The ADA Numbers Are Tested Regularly on the ARE - Know Them Cold
The ADA Standards for Accessible Design is one of the most heavily tested references across the ARE, appearing in the PA, PPD, and PDD content areas. Accessibility requirements appear in building layout questions, site plan questions, restroom detail questions, and construction document coordination questions. The specific dimensional requirements - door widths, turning radii, ramp slopes, reach ranges, counter heights - are the kind of factual content that exams can test directly in scenario questions where a described dimension either does or does not meet the ADA requirement. Knowing these numbers cold, without having to look them up, allows candidates to answer these questions quickly and confidently, saving time for more analytical questions that require deeper reasoning. The following are the key ADA dimensions most likely to appear on the ARE.
Circulation and Reach
- Accessible route clear width: 44 inches minimum (36 inches acceptable in limited circumstances for one-way paths with passing spaces).
- Wheelchair turning radius (180-degree turn): 60-inch diameter clear circle, OR T-shaped space (60 x 60 inches with 12-inch deep alcove in each direction of the T).
- Forward reach range: 15 inches minimum to 48 inches maximum above floor.
- Side reach range: 15 inches minimum to 48 inches maximum (can extend to 54 inches max with 10-inch max obstruction depth).
- Operable parts (controls, outlets, switches): Must be within reach ranges; usable with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching, or wrist twisting.
Doors
- Clear width at accessible doors: 32 inches minimum (measured from face of door to opposite stop when door is open 90 degrees).
- Maneuvering clearance: Pull side: 18 inches min alongside latch side; 60 inches min perpendicular to door. Push side: 0-12 inches min alongside latch side (depending on presence of closer); 48 inches min perpendicular.
- Door hardware: Lever hardware; no round knobs requiring tight gripping.
- Threshold: 1/2 inch maximum height; beveled if between 1/4 and 1/2 inch.
Ramps
- Maximum running slope: 1:12 (8.33%)
- Maximum cross slope: 1:48 (2.08%)
- Minimum clear width: 36 inches between handrails
- Handrails required on both sides when rise exceeds 6 inches
- Landings: Required at top, bottom, and at every change of direction; minimum 60 x 60 inches.
Accessible Parking
- Van-accessible space width: 132 inches total (96-inch stall + 60-inch access aisle, or 132-inch stall + 60-inch aisle)
- Standard accessible space width: 96-inch stall + 60-inch access aisle = 156 inches total
- Required quantity: Varies by total lot size; 1 van-accessible space per every 6 accessible spaces.
- Vertical clearance: 98 inches minimum at van-accessible spaces and along the accessible route from parking to building.
Restrooms
- Water closet centerline: 16-18 inches from side wall
- Side grab bar: 42 inches minimum length; 33-36 inches above floor
- Rear grab bar: 36 inches minimum length; 33-36 inches above floor
- Lavatory clear floor space: 30 x 48 inches minimum; knee clearance 27 inches high x 30 inches wide x 19 inches deep
AREprep's accessibility content covers all ADA Standards dimensional requirements with visual reference tables, detailed restroom and parking layouts, and practice questions that test these dimensions in the context of ARE-style building plan scenarios - giving ARE candidates an efficient way to learn and retain the ADA numbers that appear consistently across PA, PPD, and PDD exam content.
Study PDD on AREprep
AREprep's PDD flashcards and practice exams are built around the actual NCARB exam guide - so every study session targets what the exam tests.