Code Application Notice (CAN) 2-11B, 09-09-2014

INTERPRETATION

Required to provide mobility features means those patient bedrooms intended to meet the requirements of Section 11B-223.2 or 11B-223.3. Accessible patient amenities such as the turning radius, door maneuvering areas, their toilet/bathing room and their wardrobe are dependent upon whether it is an "accessible room" required to provide mobility features, or not. The 18 inch strike-side clearance and 5 feet deep maneuvering clearance are not required at the patient room door in a "non-accessible room," as one not required to provide mobility features. Handwashing fixtures located in non-accessible rooms must still comply with Section 11B-805.6. These are primarily for staff use. Staff access to both sides of the patient is a functional requirement of Section 1224.14.1.2, and not dependent upon Section 11B-805.4.1.

Patient toilet and bathing rooms that are accessed from patient bedrooms that are not required to provide mobility features are not subject to the accessibility requirements of Section 11B-805.2.4 or Section 11B-603. Although these rooms are not required to comply with Section 11B-603, CBC Section 1224.4.18 requires that "each toilet, bathtub and shower serving patients shall have conveniently placed grab bars." These non-accessible grab bars are only required to be compliant with Section 11B-609. Also note that patient toilet rooms that are part of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) rooms are not required to comply with Section 11B-603. Section 11B-223.1, Exception states: "Toilet rooms that are part of critical or intensive care patient sleeping rooms shall not be required to comply with Section 11B-603."

Modular (cabinet) toilets allowed under CBC Section 1224.29.1.4 for ICUs are not required to have grab bars. These units are not intended as normal patient toileting facilities but as equipment in support of patient care assessment within an ICU setting.

All doors to patient toilet rooms "shall be equipped with hardware which will permit the door to swing outward or in a manner to negate the need to push against a patient who may have collapsed within the toilet room" per CBC Section 1224.4.8.1. The operable parts requirements in Section 11B-309 and the maneuvering clearances and clear space requirements in Section 11B-404.2.4 apply only to the normal use of doors required to be accessible and not to the emergency breakaway function.