 covers technical requirements. Scoping for washing machines and clothes dryers is applied independently in Standards 214.2 and 214.3, respectively. Please see below.
2010 ADA Standard 214.2, Washing Machines, states, “Where three or fewer washing machines are provided, at least one shall comply with [Standard] 611. Where more than three washing machines are provided, at least two shall comply with [Standard] 611.”
2010 ADA Standard 214.3, Clothes Dryers, states, “Where three or fewer clothes dryers are provided, at least one shall comply with [Standard] 611. Where more than three clothes dryers are provided, at least two shall comply with [Standard] 611.”
In other words, where up to three of either machines are provided, at least one must comply with the ADA. If more than three of either machines are provided, at least two must comply with the ADA. That said, it is recommended to make most or all washing machines and clothes dryers accessible since those that are accessible may at times be unavailable.
Washing machines and clothes dryers used only by employees to perform work are not required to comply, although compliance is advisable (2010 ADA Advisory 203.9 Employee Work Areas). Designing employee work areas to be more accessible at the outset will avoid more costly retrofits when current employees become temporarily or permanently disabled, or when new employees with disabilities are hired.
Technical Requirements
As stated above, technical requirements for washing machines and clothes dryers are covered in 2010 ADA Standard 611. These Standards address both top-loading and front-loading washing machines and clothes dryers. Requirements address clear floor space, operable parts, and height, as shown in the graphic below.
ADA Technical Standards for Washer and Dryer Installations
Clear Space Centered on a Washing Machine
2010 ADA Standard 611.2, [Washing Machines and Clothes Dryers] Clear Floor Space, states, “A clear floor or ground space complying with [Standard] 305 positioned for parallel approach shall be provided. The clear floor or ground space shall be centered on the appliance.” The graphic on the right is a representative plan view where a clear space is centered on the washing machine and positioned for a parallel approach. Enclosures, including doors when open, cannot overlap or obstruct the clear floor space. Note that where a clear floor space is recessed in alcoves and confined on three sides, additional maneuvering clearance is required. For additional information about clear spaces please see Clear Space as Defined by the ADA. Note that centered clear floor spaces for each machine may partially overlap. See the graphic below.
Washing Machine and Clothes Dryer Overlapping Clear Spaces
2010 ADA Standard 611.4, [Washing Machines and Clothes Dryers] Height, states, “Top loading machines shall have the door to the laundry compartment located 36 inches (915 mm) maximum above the finish floor. Front loading machines shall have the bottom of the opening to the laundry compartment located 15 inches (380 mm) minimum and 36 inches (915 mm) maximum above the finish floor.” The graphic below is representative of this Standard.
Height Requirements for Top and Front Loading Laundry Equipment
It is recommended that top-loading machines with doors hinged on the side provide easier access than those with doors hinged at the back. Doors on front-loading machines should be hinged at the side instead of the bottom and swing as close to 180 degrees as feasible to allow greater access to the drum.
Disabled Individual Reaching for Operable Parts at Laundry Equipment
Operable Parts for laundry equipment are covered in Standards 611.3 and 309. 2010 ADA Standard 611.3, Operable Parts, states, “Operable parts, including doors, lint screens, and detergent and bleach compartments shall comply with [Standard] 309.” Operable parts for laundry machines include controls, doors, detergent and bleach compartments, and lint screens. These controls also must be within accessible reach range and usable with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, or more than 5 pounds of force (Standard 309). The graphic on the right is representative of a disabled individual reaching for operable parts at laundry equipment. It is recommended that to accommodate people who have visual impairments, operable parts should be discernable by touch or sound, without activation.
Coin slides or payment units also need to comply with operable parts requirements. Change machines and vending machines also must comply with 2010 ADA Standard 228.1, Depositories, Vending Machines, Change Machines, Mail Boxes, and Fuel Dispensers. The photo below is representative of coin operated washing machines where the coin deposit actuator is on the top of the machine and towards the front.
Coin Operated Washing Machines Where the Coin Actuator is on the Top of Machines and Towards Front.
Dispensers such as washer soap and bleach must also comply with Standards 308 and 309 for reach ranges and operable parts. The photo below is representative of a dispenser that is mounted above a folding table.
Laundry Dispenser Operable Parts Mounted in Compliance with Reach Ranges
Obstructed side reach and unit height limitations are covered in 2010 ADA Standard 308.3.2, Obstructed High Reach, which states, “Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the high side reach is over an obstruction, the height of the obstruction shall be 34 inches (865 mm) maximum and the depth of the obstruction shall be 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. The high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 10 inches (255 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 10 inches (255 mm), the high side reach shall be 46 inches (1170 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. EXCEPTION: The top of washing machines and clothes dryers shall be permitted to be 36 inches (915 mm) maximum above the finish floor.” The graphic below is representative of this exception.
Top of Laundry Equipment is Permitted to be 36 Inches Maximum Above the Finish Floor.
In other words, although top-loading washing machines create an obstruction for users with side reach to operable parts, washing machines and clothes dryers are permitted to be 36 inches maximum in height above the finish floor when the side reach for the parallel approach is 24 inches maximum in depth. It is recommended that washers and dryers with controls, including coin slides or payment units, have the controls located at the front of the machine to provide easier access and accommodate a broader range of users.
Although not specifically broken out in the 2010 ADA Standards, all-in-one laundry equipment units with a single drum that functions as both a washer and a dryer can be used if it complies with all applicable requirements. If separate washers and dryers are otherwise provided, then it is important that accessible washers and dryers also be separate appliances for equivalent usability and convenience. Where appliances are stacked, including combination washers and dryers, accessible units typically need to be separate (i.e., side-by-side) to meet reach range and door opening requirements.
Finally, it is important to remember that beyond these ADA Standards for washing machines and clothes dryers, the requirements for accessible elements at the Title II and Title III facilities also include parking, exterior routes, entrances, interior routes, protruding objects, toilet rooms, and egress.
Note that the principles of ADA compliance for washing machines and clothes dryers at Title II and III facilities can also be applied to residential homes as aging-in-place home modifications to help individuals with disabilities live in their homes longer, safer, and more comfortably. Richard Acree is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) providing consultation for aging-in-place home modifications.
SUMMARY: Washing machines and clothes dryers in Title II and Title III facilities must comply with the ADA. These ADA requirements apply to various types of laundry facilities, including, but not limited to, those serving residential dwelling units, dormitories and other types of transient lodging, laundromats, and recreation facilities. These Standards apply to portable and/or temporary laundry equipment as well. The principles of these Standards can be applied to residential home modifications for aging-in-place improvements.
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