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December 15, 2014 Bowers Museum, SSA Project #14048 <br />SALLY SWANSON <br />AACWT113S fret. <br />Knee and toe space applies generally to forward approach conditions and is to be provided when a <br />turning or maneuvering space or a clear floor space passes under an accessible facility element. <br />Examples of such spaces include the area under a work or sales counter, under a lavatory or drinking <br />fountain, under an interpretive table display or similar type conditions. <br />Knee space is required to be 30" wide minimum and is defined as the area between 9" and 27" above <br />the finish floor (AFF). It is permitted to extend to a maximum of 25" in depth under an element. That is <br />not to say that an element cannot have greater than 25" in clear depth but rather, to say that only 25" <br />D maximum is allowed for the "required" portion thereof. Where the knee space is an extension of the <br />required clear space the dimensions reduce. In these conditions, the depth is limited to an 11" <br />projection at 9" AFF and 8" at a point 27" AFF. Between 9" and 27" AFF, the knee space clearance <br />reduces on a straight -line ratio of 1 "D:6 "H (see the graphic below). As noted above, open spaces <br />provided beyond the required spaces are not permitted to be included within the clear or knee space <br />allowances. <br />Toe space is defined as the area from 0" to 9" AFF. Similar to knee space, the toe space may extend <br />to a maximum of 25" in depth under an element. Where part of the required clear floor space, the <br />depth of the toe space is limited to a 6" projection beyond the required and available knee space. <br />Therefore, if conditions permit, the toe space is limited to 11" (for the knee space) plus an additional <br />6" for the toe space or, 17" maximum total. <br />Section 4.2.3 of the 1991 Standards and Section 304.3 of the 2010 Standards allow turning space to be <br />either a circular space or a T- shaped space. Section 304.3 permits turning space to include knee and <br />toe clearance complying with section 306. Section 4.2.3 of the 1991 Standards did not specifically <br />permit turning space to include knee and toe clearance. <br />The Department of Justice recognizes that the technical specifications for T- shaped and circular <br />turning spaces in the 1991 and 2010 Standards, which are based on manual wheelchair dimensions, <br />may not adequately meet the needs of individuals using larger electric scooters. However, there is no <br />consensus about the appropriate dimension on which to base revised requirements. The Access Board <br />continues to conduct research to study this issue in order to determine if new requirements are <br />warranted. <br />The Department plans to wait for the results of this study and action by the Access Board before <br />considering any changes to the Department's rules. The Department has issued a statement indicating <br />that covered entities may wish to consider providing more than the minimum amount of turning space <br />in confined spaces where a turn will be required. Appendix section A4.2.3 and Fig. A2 of the 1991 <br />Standards provide guidance on additional space for making a smooth turn without bumping into <br />surrounding objects. <br />December 15, 2014 SSA Project #14048 Page 21 of 28 <br />