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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and ensures equal access to goods and services. This is why ensuring that your restroom is ADA-compliant is vital. We used the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design ,ICC A117.1 -2017 and Bobrick Planning Guider For Accessible Restrooms [GT1] to explain and illustrate the requirements for ADA reach ranges, mounting heights, accessible toilet compartments, grab bars, and bathroom accessories. Follow this guide to ensure your restrooms meet code requirements and are welcoming and accessible for everyone.
Reach Ranges and Mounting Heights
It is vital that there is accessibility provided with restroom accessories that meet ADA standards. Reach ranges and mounting heights may differ among different facilities, depending on the location of bathroom accessories. It is required that restroom accessories include all operable parts, such as: dispensing mechanisms, start buttons, coin slots, outlets, or dispenser openings. Accessories must be located no more than 48 inches (1220mm) above the finish floor unless the accessories are mounted on an object, such as countertops. If this is the case, then it is required that they be located between 44 inches and 48 inches (1120 and 1220mm) maximum above the finish floor.
This applies to making sure there is an obtainable reach to these bathroom accessories. If accessories are mounted behind, above, or onto the standard counters, then they must be between 20 to 25 inches (510-635mm) and limited to a maximum mounting height of 44 inches (1120mm) above the floor to the operable portion for a forward approach. The 2017 ICC Standards limit the operable portions of dispensers in toilet compartments to no lower than 18 inches.
Accessible Toilet Compartments Are Required in All Public Restrooms
All public restrooms must include at least one stall that accommodates individuals who use wheelchairs. This means that there must be a designated stall in these bathrooms to meet compliance standards. ADA states, where wall space does not permit a grab bar 36 inches (915mm) minimum in length, a rear grab bar shall be permitted to be 24 inches (610mm) minimum in length, centered on the water closet.
The design outlined below is the requirement for a wheelchair-accessible toilet compartment:
Grab Bars Are Required in All Accessible Toilet Compartments
A lower grab bar is easier to reach and grip, which is why there’s a required height to ensure grab bars are both accessible and safe to use. ADA guidelines state: Grab Bars with circular cross-sections must have an outside diameter of 1-1⁄4 inches (32mm) minimum and 2 inches (51mm) maximum. Non-circular profiles such as ovals and rounded rectangles are allowed.
The sidewall grab bar next to an accessible toilet in a compartment must be 42 inches (1065mm) long minimum. A 48 inch (1220mm) recommended grab bar length eliminates many installation compliance problems. The grab bar must be located 12 inches (305mm) maximum from the rear wall and extending 54 inches (1370mm) minimum from the rear wall.
The 2017 ICC Standard changed how to determine the location of the 36 inch (915mm) rear wall grab bar required to be mounted on the wall behind an accessible toilet. A grab bar length of 42 inches (1065mm) is recommended to avoid any installation compliance problems. The grab bar must be mounted a maximum of 6 inches (150mm) off the side wall, extending a minimum of 42 inches (1065mm).
- The 2017 ICC Standard changed how to determine the location of the 36 inch (915mm) rear wall grab bar required to be mounted on the wall behind an accessible toilet. A grab bar length of 42 inches (1065mm) is recommended to avoid any installation compliance problems. The grab bar must be mounted a maximum of 6 inches (150mm) off the side wall, extending a minimum of 42 inches (1065mm).
- The 2010 ADA Standard locates the 36 inch (915mm) rear wall grab bar relative to the centerline of the toilet, requiring the grab bar to be mounted with 12 inches (305mm) on one side of the toilet center line and 24 inches (610mm) on the other side.
Both the 2010 ADA and the 2017 ICC Standards allow the use of a 24 inch (610mm) minimum rear wall grab bar if fixture location and available space prevents the use of a 36 inch (915mm) grab bar.
Accessories Complete the Specification of Toilet Compartment Installation
Toilet tissue dispensers, napkin disposals, toilet seat cover dispensers, combination usage and signage all must be positioned and designed to meet ADA requirements. In every toilet compartment there should be serval different accessories for proper hygiene and comfort. All accessories must be located on the side wall or partition nearest the toilet and just in front of the leading edge of the toilet seat to ensure accessible reach.
Roll Toilet Tissue Dispensers
The 2010 ADA Standards require that roll toilet tissue dispensers must be installed with the dispenser centerline 7 inches (180mm) minimum and 9 inches (230mm) maximum in front of the leading edge of the toilet.
Sanitary Napkin Disposals
Sanitary napkin disposals are not required but are recommended in all women’s toilet compartments. If you are to install sanitary napkin disposals it is recommended that they are mounted below the grab bars and within reaching distance when in a sitting position.
Toilet seat cover dispensers are also not required but recommended. This amenity can minimize the likelihood of germs spreading from one person to another, by creating a barrier between users and contamination. The opening for toilet seat covers needs to be mounted between 15 inches and 48 inches (380 and 1220mm) above the floor, in an accessible location.
Combination Units
Installations can be organized and unified by combining various accessories, such as toilet tissue dispensers, toilet seat cover dispensers, and sanitary napkin disposals. This creates one convenient location for several accessories.
The 2017 ICC Standards provide an exception that allows recessed units to be installed behind grab bars with grab bar wall clearance spacing less than 1-1/2 inches (38mm), within 1-1/2 inches (38mm) below, or 12 inches (305mm) above the grab bar. A projection of as much as 1/4 inch (6.4mm) is allowed.
Signage
Clear and informative signage is essential to guide individuals to accessible restrooms and bathing facilities, where not all facilities are accessible. For example:
- International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) must be used to identify the accessible single user restroom(s) in a cluster of single user restrooms, where not all of restrooms are accessible.
- In certain renovated buildings, the ISA needs to direct users to, and identify, accessible restrooms or bathing rooms where not all are accessible.
- Neither accessible toilet compartments within restrooms nor accessible showers or tubs within bathing rooms need ISA or other signage specially identifying them.
ADA guidelines are a great starting point for making your commercial facility bathrooms accessible. It is important to ensure accommodation for all individuals. For additional information about ADA restroom requirements, please check out our blogs ADA Bathroom Requirements: Toilet Height , ADA Compliant Bathroom and ADA Bathroom Requirements: Restroom Space .
Need help making sure your project is up to code? Check out our Architectural Services page and learn how our experts can help you with specification writing and consultation services for Division 8 (Openings), Division 10 (Building Specialties), and Division 28 (Electronic Safety and Security).
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