What is the Requirement for Kitchen Sink Faucet Depth?

Kitchen Sink Faucet Depth

Recently a contractor asked a question about the distance required to a kitchen sink faucet from the front edge of a counter or cabinets at the sink for new construction. The initial answer is, “it depends.” It depends on what type of facility we are talking about. Mainly, is the sink installed in a facility that is considered a public accommodation, or is the sink installed in a multi-family housing apartment or condominium? The photo on the right is from the kitchen sink in an apartment.

If the sink is installed in a new public accommodation, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies. If the sink is installed in a new multi-family housing project (apartments or condominiums) ANSI regulations apply. For the purposes of this article the 2009 version of ANSI will be referenced.

The 2010 ADA Standards do not specifically address the maximum allowable distance from the center of the faucet to either the front edge of the kitchen countertop or the face of the cabinet.  However, indirectly, the reach range requirements do cover these installations.  More importantly, kitchen installations at the sink should also take into consideration other elements such as appliance controls and outlets and switches mounted on the wall above/behind the kitchen counters.  Whether it be a sink faucet, appliance controls, or electrical outlets or switches on the wall above/behind the counters, there is a reach range requirement depending on the type of approach, forward or side/parallel.  There are also differences depending on which regulations are applied.  The options being the ADA for Title II or III facilities, or ANSI for multi-family dwelling units.  Of course there can also be State or local requirements.

2010 ADA Standard 606.4, [Lavatories and Sinks] Faucets, states, "Controls for faucets shall comply with 309 [Operable Parts]. Hand-operated metering faucets shall remain open for 10 seconds minimum."

2010 ADA Standard 309.3, [Operable Parts] Height, states, "Operable parts shall be placed within one or more of the reach ranges specified in 308 [Reach Ranges]."

2010 ADA Standard 308.3.2, [Reach Range, Side Reach] Obstructed High Reach, states, "Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the high side reach is over an obstruction [counter or sink], 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."  The graphic below is representative of this Standard.

Side Reach Range Limits from 2010 ADA Standards

So for a side/parallel approach over an obstruction [the counter or cabinets], the maximum reach to an operable part [appliance control, electrical outlet or wall switch] or faucet is 24 inches from the front edge of the counter or the cabinets, whichever is furthest away.

2010 ADA Standard 308.2.2, [Reach Range, Forward Reach] Obstructed High Reach, states, "Where a high forward reach is over an obstruction [sink/counter or cabinets], the clear floor space shall extend beneath the element for a distance not less than the required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum where the reach depth is 20 inches (510 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 20 inches (510 mm), the high forward reach shall be 44 inches (1120 mm) maximum and the reach depth shall be 25 inches (635 mm) maximum."  In other words, for a sink that allows a forward approach [knee and toe clearance space], the maximum depth to an operable part [appliance control, electrical outlet or wall switch] or faucet is 25 inches from the front edge of the counter or the cabinets, whichever is furthest away. The graphic below is representative of this requirement.

Forward Reach Range Over an Obstruction

For Title II and III facilities, 2010 ADA Standard 804.6.2, [Kitchens and Kitchenettes, Appliances] Operable Parts, states, "All appliance controls shall comply with [Standard] 309 [Operable Parts]."  There are exceptions for appliance doors and door latching devices and bottom-hinged appliance doors.  

2010 ADA Standard 606.2, [Lavatories and Sinks] Clear Floor Space, states, "A clear floor space complying with 305, positioned for a forward approach, and knee and toe clearance complying with 306 shall be provided."  The following exceptions apply.

1.  A parallel approach complying with 305 shall be permitted to a kitchen sink in a space where a cooktop or conventional range is not provided and to wet bars.

2.  In residential dwelling units, cabinetry shall be permitted under lavatories and kitchen sinks provided that all of the following conditions are met:(a) the cabinetry can be removed without removal or replacement of the fixture;(b) the finish floor extends under the cabinetry; and(c) the walls behind and surrounding the cabinetry are finished.

3.  A knee clearance of 24 inches (610 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground shall be permitted at lavatories and sinks used primarily by children 6 through 12 years where the rim or counter surface is 31 inches (785 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.

4.  A parallel approach complying with 305 shall be permitted to lavatories and sinks used primarily by children 5 years and younger.

5.  The dip of the overflow shall not be considered in determining knee and toe clearances.

6.  No more than one bowl of a multi-bowl sink shall be required to provide knee and toe clearance complying with 306.

The requirements for multi-family housing are different when ANSI requirements are applied.  ANSI requirements apply to those elements and spaces that are available to the residents and their guests, which includes the dwelling units and common areas.  In the dwelling units, there are different requirements depending on whether the dwelling unit is an accessible unit, Type A unit, or Type B unit.

Apartments that are covered by 2009 ANSI 1002 are accessible dwelling units.  The requirements in these units are similar to that discussed above for the ADA.

Type A dwelling units are covered by 2009 ANSI 1003.  2009 ANSI 1003.12.4.3, [Type A Units, Kitchens and Kitchenettes, Sinks] Faucets, states, "Faucets shall comply with Section 309."  2009 ANSI Section 309 [and 308, Reach Ranges] is similar to 2010 ADA Standards 309 and 308.  See above.

2009 ANSI 1003.9, Operable Parts, states, "Lighting controls, electrical panel boards, electrical switches and receptacle outlets, environmental controls, appliance controls, operating hardware for operable windows, plumbing fixture controls, and user controls for security or intercom systems shall comply with Section 309 [Operable Parts]."  The exceptions include:  2. Where two or more receptacle outlets are provided in a kitchen above a length of counter top that is uninterrupted by a sink or appliance, one receptacle outlet shall not be required to comply with Section 309 [Operable Parts].

Type B dwelling units are covered by 2009 ANSI 1004.  2009 ANSI 1004.9, Operable Parts, states, "Lighting controls, electrical switches and receptacle outlets, environmental controls, electrical panelboards, and user controls for security or intercom systems shall comply with Sections 309.2 [clear space] and 309.3 [reach ranges]."  One exception is: Within kitchens and bathrooms, lighting controls, electrical switches and receptacle outlets are permitted to be located over cabinets with counter tops 36 inches (915 mm) maximum in height and 25 1/2 inches (650 mm) maximum in depth."

In summary, the distance from the front edge of a kitchen counter or cabinets to the sink faucet is covered by Standard 309 in the 2010 ADA Standards and 2009 ANSI.  However, this distance will likely be affected by the reach range requirements of the adjacent appliance controls and/or outlets and switches mounted on the wall above/behind the counter.  In most installations the maximum distance to the sink faucet will be less than 24 inches. As I mentioned earlier, State and/or local regulations may also apply.

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If you observe a Title III public accommodation or an apartment building that is not ADA compliant [or ANSI for the apartment building] 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. Or call Richard Acree at 615-752-0060.

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, or call Richard at 615-752-0060, or email inspections4ada@gmail.com .

Thank you