Constructed Features for Campgrounds (Continued)

Utilities

Electricity, drinking water, sewer, and other utilities that are provided in recreation sites must meet the requirements explained below.

Controls and operating mechanisms for utilities must comply with the provisions for reach ranges and operability specified in ABAAS sections 308 and 309 that are explained in Reach Ranges and Operability Requirements. Sewage hookups don't have to comply with the reach ranges of ABAAS section 308 or operation requirements of section 309, but the slope and surface requirements must still be met.

A clear floor or ground space of at least 30 by 48 inches (760 by 1,220 millimeters), oriented for front or side approach to all usable sides of utilities must be provided, except at water hydrants, which have their own requirements that are explained below. The clear floor or ground space around utilities may overlap adjacent clear spaces. Figures 68 and 69 illustrate this requirement.

Figure 68—The requirements for campground utilities
are illustrated by this electrical connection.

Figure 69—The clear space for utilities
can overlap at campsites.

The slope of the clear spaces required at utilities and water hydrants can't exceed 1:50 (2 percent) in any direction. The slope can be up to 1:33 (3 percent) maximum in any direction, if required for proper drainage. The surface of the clear space must be firm and stable and of a material that is appropriate to the level of development and setting.

Water Hydrants

Water hydrants are the outdoor devices from which people obtain drinking water, and include water faucets on posts and hand pumps. They must be located between 28 inches (710 millimeters) and 36 inches (915 millimeters) above the ground or floor surface on the edge of a clear space that is at least 60 by 60 inches (1,525 by 1,525 millimeters). This permits a forward or side approach to the hydrant and allows enough room for someone in a wheelchair to turn around and leave.

If the hydrant is an unusual design with the handle and spout on different sides of the post, be sure that people can access both sides. The required clear space must be adjacent to the ORAR, but it may not overlap the ORAR. In addition, if drainage grates are provided, the openings in the grate must comply with the ORAR provision for openings. Figure 70 illustrates these requirements.

Figure 70—The requirements for water hydrants.

While the controls for a hydrant must comply with the provisions for reach ranges and operability specified in ABAAS sections 308 and 309 and explained in the section on Reach Ranges and Operability Requirements, hand pumps are exempt from this requirement. Standard hand pumps require a force greater than 5 pounds (2.2 newtons) and a long reach to operate. Until hand pumps are available that can meet the accessibility standard for operating controls, while adequately accessing the water supply, hand pump operating controls are exempt from this requirement.

The Forest Service's Technology and Development program has produced an accessible hand pump that can be used where the well is 40 feet (12 meters) deep or less. This pump should be used for new or replacement shallow-well installations where the accessible pump meets the technical specifications for the water supply. Information about the commercially manufactured accessible hand pump (figure 71) is available on the Forest Service's internal computer network at http://fsweb.mtdc.wo.fs.fed.us/programs/eng/handpump.htm or on the World Wide Web at http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/eng/handpump.htm (Username t-d Password t-d).

Figure 71—This accessible handpump
is operated by a crank, making it
possible for almost everyone to
draw water independently.

The tech tip, New Accessible Handpump for Campgrounds, also has information about the commercially manufactured accessible handpump.