Toilets and bathrooms should be accessible to all inclusive of disabled and handicapped people. ADA regulations are designed around the needs of people with disabilities. These guidelines can be used as a reference for the design of a bathroom toilet. There must be enough space in the bathroom so where people with disabilities are in a position to use bathrooms. Even in bathrooms, the hardware and doors must meet ADA requirements for door openings.
Space Requirements
To give disabled persons easy entry point, bathroom corridors as well as aisles and other paths should have a width of between the 41-48 inches wide and have a height of 80 inches. Each bathroom accessory must be located in the space that is 30 inches by 48 inches. This allows access from the forward part. The floor space that is free can be found underneath the fixtures or accessories in the bathroom, provided that it doesn’t affect the clearance of the knee or the toe.
Turning Spaces
Bathrooms that is ADA-compliant should have enough space to allow wheelchair users to be in a position to easily turn. The space to be used to turn can be designed as circles (with 60-inch diameter) or an X-shaped( that is not greater than a 60-inch square. 60-inch sq). A portion of the turning space may be placed beneath fixtures or other items in the event that it does not affect toe or knee space.
Toilet Compartments/Stalls
Toilet stalls are available in two main styles that permit people with disabilities to access these. They are accessible toilets for wheelchair users along with Ambulatory toilet compartments. The designs have to be in line with ADA requirements for clearance of the toe and doorways to compartments.
Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartments
A wheelchair-accessible toilet compartment is a stall with enough space that accommodates people using wheelchairs. Each public restroom must have a minimum of one wheelchair-accessible stall. In accordance with ADA bathroom regulations this bathroom must be 59 inches in depth for toilets that are mounted on the floor or 56 inches in depth for toilets that are mounted on walls. It should have a width of 60 inches, measured at the right angles of the wall. A toilet that is in compliance with the ADA standard makes it possible for people who is in a wheelchair comfortably and in a safe manner through the stall.
Ambulatory Accessible Toilet Compartments
An Ambulatory accessible Toilet Compartment is a smaller toilet designed to assist people who require assistance either side of the bathroom (i.e people using crutches). A Ambulatory Toilet Compartment is required to be placed in bathrooms that have greater than 6 toilets.
These stalls must have a depth of 60 inches and 35 to 37 inches wide. Toilets should be in the rear of the stall. Also, the doors should be designed so that it doesn’t swing into the minimum clearance area just like the wheelchair-accessible stall.
Toe Clearance
Minimum height required for accessible toilets, as defined by ADA rules for bathrooms is nine inches above the finished floor. This means that there should be a minimum 9 inches between top and bottom partitions.
At All Things Inspector we are able to assist you in meeting the specifications to meet ADA toilet clearance requirements. We have experts and professionals who have received training in the area of toilet clearance in accordance with compliance with the ADA.