ADAAG Manual

Toilet Rooms, Bathrooms, Bathing Facilities, and Shower Rooms [4.22 & 4.23]

Scoping [4.1.2(6), 4.1.3(11)]

Building codes, plumbing codes, or health regulations in force locally define the number and type of toilet/bathing facilities (and fixtures) required in a building or facility. ADAAG requires access to toilet/bathing facilities (and fixtures) where they are provided. (In multi-story buildings exempt from the elevator requirement, toilet/ bathing facilities are required on the accessible ground floor if provided on other floors.) Access is required to all toilet rooms and bathrooms provided for public or common use. "Common use" includes those serving a defined or restricted group of occupants (e.g., employees, students). Where toilet or bathrooms individually serve multiple public or common use spaces of the same type required to be accessible (e.g., patient exam rooms), then access is required to each toilet or bathroom.

Portable Units [4.1.2(6)]

Where portable single-user toilet or bathing units are provided at exterior sites, at least 5%, but no less than one, must be accessible at each location. (This does not apply to units used only by construction personnel at construction sites). Portable units are subject to the same technical criteria applicable to permanent facilities. Where ramps are provided, it is important that required door clearances are available at the required level landing.

Adaptability

Toilet rooms designed for use by a single occupant of a specific space, can be designed to be "adaptable" so that accessible elements can be installed when needed after construction. ("Adaptability" is defined in ADAAG 3.5). This allows structural reinforcement or blocking for later installation of grab bars and removable base cabinetry below lavatories. It is not intended to include moving walls, relocating plumbing, replacing fixtures, widening door frames, or other work more appropriately addressed in design and construction. Rooms need to be designed to provide required clear floor space at fixtures, turning space, and door clearance.

Unisex Restrooms

Single-user toilet rooms offer benefits to people who use attendants and are a good consideration in occupancies with high traffic, such as shopping centers and airport terminals. In certain occupancies, model codes actually require unisex toilet rooms. Accessible unisex restrooms cannot be used as a substitute for accessible multi-user restrooms (except in alterations where making existing restrooms fully accessible is not technically feasible).

Alterations [4.1.6(1), (2)]

In alterations, access is required where toilet or bathing facilities are altered. Compliance is governed by the scope of work and can be followed on an element-by-element basis unless the work, when taken together, amounts to a full alteration of the space. For example, if the work is limited to specific elements, such as replacement of a lavatory and floor coverings, then at a minimum each altered element must comply with ADAAG. Work broader in scope that may include such things as reconfiguration of walls and plumbed fixtures, generally requires full room access. Restroom accessibility is also required as part of a "path of travel" to altered primary function areas to the extent it is not disproportionate to the overall cost.

Room Dimensions

ADAAG does not specify room dimensions; these vary according to the number and configuration of fixtures, room layout, and the way various spatial requirements are met. For single-user toilet rooms, key considerations include the configuration of water closets and lavatories, clear floor spaces required at fixtures, turning space, the location and swing of doors, and maneuvering space at doors. An important consideration is whether or not space for side transfers is provided.

The following illustrations provide several examples of complying accessible single-user toilet rooms. Note, however, that the ADAAG requirements apply to multi-user toilet rooms and bathing facilities as well.

Single-User Toilet Rooms: Side Transfer Space

These drawings illustrate the space requirements for a single-user toilet room with a single plumbing wall. Clear floor space at water closets at least 60 inches wide allows room for side transfers. Lavatories can abut this space (or overlap it as shown on page 89).

Clear floor space should be centered at lavatories. This clear floor space, which can overlap space required at water closets, must extend 17 to 19 inches below the lavatory. Where provided, towel dispensers within reach from the lavatory will allow people to dry their hands before maneuvering from the fixture (see page 76). Knee and toe clearances below fixtures can overlap turning space, although this should be limited where the space is confined to the minimum (see page 15). Turning space can be provided in the form of a 60 inch diameter circle (as shown) or T-shaped space.

Doors must comply with 4.13, which specifies maneuvering clearances. The location of doors is based on their size and sweep. Doors can swing into the turning space but not the clear floor space required at fixtures. In-swinging doors clearing fixture clearances usually determine the minimum room depth.

Where doors can swing out, the minimum room depth is typically determined by the lavatory depth and door clearances for forward approaches; (turning space is usually available within these dimensions). For side approaches, it is often determined by the turning space and the degree of fixture overlap. Latch-side clearance 12 inches minimum is required on the push-side of doors equipped with both a closer and latch; otherwise, clearance beyond the stop is not required.

Recessed Lavatories

Recessing lavatories can provide space for side transfers while allowing a narrower room width. The rear grab bar determines the minimum distance of the lavatory from the water closet. (If the clear floor space at the lavatory is obstructed on both sides more than 2 feet then it must be at least 36 inches wide instead of 30 inches.)

In-swinging doors must clear fixture clearances and door clearances must clear the water closet fixture (verify toilet length).

Where doors swing out, the turning space typically determines the minimum room depth.

Lavatories can also be recessed on a side wall. Where plumbing is split, clear floor space at the water closet must allow side transfer (i.e., be at least 60 inches wide). As with the previous layouts, in-swinging doors clearing fixture clearances usually determine the minimum room depth. (Doors can also be located on the wall opposite the water closet). Door clearances and turning space usually determine the minimum room depth where doors swing out (not shown).

Single-User Toilet Rooms: Split Plumbing

Water closets and lavatories can be located on opposing walls. Note that lavatories (and other fixtures) cannot overlap door maneuvering clearances, including latch-side clearances. While the knee and toe clearance required at lavatories may allow a forward approach to door hardware, if placed in the maneuvering space, lavatories interfere with wheelchair maneuvering through doors.

If T-shaped turning space is provided, it should be located to provide an easy approach (i.e., one of the segments aligned with the route into the room). Fixtures with knee or toe clearance can overlap turning space, but fixture overlap should be limited to one segment of the T (see page 15).

Single-User Toilet Rooms: No Side Transfer Space

On single plumbing walls, lavatories can overlap water closet clear floor space although this precludes side transfers. Lavatory placement is limited by the rear gab bar, which should not overlap counter surfaces.

Where side transfer space is not provided, clear floor space for water closets is dimensioned for diagonal or perpendicular transfers based on the approach. Door clearances and turning space, as shown in the preceding examples, further determine minimum room dimensions.

Bathrooms

An accessible bathroom can be equipped with either a tub or shower (transfer or roll-in).

Example of a Single-User Bathroom (with Roll-in Shower)

Clear space required at any fixture can overlap required clear floor spaces, turning space, and door maneuvering space. Since wheelchair access precludes curbs at roll-in showers, the shower area and clear floor space can be used for turning. Recommendation: Consider providing turning space outside the shower so that people using wheelchairs do not have to travel on wet surfaces every time they use the room.

Where clear floor space at a lavatory is obstructed on both sides more than 2 feet, a clearance at least 36 inches wide is required.

The designs below facilitate access by providing turning space as well as side transfer space at the shower seat and the toilet. The door cannot swing into the clear floor space required at accessible fixtures.