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Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY

Section 1139A — ACCESSIBLE DRINKING FOUNTAINS

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

1139A.1 General.

Drinking fountains and water coolers in common use areas and/or sites shall comply with this section. A side approach drinking fountain is not acceptable. (See Figure 11A-11A.)

1139A.2 Accessible route.

Drinking fountains and water coolers shall be on an accessible route.

1139A.3 Depth.

Drinking fountains shall be a minimum of 18 inches (457 mm) and a maximum of 19 inches (483 mm) in depth.

1139A.4 Clear floor space.

Drinking fountains shall be provided with 30 inches by 48 inches (762 mm by 1219 mm) clear floor space, centered on the unit. The clear floor space shall be positioned for a forward approach.

1139A.4.1 Knee and toe space. Drinking fountains shall be provided with a clear and unobstructed knee and toe space. Knee and toe space shall comply with Section 1138A.2.

1139A.5 Spout location.

The spout shall be located 15 inches (381 mm) minimum from the vertical support and 5 inches (127 mm) maxi- mum from the front edge of the drinking fountain, including bumpers. Spout outlets shall be 36 inches (914 mm) maximum above the finish floor.

1139A.6 Water flow.

The spout shall provide a flow of water at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) high to allow the insertion of a cup or glass under the flow of water. The angle of the water stream shall be measured horizontally relative to the front face of the unit. When spouts are located less than 3 inches (76 mm) from the front of the unit, the angle of the water stream shall be 30 degrees maximum. When spouts are located between 3 inches (76 mm) and 5 inches (127 mm) maximum from the front of the unit, the angle of the water stream shall be 15 degrees maximum.

1139A.7 Controls and operating mechanisms.

The flow of water shall be activated by manually or electronically operated controls. The manually operated controls shall be front mounted or side mounted, located within 6 inches (152 mm) of the front edge of the foun- tain. The force required to activate controls shall be no greater than 5 pounds (22.2 N).

1139A.8 Location.

Drinking fountains shall be located completely within alcoves, between wing walls or otherwise positioned so as not to encroach into pedestrian ways. The alcove or otherwise protected area in which the drinking fountain is located shall not be less than 32 inches (813 mm) in width and 18 inches (457 mm) in depth. When the depth of the protected area where the drinking fountain is located exceeds 24 inches (610 mm), additional maneuvering clearance shall be provided in accordance with Section 1138A.1.4.2 and Figure 11A-1H.

11A-40 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY

When provided, wing walls shall project out from the supporting wall at least as far as the drinking fountain to within 6 inches (152.4 mm) vertically from the finish floor.

Protruding objects located in alcoves or otherwise positioned so as to limit encroachment into pedestrian ways are permitted to proj- ect 4 inches (101.6 mm) into walks, halls, corridors, passageways or aisles. (See Figure 11A-11A.)

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  4. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
  5. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  6. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR W…
  9. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  10. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  11. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  12. Chapter 11 — RESERVED
  13. ▸ Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
    Overview
    1. Section 1101A — APPLICATION
    2. Section 1102A — BUILDING ACCESSIBILITY
    3. Section 1103A — DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
    4. Section 1104A — COVERED MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGS
    5. Section 1105A — GARAGES, CARPORTS AND PARKING FACILITIES
    6. Section 1106A — SITE AND BUILDING CHARACTERISTICS
    7. Section 1107A — DEFINITIONS
    8. Section 1108A — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBLE PARKING AN…
    9. Section 1109A — PARKING FACILITIES
    10. Section 1110A — EXTERIOR ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    11. Section 1111A — CHANGES IN LEVEL ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    12. Section 1112A — CURB RAMPS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    13. Section 1113A — WALKS AND SIDEWALKS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    14. Section 1114A — EXTERIOR RAMPS AND LANDINGS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    15. Section 1115A — EXTERIOR STAIRWAYS
    16. Section 1116A — HAZARDS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    17. Section 1117A — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES,…
    18. Section 1118A — EGRESS AND AREAS OF REFUGE
    19. Section 1119A — INTERIOR ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    20. Section 1120A — RESERVED
    21. Section 1121A — CHANGES IN LEVEL ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    22. Section 1122A — INTERIOR RAMPS AND LANDINGS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    23. Section 1123A — INTERIOR STAIRWAYS
    24. Section 1124A — ELEVATORS AND PLATFORM (WHEELCHAIR) LIFTS
    25. Section 1125A — HAZARDS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    26. Section 1126A — DOORS, GATES AND WINDOWS
    27. Section 1127A — COMMON USE FACILITIES
    28. Section 1128A — COVERED DWELLING UNITS
    29. Section 1129A — RESERVED
    30. Section 1130A — ACCESSIBLE ROUTE WITHIN COVERED MULTIFAMILY DW…
    31. Section 1131A — CHANGES IN LEVEL ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    32. Section 1132A — DOORS
    33. Section 1133A — KITCHENS
    34. Section 1134A — BATHING AND TOILET FACILITIES
    35. Section 1135A — LAUNDRY ROOMS
    36. Section 1136A — ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE, SWITCH AND CONTROL HEIG…
    37. Section 1137A — OTHER FEATURES AND FACILITIES
    38. Section 1138A — SPACE ALLOWANCES AND REACH RANGES
    39. Section 1139A — ACCESSIBLE DRINKING FOUNTAINS
    40. Section 1140A — ACCESSIBLE TELEPHONES
    41. Section 1141A — ACCESSIBLE SWIMMING POOLS
    42. Section 1142A — ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE, SWITCH AND CONTROL HEIG…
    43. Section 1143A — SIGNAGE
    44. Section 1144A — RESERVED
    45. Section 1145A — RESERVED
    46. Section 1146A — RESERVED
    47. Section 1147A — RESERVED
    48. Section 1148A — RESERVED
    49. Section 1149A — RESERVED
    50. Section 1150A — SITE IMPRACTICALITY TESTS
  14. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  15. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  16. Chapter 13 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  17. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  18. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  19. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  20. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  22. Chapter 17A — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 18A — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  25. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  26. Chapter 19A — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 21A — MASONRY
  30. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  31. Chapter 22A — STEEL
  32. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  33. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  34. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  35. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  36. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  37. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  38. Chapter 29 — PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  39. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  40. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  41. Chapter 31A — SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING…
  42. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  43. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  44. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  45. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  46. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  47. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  48. Chapter 34 — RESERVED
  49. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  50. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  51. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  52. Appendix C — GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  54. Appendix E — RESERVED
  55. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  56. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
  57. Appendix H — SIGNS
  58. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  59. Appendix J — GRADING
  60. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES PROTECTED B…
  61. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION
  62. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARDS
  63. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  64. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION
  65. Appendix P — SLEEPING LOFTS
  66. Appendix Q — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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