9.2 Dressing and Locker Rooms, Courtrooms, Detention Cells, Self-Storage, and Classroom Acoustics
Key Takeaways
At least 5 percent, but not less than one, of each type of dressing, fitting and locker room in each cluster is accessible, with a turning space, a 903 bench and limits on door swing (IBC 1110.14 or 1110.17; A117.1 803).
Each courtroom is accessible: a wheelchair space in the jury box, gallery wheelchair spaces from Table 1109.2.2.1, an assistive listening system, and work stations on an accessible route.
Elevated courtroom employee stations need only be capable of later vertical access if a ramp, lift or elevator can be added without reconfiguring the courtroom or extending its electrical system.
Group I-3 facilities make at least 3 percent of sleeping units Accessible units (at least one per classification level) plus one of each special holding or housing cell type.
Self-service storage needs 5 percent of spaces accessible up to 200 spaces, and 10 plus 2 percent of units over 200 above that.
9.2 Dressing and Locker Rooms, Courtrooms, Detention Cells, Self-Storage, and Classroom Acoustics
Dressing, Fitting and Locker Rooms
Scoping (IBC 1110.14 in 2021; 1110.17 in 2024): where provided, at least 5 percent, but not less than one, of each type of use in each cluster is accessible. IBC 1112.1 requires the ISA at accessible rooms where not all are accessible. In existing buildings, IEBC 306.7.14 (2021) or 306.7.16 (2024) permits one accessible room on the same level where providing it at the same location is technically infeasible, with one for each sex where separate-sex facilities exist.
Technical criteria (A117.1 803):
| Section | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 803.2 | A turning space within the room |
| 803.3 | Doors may not swing into the room unless a clear floor space complying with 305.3 is provided within the room beyond the arc of the door swing |
| 803.4 | A bench complying with 903 (42 in. long, 20 to 24 in. deep, 17 to 19 in. high, back support or wall, 250 lb) |
| 803.5 | Coat hooks within a forward or side reach range; shelves 40 to 48 in. above the floor |
Judicial Facilities (IBC 1109.4 and A117.1 807)
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Courtrooms (1109.4.1) | Each courtroom is accessible |
| Jury box (1109.4.1.1) | A wheelchair space within the jury box; adjacent companion seating not required |
| Gallery seating (1109.4.1.2) | Wheelchair spaces per Table 1109.2.2.1 and designated aisle seats per 1109.2.5; technical criteria per A117.1 802 (807.5) |
| Assistive listening (1109.4.1.3) | Required in every courtroom, with receivers per Table 1109.2.7.1 |
| Employee work stations (1109.4.1.4) | Judge's bench, clerk's, bailiff's, deputy clerk's and court reporter's stations on an accessible route; vertical access to elevated stations is not required at initial construction if a ramp, lift or elevator can later be installed without reconfiguring or extending the courtroom or extending the electrical system |
| Other work stations (1109.4.1.5) | Litigant's and counsel stations, including the lectern, accessible |
| Holding cells (1109.4.2) | Central holding cells: one accessible cell of each type (adult male, juvenile male, adult female, juvenile female), or at least one where not separated; court-floor holding cells: each courtroom served by one accessible cell of each type (cells may serve several courtrooms) |
A117.1 807: each raised or depressed area provides a turning space (not required at jury box levels without wheelchair spaces); a clear floor space within each jury box and witness stand (in alterations, the wheelchair space may be outside a raised jury box or witness stand where ramps or lifts would encroach on egress); courtroom stations comply with 902 work surface criteria. Platform lifts are permitted to jury boxes, witness stands and raised or depressed courtroom areas (IBC 1110.9 Item 5 in 2021; 1110.11 in 2024).
Detention and Correctional Facilities
Scoping (IBC 1108.5.5): in Group I-3, at least 3 percent of sleeping units, but not less than one in each classification level, are Accessible units. In addition, at least one cell serving each special purpose (orientation, protective custody, administrative or disciplinary detention or segregation, detoxification and medical isolation) is an Accessible unit; cells designed without protrusions for suicide prevention need not have grab bars. Medical care facility cells required to be Accessible are in addition to medical isolation cells. Visiting areas (IBC 1110.12.2 in 2021; 1110.15 in 2024) make at least 5 percent of cubicles, but not less than one, accessible on both the visitor and detainee sides, and at least one counter where counters are provided.
Technical criteria (A117.1 806):
| Section | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 806.2.1 | Turning space within the cell |
| 806.2.2 | Where benches are provided, at least one complies with 903 |
| 806.2.3 | Where beds are provided, a clear floor space on at least one side positioned for a parallel approach |
| 806.2.4 | Toilet and bathing facilities in the cell comply with 603 |
| 806.3.1 | Where audible emergency alarms serve cells, visible alarms per 702 (not required where inmates are not allowed independent egress) |
| 806.3.2 | Telephones in cells have volume controls per 704.3 |
Self-Service Storage (IBC 1109.3)
| Total spaces | Accessible spaces |
|---|---|
| 1 to 200 | 5%, but not less than 1 |
| Over 200 | 10, plus 2% of the units over 200 |
Accessible spaces are dispersed through the classes of spaces (size, climate control), but need not exceed the table count where there are more classes than required spaces, and may all be in one building of a multiple-building facility. A facility with 450 spaces needs 10 + 0.02 x 250 = 15 accessible spaces.
Transportation Facilities (A117.1 805)
Bus stops, shelters, signs and rail platforms are covered in Section 6.2 of this guide.
Enhanced Classroom Acoustics (A117.1 808, new in 2017)
Applies to classrooms of 20,000 cubic feet or less that are required to provide enhanced acoustics (the 2021 IEBC, for example, requires A117.1 808 for certain Group E additions, Level 3 alterations and changes of occupancy).
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Reverberation, performance method | T60 at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 Hz: 0.6 s in rooms up to 10,000 cu ft; 0.7 s in rooms over 10,000 and under 20,000 cu ft; field verified per ASTM E2235 |
| Reverberation, prescriptive method | Noise reduction coefficient (NRC) ratings of finishes meeting the standard's equations |
| Ambient sound | 35 dBA and 55 dBC maximum from sources outside the classroom, and the same from sources inside, measured at 36 to 42 in. high in the furnished, unoccupied room |
A new county court building includes a raised judge's bench. Under IBC 1109.4.1.4, what is required at initial construction?
A ramp to the bench must always be built at initial construction
Only the counsel stations must be accessible; the judge's bench is fully exempt
On an accessible route, with vertical access deferrable under stated conditions
A platform lift is prohibited at judicial stations
A new Group I-3 jail has 240 sleeping units in four classification levels. What is the minimum number of Accessible units under IBC 1108.5.5.1, before counting special-purpose cells?
4
8
12
7
A clothing store provides six fitting rooms in one cluster. What does the IBC require, and what must the accessible fitting room contain under A117.1 Section 803?
One accessible fitting room with a turning space and a bench complying with Section 903
Two accessible fitting rooms with a clear floor space only
No accessible fitting room is needed with fewer than 20 rooms
One accessible fitting room with a 30 by 48 inch clear floor space and a folding seat
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