1994 Architectural Barriers Texas Accessibility Standards (1994 TAS)
Please note: The 2012 TAS became effective March 15, 2012. The 1994 TAS appears below for your convenience.
Section 2 - General
2.1 Provisions for Adults and Children. The specifications in ADAAG are based upon adult dimensions and anthropometrics and do not set out adjusted specifications suitable for children. Some of the specifications contained in these standards have been derived from human data relative to children between the ages of four and 15 and are presented in 2.1.1 by age and school grade categories.
2.1.1 Mounting Heights for Adults and Children. In addition to the minimum requirements of 4.1, when children under high school age (typically 14 or 15) are the primary users of a building or facility (such as day care centers, elementary or middle schools, children's museums or children's areas of museums, children's reading rooms in libraries, etc.), mounting heights and reach-ranges of various elements, fixtures, and equipment, shall be adjusted to meet the needs of the appropriate age group. The elements, fixtures and equipment listed in the table below shall comply with the corresponding requirements. When facilities serve children under the age of four, the lower dimensions listed shall be used.
EXCEPTION: In facilities serving children under the age of four, water closet seat heights may be lower than 14" but not higher than 15".
| Element, Fixture or Equipment |
Ages 4 - 10 or 11;
Grades Pre-K - 5 or 6
|
Ages 11 - 14 or 15;
Grades: 6 - 8 or 9
|
| Reach Ranges |
|
|
| Frontal Approach |
42" max.
|
45" max.
|
| Side Approach |
48" max.
|
51" max.
|
| Ramps and Stairs |
|
|
| Top of Handrail Gripping Surface |
28" - 34"
|
30" - 34"
|
| Elevators |
|
|
| Car Control Floor Buttons |
|
|
| Frontal Approach |
42" max.
|
45" max.
|
| Side Approach |
48" max.
|
51" max.
|
| Emergency Communication |
|
|
| Highest Operable Part |
42" max.
|
45" max.
|
| Platform Lifts (Wheelchair Lifts)* |
|
|
| Controls/Operating Mechanisms |
28" - 42"
|
28" - 45"
|
| Drinking Fountains and Water Coolers |
|
|
| Frontal Approach |
|
|
| Spout Height (to outlet) |
32" max.
|
34" max.
|
| Knee Clearance |
26" min.
|
28" min.
|
| Side Approach |
|
|
| Spout Height (to outlet) |
32" max.
|
34" max.
|
| Water Closets |
|
|
| Top of Seat |
14" - 15"
|
15" - 17"
|
| Grab Bars |
28" - 30"
|
30" - 32"
|
| Flush Controls |
42" max.
|
44" max.
|
| Urinals |
|
|
| Rim of Basin |
14" max.
|
16" max.
|
| Flush Controls |
42" max.
|
44" max.
|
| Lavatories and Sinks |
|
|
| Rim or Counter Surface |
30" max.
|
32" max.
|
| Knee Clearance |
26" min.
|
28" min.
|
| To Faucets From Front Edge |
18" max.
|
20" max.
|
| Mirrors |
|
|
| To Bottom of Reflective Surface |
34" max.
|
37" max.
|
| Bathtubs |
|
|
| Top of Seat |
14" - 15"
|
15" - 16"
|
| Grab Bars |
28" - 30"
|
30" - 32"
|
| Hand Shower Head Mounting |
42" max.
|
45" max.
|
| Shower Stalls |
|
|
| Top of Seat |
14" - 15"
|
15" - 16"
|
| Grab Bars |
28" - 30"
|
30" - 32"
|
| Hand Shower Head Mounting |
|
|
| Frontal Approach |
42" max.
|
45" max.
|
| Side Approach |
48" max.
|
51" max.
|
| Storage |
|
|
| Frontal Approach |
42" max.
|
45" max.
|
| Side Approach |
|
|
| Distance from wheelchair |
|
|
| 0" - 10" |
48" max.
|
51" max.
|
| 10" - 21" |
42" max.
|
45" max.
|
| Controls and Operating Mechanisms |
|
|
| Highest Operable Part |
|
|
| Frontal Approach |
42" max.
|
45" max.
|
| Side Approach |
48" max.
|
51" max.
|
| Telephones |
|
|
| Highest Operable Part |
|
|
| Frontal Approach |
42" max.
|
45" max.
|
| Side Approach |
48" max.
|
51" max.
|
Fixed or Built-in Seating and Tables,
Reading and Study Areas, and Work Stations
|
|
|
| Height of Tables or Counters |
28" - 30"
|
28" - 32"
|
| Knee Clearances |
26"
|
28"
|
| Dressing and Fitting Rooms |
|
|
| Top of Bench |
14" - 15"
|
15" - 17"
|
| Food Service Lines |
|
|
| Top of Tray Slide |
30" max.
|
32" max.
|
*When permitted under Exception 4, section 4.1.3(5).
|
2.1.2 Mixed Use Buildings and Facilities. When two age groups are primary users (such as in Elementary/Middle Schools and Junior/Senior High Schools), or when facilities are intended for use by various age groups and have no characteristics that reflect a predominant age group (such as community swimming pools and amusement parks) mounting heights shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact the commission for additional information and assistance.
2.2* Equivalent Facilitation. With the approval of the commissioner in accordance with the variance procedures contained in Rule 68.31, departures from particular technical and scoping requirements of this standard by using other designs and technologies may be permitted where the alternative designs and technologies used will provide substantially equivalent or greater access to and usability of the facility.
