We often get questions concerning drinking fountain requirements when a single unit is specified.
Section 403 of the Florida Building Code – Plumbing 6th Edition (2017)
States: 403.1 minimum number of plumbing fixtures. Plumbing fixtures shall be provided in the minimum number as shown in table 403.1, based on the actual use of the building or space. Uses not shown in the table 403.1 shall be considered individually by the code official. The number of occupants shall be determined by the Florida Building Code, Building.
Section 410 of The Florida Building Code – Plumbing 6th Edition (2017)
Provides specific details for drinking fountains.
410.1 Approval. Drinking fountains shall conform to ASME A112.19.1/CSA B45.2 or ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 and water coolers shall conform to AHRI 1010. Drinking fountains and water coolers shall conform to NSF 61, Section 9. Electrically operated, refrigerated drinking water coolers shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 399.
410.2 Small occupancies. Drinking fountains shall not be required for an occupant load of 15 or fewer.
[BE] 410.3 Provide high and low drinking fountains. Where drinking fountains are not required, not fewer than two drinking fountains shall be provided. One drinking fountain shall comply with the requirements for people who use a wheelchair and one drinking fountain shall comply with the requirements for standing persons.
Exceptions:
A single drinking fountain with two separate spouts that complies with the requirements for people who use a wheelchair and standing persons shall be permitted to be substituted for two separate drinking fountains.
Reserved.
410.4 Substitution. Where restaurants provide drinking water in a container free of charge, drinking fountains shall not be required in those restaurants. In other occupancies where drinking fountains are required, water dispensers shall be permitted to be substituted for not more than 50 percent of the required number of drinking fountains.
410.5 Prohibited location. Drinking fountains, water coolers and water dispensers shall not be installed in public restrooms.
602 DRINKING FOUNTAINS
Section 602 of the Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction provides the details for an accessible drinking fountain.
602.1 General. Drinking fountains shall comply with 307 and 602.
602.2 Clear Floor Space. Units shall have a clear floor or ground space complying with 305 positioned for a forward approach and centered on the unit. Knee and toe clearance complying with 306 shall be provided.
EXCEPTION: A parallel approach complying with 305 shall be permitted at units for children’s use where the spout is 30inches (760mm) maximum above finish floor or ground and is 3 ½ inches (90mm) maximum from the front edge of the unit, including bumpers.
602.3 Operable Parts. Operable parts shall comply with 309.
602.4 Spout Height. Spout outlets shall be 36 inches (915mm) maximum from the vertical support and 5 inches (125mm) maximum from the front edge of the unit, including bumpers.
602.6 Water Flow. The spout shall provide a flow of water 4 inches (100mm) high minimum and shall be located 5 inches (125 mm) maximum from the front of the unit. The angle of water stream shall be measured horizontally relative to the front of the unit. Where spouts are located less than 3 inches (75 mm) of the front of the unit, the angle of the water stream shall b e 30 degrees maximum from the front of the unit, the angle of the water stream shall be 15 degrees maximum.
Advisory 602.6 Water Flow. The purpose of the drinking fountain spout to produce a flow of water 4 inches (100 mm) high minimum is so that a cup can be inserted under the flow of water to provide a drink of water for an individual who, because of a disability, would otherwise be incapable of using the drinking fountain,
602.7 Drinking Fountains for Standing Persons. Spout outlets of drinking fountains for standing persons shall be 38 inches (965 mm) minimum and 43 inches (1090 mm) maximum above finish floor or ground.
If only one drinking fountain is provided it must meet both Hi – Low requirements