1127A.10 Common Accessible Laundry Rooms
Where common use laundry rooms are provided, at least one of each type of appliance provided in each laundry area shall be accessible, shall be on an accessible route and shall comply with this section. Such appliances include clothes washing machines, dryers, soap dispensers and any related features such as wash sinks, tables and storage areas.
Where laundry rooms are provided on floors of an elevator building, each laundry room shall be accessible. Where there is one laundry room on a ground floor in each building, each laundry room shall be accessible. Where there is a laundry room on the ground floor of a building and another located in the basement, it is acceptable to have only the ground floor laundry room accessible.
There shall be a minimum clear space 30 inches perpendicular by 48 inches parallel (762 mm by 1219 mm) in front of clothes washers and dryers required to be accessible. There shall be a minimum clear space 30 inches by 48 inches (762 mm by 1219 mm) provided for at least one of each type of fixture or appliance provided in the laundry room (e.g., soap dispensers, wash sinks, tables, storage areas).
Clothes washers and dryers including stacked clothes washers and dryers required to be accessible shall have controls and operating mechanisims (including doors, coin slots, lint screens, detergent and bleach compartments) within the reach range of a seated user. Controls and operating mechanisms shall be located no higher than 48 inches (1219 mm), and no lower than 15 inches (381 mm), above the finished floor measured to the center of the grip. If the reach is over an obstruction (for example, washer or dryer), operating mechanisms shall be located within the reach ranges specified in Section 1138A.3. Controls and operating mechanisms that do not satisfy these specifications are acceptable, provided that comparable mechanisms, controls or outlets that perform the same functions are provided within the same area and are accessible.
Controls and operating mechanisms shall be operable with one hand and not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls and operating mechanisms shall be no greater than 5 pounds (22.2 N).
Washing machines and clothes dryers in accessible common use laundry rooms shall be front loading.
The bottom of the opening to the laundry compartment shall be located 15 inches (381 mm) minimum and 36 inches (914 mm) maximum above the finish floor.