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You don't really have to be ADA Compliant in your own home but looking over ADA Compliance is a good way to be sure that your loved ones and family are safe in your bathroom.
You don't really have to be ADA Compliant in your own home but looking over ADA Compliance is a good way to be sure that your loved ones and family are safe in your bathroom. Let us transform your bathroom into a space that is both functional and safe. Well over 200,000 individuals take a fall in their home's bathrooms with around 15% of those bathroom falls result in a ride to the hospital.
For business, this is the law. The standards that apply depend on the bathrooms intended purpose and construction or remodel date.
ADA bathroom standards do not specify and EXACT room space but they do require enough turning and clearance space. The minimum bathroom size is 60 inches wide by 56 inches deep plus additional clearance for fixtures. In larger bathrooms, adding additional fixtures or doors will take up additional space.
Turning Space
The turning space in an ADA compliant business bathroom is 60 inches circular diameter. This may be different for a T shaped or odd shaped areas. It is best to locate fixtures outside of the turning spaces.
ADA compliant bathroom fixtures have specific written requirements.
There are exceptions for residential bathrooms.
Horizontal grab bars must be mounted beside and behind toilets. They can be segmented if needed, as long as they are securely mounted and meet specifications. Rear grab bars must be 36 inches long minimum. Side grab bars must be 42 inches long minimum. All grab bars must:
Folding or swinging grab bars are not required by ADA standards, but they are allowed. If provided, these types of grab bars must not restrict the use of required grab bars.
Vertical grab bars are also not required by ADA standards. They are, however, required by the International Building Code. If used, these must be at least 18 inches tall and can overlap the ADA’s 12 inches horizontal grab bar clearance requirement.
Toilet paper dispensers need to be next to the toilet and easily reached, between 15 inches minimum and 48 inches maximum from the floor. They can be installed next to, above or below but cannot be behind grab bars. An additional 12 inches is required if the dispenser is installed above the grab bar.
ADA standards also require toilet paper dispensers to provide continual operation and flow of toilet tissue. Models that restrict or control toilet tissue dispensing are not permitted.
Turning and wheelchair space is necessary and should be as close to the entryway as possible. Bathroom doors can open into or out of the room as long as minimum maneuvering clearance is available. Door swings can overlap fixture clearances as long as wheelchair space remains, but fixtures cannot overlap door clearances. Because of this, bathrooms with doors that open inwards will be larger than rooms with doors that open outwards.
The ADA height requirement for sinks is no more than 34 inches from the floor with 27 inches for knee clearance. Sinks, or lavatories, also require minimum clearance area of 30 inches wide by 48 inches deep. This rectangular space reserves adequate room for wheelchair approach and maneuverability. As with all fixtures, sinks cannot overlap toilet clearance areas, but their clearance areas can overlap. Centering sinks above clear floor space is recommended. In addition to clearances, exposed pipes under compliant sinks should be well insulated to protect against scalding.
Compliant urinals can be either wall hung or stall type. Wall-hung urinals must be at least 13 1/2 inches deep with a rim height of 17 inches, maximum. For both urinal types, clear floor space 30 inches wide and 48 inches deep is required. Stall partitions cannot interfere with this space. If they do, additional floor space width of 36 inches is required.
Compliant toilets must be positioned 16 inches to 18 inches from their side walls or partitions and 17 inches to 19 inches from the floor. These measurements are from the toilet center line and seat height respectively. Flush controls must be on the open sides and comply with operational accessibility standards, being operable with one hand by applying no more than 5 pounds of force.
There are exceptions for residential bathrooms.
Trash receptacles, shelves and other dispensers in ADA-compliant bathrooms must meet accessibility standards. In general, this means at least one fixture (like coat hooks and shelves) must be accessible when offered. Accessible range is generally 40 – 48 inches from the floor.
