Table 6.2.1 – Common Use Circulation Paths in Employee Work Areas

Current Guidelines:  
4.1.1  Application. . .  .

(3) Areas Used Only by Employees as Work Areas.  Areas that are used only as work areas shall be designed and constructed so that individuals with disabilities can approach, enter, and exit the areas.  These guidelines do not require that any areas used only as work areas be constructed to permit maneuvering within the work area or be constructed or equipped (i.e., with racks or shelves) to be accessible.

Final Revised Guidelines:  
203.9 Employee Work Areas.  Spaces and elements within employee work areas shall only be required to comply with 206.2.8, 207.1, and 215.3 and shall be designed and constructed so that individuals with disabilities can approach, enter, and exit the employee work area.  Employee work areas, or portions of employee work areas, that are less than 300 square feet (28 m²) in area and elevated 7 inches (178 mm) or more above the finish floor or ground where the elevation is essential to the function of the space shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route.

206.2.8 Employee Work Areas.  Common use circulation paths within employee work areas shall comply with 402.
Exceptions:  1.  Common use circulation paths located within employee work areas that are less than 1000 square feet (93 m²) and defined by permanently installed partitions, counters, casework, or furnishings shall not be required to comply with 402.
2.  Common use circulation paths located within employee work areas that are an integral component of work area equipment shall not be required to comply with 402.
3.  Common use circulation paths located within exterior employee work areas that are fully exposed to the weather shall not be required to comply with 402.

402.1 General.  Accessible routes shall comply with 402.

402.2  Components.  Accessible routes shall consist of one or more of the following components: walking surfaces with a running slope not steeper than 1:20, doorways, ramps, curb ramps excluding the flared sides, elevators, and platform lifts.  All components of accessible routes shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 4.

403.5 Clearances.  Walking surfaces shall provide clearances complying with 403.5.
Exception:  Within employee work areas, clearances on common use circulation paths shall be permitted to be decreased by work area equipment provided that the decrease is essential to the function of the work being performed.

405.5 Clear Width.  The clear width of a ramp run and, where handrails are provided, the clear width between handrails shall be 36 inches (915 mm) minimum.  
Exception:  Within employee work areas, the required clear width of ramps that are a part of common use circulation paths shall be permitted to be decreased by work area equipment provided that the decrease is essential to the function of the work being performed.

405.8 Handrails.  Ramp runs with a rise greater than 6 inches (150 mm) shall have handrails complying with 505.
Exception:  Within employee work areas, handrails shall not be required where ramps that are part of common use circulation paths are designed to permit the installation of handrails complying with 505.  Ramps not subject to the exception to 405.5 shall be designed to maintain a 36 inch (915 mm) clear width when handrails are installed.

Model Codes & Standards
IBC 2000:  Section 1103.2.3 has similar requirements and exceptions for employee work areas.  

IBC 2003:  Section 1104.3.1 has equivalent requirements and similar exceptions for employee work areas.