ADA-compliant Ice Makers
Whether it's a continental breakfast station or university cafeteria, operators should ensure their commercial ice machines meet the requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The ADA implements legislation for foodservice operations to ensure establishments follow ADA guidelines, including restaurant equipment such as ice makers and combination units with water dispensers.1 Below, we'll cover the difference between ADA-certified and ADA-compliant ice makers as well as the importance of this distinction.
What is ADA Certification?
ADA certifications are achieved when an expert is hired to inspect an establishment to confirm up-to-date ADA requirements with the property itself.2 Obtaining an ADA certificate for your business does not mean your equipment is meeting ADA standards. In short, all an ADA certificate means is your property has been looked at by a professional and meets ADA compliance standards.
When companies making ice makers label units as ADA certified, the units may not actually be compliant with ADA requirements. Business owners trying to purchase an ADA-compliant ice maker should avoid ADA-certified labeling, as it may result in buying equipment that doesn't meet operational requirements.
ADA Compliant
For food and beverage equipment to be considered ADA compliant, business owners must ensure their equipment meets the operational requirements implemented by the ADA.
ADA Certified
Operators can obtain an ADA certification if their establishment complies with the disability act standards. Foodservice equipment can't receive an ADA certification.
What Makes an Ice Maker ADA Compliant?
For an undercounter commercial ice maker to be classified as ADA compliant, it must be less than 32 inches tall and fit underneath a 34-inch ADA-regulated countertop to meet reach range requirements. Ice makers also need to be sealed to the floor with a floor-mount kit or put on casters for cleaning purposes. These commercial ice machines usually require a 2-inch clearance between the top of the machine and the countertop to account for various countertop thicknesses.
- Max countertop height: 34 inches
- Max undercounter ice machine height: 32 inches
- Top Clearance: 2 inches
- Max height above the counter: 14 inches
- Max distance from countertop edge: 10 inches
Ice machines not rated for undercounter use should not have operable parts more than 14 inches over the countertop height and should be placed within 10 inches of the countertop's edge in order to be ADA compliant.
References
- Americans with Disabilities Act Title III Regulations. ADA.gov. Accessed January 2023.
- What's the Difference Between ADA Compliant and ADA Certified?. ADACP. Accessed January 2023.
