8.3 Telephones, ATMs and Fare Machines, Two-Way Communication Systems, and Detectable Warnings
Key Takeaways
Wheelchair accessible telephones need a clear floor space, a 10-inch maximum reach over an enclosure edge for a parallel approach (20 inches for forward), push-button controls and a 29-inch cord.
Volume-control telephones provide gain up to 20 dB with an intermediate step of 12 dB and automatic reset; TTY keypads are 34 inches minimum high when in use.
ATMs and fare machines need a clear floor space, Section 309 operable parts, a 12-key layout with a raised dot on 5, raised function key symbols, a screen visible from 40 inches, speech output and braille instructions.
Detectable warnings use truncated domes 0.9 to 1.4 inches in base diameter, 0.2 inch high, 1.6 to 2.4 inches on center in a square grid, 24 inches deep, contrasting light-on-dark or dark-on-light.
Two-way communication systems provide both visual and audible signals, handset cords are 29 inches minimum, and telephone entry systems comply with DASMA 303.
8.3 Telephones, ATMs and Fare Machines, Two-Way Communication Systems, and Detectable Warnings
These elements are a small share of the outline (Telephones, Assistive Listening Systems and ATMs 1%; Detectable Warnings 1%), but the questions are usually direct recall of A117.1 numbers.
Where the Scoping Comes From
IBC Chapter 11 does not itself scope public telephones, ATMs or entry systems. Those are scoped in IBC Appendix E (Supplementary Accessibility Requirements), which applies only where the jurisdiction adopts it, and in federal ADA regulations. Appendix E requires, for example, at least one machine of each type at each location where ATMs or fare machines are provided, accessible two-way communication systems used to gain admittance, and wheelchair accessible, volume-control and TTY telephones in specified numbers. Detectable warnings are scoped in IBC 1110.13 (2024; 1110.11 in 2021) for transit platform edges and in A117.1 406.6.2 for street crossings.
Public Telephones (A117.1 Section 704)
| Item | Section | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Clear floor space | 704.2.1 | Not obstructed by bases, enclosures or seats (drive-up only phones exempt) |
| Parallel approach | 704.2.1.1 | Edge of the enclosure to the face of the telephone 10 in. maximum |
| Forward approach | 704.2.1.2 | Front edge of a counter in the enclosure to the face of the telephone 20 in. maximum |
| Operable parts | 704.2.2 | Comply with 309; push-button controls where service is available |
| Directories | 704.2.3 | Comply with 309 |
| Cord length | 704.2.4 | 29 in. minimum |
| Volume control | 704.3 | Gain adjustable up to 20 dB minimum; incremental controls have at least one intermediate step of 12 dB; automatic reset |
| TTY | 704.4 | Permanently affixed within or adjacent to the enclosure |
| TTY height | 704.5 | Touch surface of the keypad 34 in. minimum above the floor (not required where seats are provided) |
| TTY shelf | 704.6 | Shelf and outlet where phones accommodate portable TTYs, with 6 in. vertical clearance above the TTY area |
| Visual relay service booth | 704.7 | Seating and privacy enclosure, two-way video, 20 footcandles diffuse lighting, flat bright green or blue background |
Volume-controlled telephones are identified by a handset with radiating sound waves (703.6.3.4) and TTYs by the International Symbol of TTY (703.6.3.2).
ATMs and Fare Machines (A117.1 Section 707)
| Item | Section | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Clear floor space | 707.2 | In front of the machine (not required at drive-up only machines) |
| Operable parts | 707.3 | Comply with 309; each part distinguishable by sound or touch without activation, unless a clear or correct key is provided |
| Privacy | 707.4 | Same degree of privacy of input and output for all users |
| Numeric keys | 707.5 | 12-key ascending or descending telephone layout; the 5 key has a single raised dot |
| Function keys | 707.6 | Raised symbols: Enter or Proceed = circle; Clear or Correct = left arrow; Cancel = X; Add value = plus; Decrease value = minus; keys contrast with the background |
| Display screen | 707.7 | Visible from 40 in. above the center of the clear floor space; sans serif characters with the "I" 3/16 in. minimum |
| Speech output | 707.8 | Speech enabled; instructions, prompts, verification, errors and all displayed information usable by people with vision impairments; delivered through an industry standard connector or handset; user can repeat, interrupt and adjust volume; receipts provided audibly except for location, date, time, account number and machine identifier |
| Input controls | 707.9 | At least one tactually discernible control for each function |
| Braille instructions | 707.10 | Braille instructions for initiating speech mode |
Two-Way Communication Systems (A117.1 Section 708)
Two-way communication systems, such as entry intercoms, provide both visual and audible signals (708.2); handset cords are 29 in. minimum (708.3); telephone entry systems comply with ANSI/DASMA 303 (708.4). The IBC 1009.8 egress communication system is a separate requirement covered in Section 5.3.
Detectable Warnings (A117.1 Section 705)
| Item | Section | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Standardization | 705.2 | Standard within a building, facility, site or complex |
| Contrast | 705.3 | Contrast visually with adjacent surfaces, light-on-dark or dark-on-light |
| Interior locations | 705.4 | Differ from adjoining walking surfaces in resiliency or sound-on-cane contact |
| Dome size | 705.5.1 | Base diameter 0.9 to 1.4 in.; top diameter 50 to 65 percent of the base |
| Dome height | 705.5.2 | 0.2 in. |
| Dome spacing | 705.5.3 | 1.6 to 2.4 in. center to center; 0.65 in. minimum base to base |
| Alignment | 705.5.4 | Square grid |
| Depth | 705.6 | 24 in. minimum in the direction of travel |
| Width | 705.6 | Full width of the curb ramp run (excluding flares) or blended transition; full width of at-grade rail crossings; full length of public use areas of bus and rail boarding platforms |
Placement (705.7)
- Perpendicular curb ramps: at the back of curb where the ends of the bottom grade break are in front of the back of curb; on the ramp run within one dome spacing of the bottom grade break where the grade break is behind the back of curb by 60 in. or less; on the lower landing at the back of curb where that distance is more than 60 in.
- Parallel curb ramps: on the turning space at the flush transition between street and sidewalk.
- Blended transitions: at the back of curb, or at the flush transition for raised crossings and depressed corners.
- Cut-through refuge islands: at the island edges, separated by at least 24 in. without warnings.
- At-grade rail crossings: on each side, the nearest edge 6 to 15 ft from the centerline of the nearest rail (on the side of any pedestrian gates away from the rail).
- Boarding platforms: at the boarding edge.
Under ICC A117.1 Section 705.5, what is the required height of a truncated dome on a detectable warning surface?
0.2 inch
0.1 inch
0.25 inch
0.375 inch
What raised symbol identifies the Enter or Proceed function key on an accessible ATM under ICC A117.1 Section 707.6.1?
A left arrow
An X
A plus sign
A circle
A volume-control public telephone is installed. What gain must its receiver volume control provide under ICC A117.1 Section 704.3?
Up to 12 dB with no intermediate step
Up to 20 dB, a 12 dB intermediate step, and automatic reset
Fixed amplification of 30 dB
Adjustable up to 15 dB, with a manual reset after each call
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.