Accessible Plumbing Standards for Toilet Rooms

The U.S. Access Board's "Toilet Rooms" guide outlines the requirements set forth in the ADA Standards for accessible toilet rooms. The guide focuses on ensuring compliance with plumbing and building codes regarding the number and type of toilet fixtures required for facilities. It specifies which fixtures must be accessible, addressing both new constructions and alterations, and emphasizes the need for accessible toilet rooms, including those for employees, in all new constructions.

The guide discusses the provision of unisex (single-use or family) toilet rooms, particularly in alterations where making multi-user rooms comply is not technically feasible, and in medical care and long-term care facilities as part of accessible patient or resident sleeping rooms. Key points include the location of toilet rooms in multi-story facilities and during alterations, compliance requirements for additions and alterations, technical infeasibility considerations, and the requirement for an accessible path of travel in alterations to areas containing a primary function.

Furthermore, the guide touches on exceptions for qualified historic facilities, components of accessible single-user toilet rooms, criteria for water closets including location, clearance, seats, grab bars, flush controls, and dispensers, and the provision of grab bars to aid transfers to water closets. The document also provides detailed specifications for recessed and non-recessed dispenser locations, examples of single-user toilet room layouts, door maneuvering clearances, turning space requirements, approximate room dimensions for toilet rooms, and guidelines for dispensers, receptacles, coat hooks, shelves, and baby changing tables.

Additionally, the guide covers exceptions for private toilet rooms accessed through a private office, water closets in residential dwelling units, and specifications for water closets and toilet compartments designed for children's use.

This summary encompasses the first 38 pages of the 40-page document, providing a comprehensive overview of the ADA Standards' requirements for toilet rooms to ensure accessibility and usability for individuals with disabilities.

product information: