Accessible Beach Food Counter
Beach Concessions Food Service Counter
Recently in Florida I came across a beach concessions that had a counter for food order and pickup. The counter height was approximately 40 inches above the finished floor. See the photo on the right. Note that the counter has “Order” and “Pickup” sections.
2010 ADA Standard 904.4, Sales and Service Counters, states, “Sales counters and service counters shall comply with [Standards] 904.4.1 or 904.4.2. The accessible portion of the counter top shall extend the same depth as the sales or service counter top.” The graphic below is representative of this Standard. Note that the principle of this Standard is for the accessible portion of the counter be integral to the counter.
Accessible Counter Depth
2010 ADA Standard 904.4.1, Parallel Approach, states, “A portion of the counter surface that is 36 inches (915 mm) long minimum and 36 inches (915 mm) high maximum above the finish floor shall be provided. A clear floor or ground space complying with [Standard] 305 shall be positioned for a parallel approach adjacent to the 36 inch (915 mm) minimum length of counter. EXCEPTION: Where the provided counter surface is less than 36 inches (915 mm) long, the entire counter surface shall be 36 inches (915 mm) high maximum above the finish floor.”
2010 ADA Standard 904.4.2, Forward Approach, states, “A portion of the counter surface that is 30 inches (760 mm) long minimum and 36 inches (915 mm) high maximum shall be provided. Knee and toe space complying with [Standard] 306 shall be provided under the counter. A clear floor or ground space complying with [Standard] 305 shall be positioned for a forward approach to the counter.”
A close up of this counter shows a small section of counter that can be pulled out and raised for use by disabled individuals. See the photo below.
The photo below shows the accessible portion of the counter that is pulled up and snaps into position.
As long as the pull-up counter is at least 30 inches long and no more than 36 inches above the finished floor, this installation is acceptable as an accessible portion of the counter, even though it is not integral to the counter. But there is an issue with the fact that there are two sections of this counter, Order and Pickup, even though this is one continuous counter. In this case, each section of the counter should have an accessible portion. So there should be two of these pop-up accessible counters. 2010 ADA Standard 227.3, [Sales and Service] Counters, states, “Where provided, at least one of each type of sales counter and service counter shall comply with [Standard] 904.4. Where counters are dispersed throughout the building or facility, counters complying with [Standard] 904.4 also shall be dispersed.” An example of this principle is shown below.
Different Counters with Accessible Portions
SUMMARY: Each part of a counter that has a separate and different function needs to have its own accessible portion of counter space. Where provided, at least one of each type of sales counter and service counter shall comply with 2010 ADA Standard 904.4. Where counters are dispersed throughout the building or facility, counters complying with 2010 ADA Standard 904.4 also shall be dispersed. For additional information please see Accessible Counters.
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