36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines - Preamble (Discussion of Comments and Changes)

Water closets are to be located so that the centerline is 16 to 18 inches from the side wall compartment partition (604.2). Water closets can be located so that this dimension is met on either the left side or the right side of the fixture. The Board has added clarification in the final rule that water closets shall be arranged for a left-hand or a right-hand approach. The proposed rule specified that water closets in ambulatory accessible stalls (which are required to be 36 inches wide) be "centered." In the final rule, the Board has revised this provision to recognize a range (17 to 19 inches) for the centered location that is consistent in scope (2 inches) with the specification for water closets in wheelchair accessible compartments. A corresponding change has been made to the provisions for water closets designed for children’s use (604.9.1).