Most State, Local, and County codes require a barrier free drinking fountain to be installed in a public setting. But what does this mean? For a drinking fountain to be barrier free it must be accessible to someone in a wheelchair, have proper knee clearance, and no obstructions to hinder their ability to get a drink of water from the bubbler head. This requires an ADA wall-mounted drinking fountain design. Some fountains have an up-side-down L shape, with the basin of the unit on a protruding shelf, allowing for wheelchair access underneath it. Other units have a high back-splash basin, freeing up the underside of the drinking fountain for wheelchair access. Which ever drinking fountain you choose, whether it be an Elkay, Halsey Taylor, Oasis or Haws, every major manufacturer offers barrier free options.

Being barrier free alone will not comply with ADA standards, those require specific installation according to the specification sheet. Those details include: The drinking water spouts must be no higher than 36 inches from the floor, the front edge of the drinking fountain must extend 17 to 19 inches from the wall, and a minimum 27 inches of clear height is required for adequate knee space. This knee space must be free of equipment or obstructions for a minimum of 8 inches extending from the front edge of the drinking fountain back toward the wall. There must also be a minimum of 9 inches for toe clearance space provided underneath the drinking fountain. This space has to be a distance of no more than 6 inches from the back wall. Please reference the picture for a visual guide.

A clear floor space of 48 inches by 30 inches is required for frontal approach to a wall-mounted drinking fountain. If the drinking fountain is in an alcove, the minimum width of the alcove is 30 inches, and the depth is 24 inches maximum. For a free-standing or built-in drinking fountain not having a clear space under them must have a clear floor space of at least 30 inches by 48 inches that allows a person in a wheelchair to make a parallel approach to the unit. Please reference the pictures for a visual guide.