1140A Accessible Telephones — 2025 California Building Code

When public telephones are provided, they shall comply with this section. On floors where public telephones are provided, at least one telephone shall be accessible. On any floor where two or more banks of multiple telephones are provided, at least one telephone in each bank shall be accessible.

A clear floor or ground space at least 30 inches by 48 inches (762 mm by 1219 mm) that allows either a forward or parallel approach by a person using a wheelchair shall be provided at telephones. The clear floor or ground space shall comply with Section 1138A.1.4. Bases, enclosures and fixed seats shall not impede approaches to telephones by people who use wheelchairs. (See Figure 11A-11B.)

Clear floor or ground space for wheelchairs may be part of the knee space required under some objects.

One full unobstructed side of the clear floor or ground space for a wheelchair shall adjoin another wheelchair clear floor space. If a clear floor space is located in an alcove or otherwise confined on all or part of three sides, additional maneuvering clearances shall be provided. (See Section 1138A.1.4.)

The highest operable part of the telephone shall be within the reach ranges specified in Section 1138A.3 (See Figure 11A-11B.)

If telephone enclosures are provided, they shall comply with Sections 1140A.5.1 and 1140A.5.2. (See Figure 11A- 11B.)

1140A.5.1 Parallel approach. Where a parallel approach is provided, the distance from the edge of the telephone enclosure to the face of the telephone unit shall be 10 inches (254 mm) maximum.

1140A.5.2 Forward approach. Where a forward approach is provided, the counter may extend beyond the face of the telephone 20 inches (508 mm) maximum into the required clear floor or ground space and the enclosure may extend beyond the face of the tele- phone 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. If an additional 6 inches (152 mm) in width of clear floor space is provided, creating a clear floor space of 36 inches by 48 inches (914 mm by 1219 mm), the enclosure may extend more than 24 inches (610 mm) beyond the face of the telephone.

Telephones shall be equipped with a receiver that generates a magnetic field in the area of the receiver cap. A reasonable number of the public telephones provided, but always at least one on each floor or in each bank, whichever is more, in a building or facility, shall be equipped with a volume control. Such telephones shall be capable of providing a gain adjustable up to 20 dB minimum. For incremental volume control, at least one intermediate step of 12 dB of gain minimum shall be provided. An automatic reset shall also be provided. Public telephones with volume control shall be hearing aid compatible and shall be identified by a sign containing a depiction of a telephone handset with radiating sound waves. (See Figure 11A-11D.)

If a total of four or more public pay telephones are provided at the interior and exterior of a site, and if at least one of the total number provided is located in an interior location, at least one interior public text telephone shall be provided. TTYs provided at a public pay telephone shall be permanently affixed within, or adjacent to, the telephone enclosure. Where an acoustic coupler is used, the telephone cord shall be sufficiently long to allow connection of the TTY and the telephone receiver.

1140A.7.1 Signage. Text telephones shall be identified by the International TTY symbol (see Figure 11A-11C). If a facility has a public text telephone, directional signage indicating the location of the nearest such telephone shall be placed adjacent to all banks of tele- phones that do not contain a text telephone. Such directional signage shall include the International TTY symbol. If a facility has no banks of telephones, the directional signage shall be provided at the entrance or in a building directory.

1140A.7.2 Height. When in use, the touch surface of TTY keypads shall be 34 inches (864 mm) minimum above the finish floor.

Telephones shall have push-button controls where service for such equipment is available. Controls and operating mechanisms shall comply with Section 1138A.4.

The cord from the telephone to the handset shall be at least 29 inches (737 mm) long.

If telephone books are provided, they shall be located in a position that complies with the reach ranges in Section 1138A.3.

Public pay telephones required to accommodate a portable TTY shall be equipped with a shelf and an electrical outlet within or adjacent to the telephone enclosure. The telephone handset shall be capable of being placed flush on the surface of the shelf. The shelf shall be capable of accommodating a TTY and shall have 6 inches (152 mm) minimum vertical clearance above the area where the TTY is to be placed.