Wheelchair-friendly epoxy tables: the ADA numbers
A thick river-table top and a heavy apron look great, but they can block a wheelchair user’s knees. The federal ADA accessibility guidelines give clear dimensions. They are written for covered public facilities like restaurants and offices, and they make a good guide for homes too.
- Accessible dining and work surface tops must be 28 inches minimum and 34 inches maximum above the floor.
- Knee clearance is the space between 9 and 27 inches above the floor, and must be at least 30 inches wide.
- Where required, knee clearance must be at least 11 inches deep at 9 inches high and 8 inches deep at 27 inches high.
- Plan the apron, stretchers and base so they stay out of that zone at accessible seats.
Surface height
Section 902.3 of the 36 CFR Part 1191, Appendix D: ADA Accessibility Guidelines technical requirements (sections 902 and 306) says: “The tops of dining surfaces and work surfaces shall be 28 inches (710 mm) minimum and 34 inches (865 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.” Section 902.2 requires a clear floor space for a forward approach, with knee and toe clearance under section 306.
Knee clearance
- Zone: space “between 9 inches (230 mm) and 27 inches (685 mm) above the finish floor” counts as knee clearance.
- Width: “30 inches (760 mm) wide minimum.”
- Depth: where required, “11 inches (280 mm) deep minimum at 9 inches” and “8 inches (205 mm) deep minimum at 27 inches.” Knee clearance counts to a maximum of 25 inches deep at 9 inches high.
What that means for an epoxy table
Work backward from the top. A 1.5- to 2-inch slab on a 29- to 30-inch-high table leaves the underside around 27 to 28 inches, so the apron is usually what breaks the 27-inch clearance. Options:
- Skip the apron at accessible seats, or use a steel base with legs set in from the ends.
- Choose a trestle or pedestal base that leaves at least 30 inches of clear width.
- Confirm the finished top height lands between 28 and 34 inches.
See attaching table bases for base hardware. Tell us about accessible seating when you order a custom table.
Measurements quoted from the ADA Accessibility Guidelines technical requirements, sections 902 and 306 (36 CFR Part 1191, Appendix D). This is general information, not a compliance certification. Check with your architect or local code official.
Header image: Photo: “Restaurant table at Amantaka luxury Resort & Hotel in Luang Prabang Laos” by Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped).