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All You Need to Know About ADA Lockers & How to Make Them Accessible

ADA Compliant Lockers

All You Need to Know About ADA Lockers & How to Make Them Accessible

Whenever you’re installing new lockers, it's important that you follow accessible design standards as specified by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). So what are the requirements exactly? In this helpful guide, we'll cover everything you need to about ADA-compliant lockers and how to make your installation user-friendly for everyone. Although the ADA does not address lockers exclusively, it does offer advisable features and directions for achieving accessibility within a facility. Anytime you are dealing with the general public, the recommended changes should be made to ensure that every user can easily access their locker without compromising safety. To be considered compliant, the ADA requires at least 5% of the lockers provided, but no less than one locker should be dedicated to wheelchair accessibility.

Please note: These ADA guidelines are federally mandated regulations, but may not cover all accessibility standards set forth by local municipalities. Always confirm accessibility standards with your local building codes to ensure full compliance. 

Accessible Lockers
Read the full 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design handbook here.

Wheelchair Reach Requirements

So what makes a locker accessible? The best rule of thumb is ensuring that your lockers adhere to the ADA’s Wheelchair Reach Requirements. These requirements define specific heights in which a person in a wheelchair can easily reach shelves from a seated position, in both a forward or parallel approach. These specifications also ensure that any items dropped or placed on the lower shelf are also accessible to the user. Reach requirements can be met by making a few minor adjustments to locker shelves, hardware, and locker placement during installation. For a visual reference on how to modify your lockers for compliance, please see our ADA Design Standards for Lockers below.

ADA Forward Reach

Forward Reach

A forward reach from a wheelchair is covered under Section 308.2.1 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and states that, “Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.” 

ADA Side Reach Requirements

Side Reach

Side reach requirements can be found in Section 308.3.1 of the same handbook and are clarified as “Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the side reach is unobstructed, the high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.”

ADA Turning Radius Requirements

Turning Radius

Turning radius refers to the turning space a wheelchair needs to make a full 180-degree turn. It also refers to the locker door’s swinging space. It is recommended that lockers are installed at least 24” away from walls and other obstacles to allow for a minimum floor clearance of 30” x 48” with a 10” minimum for door swing.

 

ADA Design Standards for Lockers

ADA compliant single tier lockersADA-Compliant Single Tier Lockers
In order for single-tier lockers to be considered ADA compliant, the topmost shelf must be installed at no higher or lower than 48” above the finished floor. Additionally, a second shelf will need to be installed at exactly 15” from the floor level.


ADA-Compliant Double Tier Lockers
For ADA compliance in double tier lockers, you will only need to add one extra shelf to the lower compartment to bring the locker bottom to 15” above the finished floor. Only the lower compartment of the locker will be utilized for ADA compliance, no changes need to be made to the top compartment. 

ADA Triple Tier Lockers
ADA-Compliant Triple Tier Lockers
In order to make your triple tier lockers ADA compliant, you will need to add two extra shelves. The first shelf will be installed in the middle compartment at exactly 48” above the finished floor. The second shelf addition will be made in the bottom compartment at 15” above the floor. Note that only the middle and lower compartments of the locker will be utilized for ADA compliance. 

ADA LOCKER LOCKS & HARDWARE

ADA Compliant Locker LockThe addition of ADA-compliant locker handles and locker locks are another way your facility can improve usability for users with ADA Locker Hardwarespecial needs. As stated in section 309 of the handbook, “Hardware that requires simultaneous hand and finger movement is not recommended as it requires greater dexterity and coordination. Handles should be operable with one hand and should not require tight pinching, twisting or more than 5lb of force.” ADA-approved door hardware should have a shape that can be easily grasped with one hand and does not require tight gripping, pinching or twisting of the wrist in order to open. In order for handles to be considered compliant, the door should be able to open using closed fingers. The most common ADA-approved handle is a recessed handle with a lock bar or single point, these are available for most single to triple tier lockers. 


There are a variety of ADA locker locks and keys available on the market that have been modified for easier operation. These more user-friendly styles include simplified interfaces, styles requiring less than 5 lb. of force for opening and larger key heads for easier handling. Shop our full selection of accessible locker locks and lock accessories to accommodate users with special needs.

 

➥ Need help planning your ADA locker installation? We can recommend accessible locker options and can guide you through all the necessary steps to ensure compliance. Contact our locker experts by quote request, call or email.