2012 Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction Pocket Guide
604.8.1 Wheelchair Accessible Compartments. Wheelchair accessible compartments shall comply with 604.8.1.
604.8.1.1 Size. Wheelchair accessible compartments shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 56 inches (1420 mm) deep minimum for wall hung water closets and 59 inches (1500 mm) deep minimum for floor mounted water closets measured perpendicular to the rear wall. Wheelchair accessible compartments for children’s use shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 59 inches (1500 mm) deep minimum for wall hung and floor mounted water closets measured perpendicular to the rear wall.
Advisory 604.8.1.1 Size. The minimum space required in toilet compartments is provided so that a person using a wheelchair can maneuver into position at the water closet. This space cannot be obstructed by baby changing tables or other fixtures or conveniences, except as specified at 604.3.2 (Overlap). If toilet compartments are to be used to house fixtures other than those associated with the water closet, they must be designed to exceed the minimum space requirements. Convenience fixtures such as baby changing tables must also be accessible to people with disabilities as well as to other users. Toilet compartments that are designed to meet, and not exceed, the minimum space requirements may not provide adequate space for maneuvering into position at a baby changing table.
Figure 604.8.1.1 Size of Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartment
604.8.1.2 Doors. Toilet compartment doors, including door hardware, shall comply with 404 except that if the approach is to the latch side of the compartment door, clearance between the door side of the compartment and any obstruction shall be 42 inches (1065 mm) minimum. Doors shall be located in the front partition or in the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the front partition, the door opening shall be 4 inches (100 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the side wall or partition, the door opening shall be 4 inches (100 mm) maximum from the front partition. The door shall be self-closing. A door pull complying with 404.2.7 shall be placed on both sides of the door near the latch. Toilet compartment doors shall not swing into the minimum required compartment area.
Figure 604.8.1.2 Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartment Doors
604.8.1.3 Approach. Compartments shall be arranged for left-hand or right-hand approach to the water closet.
604.8.1.4 Toe Clearance. The front partition and at least one side partition shall provide a toe clearance of 9 inches (230 mm) minimum above the finish floor and 6 inches (150 mm) deep minimum beyond the compartment-side face of the partition, exclusive of partition support members. Compartments for children’s use shall provide a toe clearance of 12 inches (305 mm) minimum above the finish floor.
EXCEPTION: Toe clearance at the front partition is not required in a compartment greater than 62 inches (1575 mm) deep with a wall-hung water closet or 65 inches (1650 mm) deep with a floor-mounted water closet. Toe clearance at the side partition is not required in a compartment greater than 66 inches (1675 mm) wide. Toe clearance at the front partition is not required in a compartment for children’s use that is greater than 65 inches (1650 mm) deep.
Figure 604.8.1.4 Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartment Toe Clearance
604.8.1.5 Grab Bars. Grab bars shall comply with 609. A side-wall grab bar complying with 604.5.1 shall be provided and shall be located on the wall closest to the water closet. In addition, a rear-wall grab bar complying with 604.5.2 shall be provided.
604.8.1.6 Lavatory. In new construction, the wheelchair accessible toilet compartment shall contain an accessible lavatory within it, which must be at least 19 inches wide by 17 inches deep, nominal size, and wall-mounted. The lavatory shall be mounted so as not to overlap the clear floor space areas required by section 604 for the wheelchair accessible toilet compartment and shall comply with section 606. Such lavatories shall be counted as part of the required fixture count for the building. See also section 213.3.4.
604.8.1.7 Water closet. In new construction, the accessible water closet within the wheelchair accessible compartment shall be located in the corner, diagonal to the door.
Advisory 604.8.1.6 Lavatory and 604.8.1.7 Water Closet. Florida law, section 553.504(5), F.S., stipulates that “…required bathing rooms and toilet rooms in new construction shall be designed and constructed…” with an accessible lavatory in the wheelchair accessible compartment and the water closet located in a corner diagonal to the door. The ADA Standards for Accessible Design and therefore this code require wheelchair accessible compartments in new construction and in alterations of existing buildings to have self closing doors. While the Florida lavatory requirement and water closet placement apply only to new construction they are desirable for all wheelchair accessible compartments and should be considered where feasible.
Figure 604.8.1.6 Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartment in New Construction
Note: The drawings are not the complete code requirements do not depict all possible options and the code text must be reviewed for additional requirements.
User Comments/Questions
Add Comment/Question