The ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act was established in 1990 as a measure to prohibit the discrimination of people with disabilities. As a result, many companies began to produce ADA-complaint appliances that are accessible to people in wheelchairs or suffer from other limitations. An ADA ice maker is designed so people with disabilities can gain access to ice without assistance.
Letās discuss what makes an ice maker ADA compliant and the types of ADA ice machines that are right for your business.
What are the Criteria of an ADA Ice Maker?
According to Title III of the American Disabilities Act, public accommodations must be accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs. Countertops must not exceed 32.5 inches tall. As a result, ADA ice makers must either measure 32ā high or have their ice bin opening at that height.
Most undercounter machines (though not all) are ADA compliant in their design. The same goes for hotel and motel ice dispensers, which donāt fit underneath a countertop. These models have their ice dispensing zone and activation lever below 32ā.
Tired of dealing with ice machine issues on your own?
Find out how Easy Ice makes them disappear.
Types of ADA Ice Makers
Many ADA ice makers fit specific business needs. Here are a few:
- Under counter Ice Makers: Since the ADA requires countertops to be below 32.5ā tall, these ice makers meet the height regulations designated by the government. Models like the Hoshizaki IM-200BAB ice machine meet these requirements.
- Hotel Ice Dispensers: Itās important that hotel ice dispensers be ADA compliant since they need to be accessible to guests. Hotel dispensers like the Hoshizaki DB-130 hotel ice dispenser and Hoshizaki 200H hotel ice dispenser are designed for this very reason.
- Cabinet Style Ice Makers: These types of ice makers are great for office use. They open like a refrigerator or cabinet, where employees can scoop ice for drinks. ADA ice makers measure below 32ā³ and are designed to fit underneath counters and blend into walls and other fixtures.
Itās important to note that an ADA ice machine may not be enough for businesses with large ice needs. If you run a business that needs over 1000 lbs of ice a day, your best bet is to purchase a large modular ice machine with a bin or multiple ADA ice makers.
ADA Ice Makers Make a Great Addition to Businesses
If you run a business where your ice machine is open to public use, an ADA ice maker helps make ice accessible to everyone. They are often small, and out of the way, so they wonāt take up a ton of space. If youāre looking for an ADA ice machine, contact us today! We include maintenance, cleaning, and repairs to make sure your ice maker is always performing at 100% efficiency!