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Figure 6-1: Accessible Bathroom  Design Specs: Accessible sink or lav  (C) J Wiley S Bliss Guide to Accessible Bath Design: Best Practices

Accessible bathroom design:

This article describes recommended design details and clearance or space specifications for wheelchair accessible bathrooms.

We include sources of custom toilets, bath fixtures, and accessible design products.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Accessible Bathroom Design Specifications

Wheelchair space gained below sink © D Friedman at InspectApedia.com Discussed here: accessible bathroom design, layouts, specifications. Doors & passageways for accessible bathrooms. Lav height, knee space, for accessible bathrooms. Floor space requirements at toilets/bidets for accessiblity.

Floor space needed at showers for accessible bathrooms. Rules for turning space and overlapping-use floor spaces in accessible bathrooms. Grab bar specifications for accessible baths. Bathroom fixture control specs for accessible bathrooms.

This article series discusses current best design practices for kitchens and bathrooms, including layout, clearances, work space, and accessible kitchen and bathroom layout, clearances, turning space, grab bars, controls, etc.

[Click to enlarge any image]

We include advice on choosing and installing kitchen countertops, cabinets, and kitchen or bathroom flooring, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures and fixture controls such as faucets.

A list of kitchen and bath product manufactures and sources is included. This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) , by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons.

If your access requirements include wheelchair ramps to building entrances, also see Ramps, access.

Our photo (left) illustrates how additional wheelchair turn space might be gained by suspending the lav sink.

As specified and described in Chapter 6 of Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) :

To make a bathroom fully functional for wheelchair users and other seated occupants requires commonsense changes, such as using universal controls and placing them within reach, as well as some significant changes, such as lowering sinks and providing knee space below.

In some cases, the room will need to be enlarged to accommodate a roll-in shower or to allow room for wheelchair users to reverse direction. The minimum guidelines below, based on ANSI Standard A117.1, are a good starting point in design, but they should be tailored to the size, reach, and specific capabilities of the occupants.

Doors and Passageways for Accessible Bathrooms

Clear space at doorways and passageways should be at least 32 inches wide and no more than 24 inches long in the direction of travel. Walkways between vertical objects (walls, cabinets, fixtures) greater than 24 inches long in the direction of travel should be at least 36 inches wide.

Pocket doors or doors that swing outward are preferred, since they do not encroach on bathroom space and will not get blocked in an emergency. Eliminate any thresholds at doorways.

Lavatory Height and Knee Space for Accessible Bathrooms

Figure 6-1: Accessible Bathroom  Design Specs: Accessible sink or lav  (C) J Wiley S Bliss

 

Accessible bathroom sink height: for most seated users, the recommended sink height is 32 inches (Figure 6-21).

Accessible bathroom knee space needed: Provide knee space at the sink at least 27 inches high at the opening and 19 inches deep, with adequate toe space.

Protect users from exposed pipes and mechanicals with insulation and a protective panel.

[Click any image or table to see an enlarged version with additional detail, commentary & source citation.]

Provide knee space at the sink for seated users, as shown.

The optimal sink height for most seated users is about 32 inches. - Source:

Reprinted with permission of John Wiley & Sons, from the Essential Bathroom Design Guide by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, ©1997 NKBA.

Floor Space at Lavatory in Accessible Bathrooms

Figure 6-1: Accessible Bathroom  Design Specs:  (C) J Wiley S Bliss

Provide a minimum clear floor space of 30x48 inches centered in front of the sink either parallel or perpendicular to the sink.

Up to 19 inches of the 48-inch dimension can extend under the sink if knee space is provided (Figure 6-22).

Provide a 30 x 48 inch floor space either parallel or perpendicular to the sink. Up to 19 inches of the 48-inch dimension can extend under the sink if adequate knee space is provided.

Floor Space at Toilet or Bidet in Accessible Bathrooms

Figure 6-1: Accessible Bathroom  Design Specs:  (C) J Wiley S Bliss

 

Provide a minimum clearance of 18 inches on either side of the toilet or bidet centerline to a wall or fixture.

Also provide a minimum 30x48-inch clear floor space (preferably 48x48 inches) in front of the toilet or bidet.

If necessary, the clear floor space may include up to 12 inches of knee space under an adjacent sink. Remember that these are minimum clearances.

To simplify transfers, leave as much free space on one side of the toilet as possible (Figure 6-23).

Provide a minimum 18-inch clearance on either side of a toilet or bidet and clear space in front, as shown.

If possible, provide additional clear space on one side to ease transfers and provide space for a helper to stand.

Floor Space Requirements at Bathtub in Accessible Bathrooms

Figure 6-1: Accessible Bathroom  Design Specs:  (C) J Wiley S Bliss

Provide a minimum clear floor space of 60 inches along the length of the tub by 30 inches deep for a parallel approach or by 48 inches deep for a perpendicular approach.

An additional 12 to 18 inches of clear space beyond each end of the tub is also desirable for access to controls and to ease transfers (see Figure 6-24).

The 60-inch clear space shown above [in Figure 6-24], based on ANSI Standards, is a bare minimum. Additional floor space at one or both ends is helpful for transfers and access to controls. - Source: adapted with permission from NKBA Essential Design Guide, John Wiley & Sons, 1996.

Floor Space at Shower in Accessible Baths

Figure 6-1: Accessible Bathroom  Design Specs:  (C) J Wiley S Bliss

 

For people who shower standing, provide a minimum 36x36–inch shower with appropriate grab bars, and provide a minimum clear floor space in front, 36 inches deep by the width of the shower plus 12 inches.

People who cannot leave their wheelchair require wider roll-in showers of at least 30x60 inches.

The minimum access space should be the full length of the shower by 36 inches.

For either type of shower, an additional 12 to 18 inches beyond each end is desirable for better access to controls and to ease transfers (Figure 6-25).

[Click any image or table to see an enlarged version with additional detail, commentary & source citation.]

Both standing and roll-in showers require adequate grab bars and clear floor space, as shown. For either type of shower, 12 to 18 inches of floor space beyond the minimum is desirable for better access to controls and to ease transfers.

Overlapping Floor Spaces in Accessible Bathrooms

Clear floor spaces in front of fixtures may overlap and may include up to 12 inches deep of knee space below the sink.

Wheelchair Turning Space Needed in Accessible Bathrooms

Figure 6-1: Accessible Bathroom  Design Specs:  (C) J Wiley S Bliss

 

A bathroom clear space for reversing direction in a wheelchair should be either

Grab Bar Locations & Installation Requirements for Accessible Bathrooms

Concealed mount grab bars in a bathroom (C) Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com

These should be installed in the bathtub or shower and toilet areas for full accessibility.

Figure 6-1: Accessible Bathroom  Design Specs: Grab Bar Specifications for Bathrooms  (C) J Wiley S Bliss

ANSI guidelines for accessible bathrooms specify grab bars at 33 to 36 inches above the floor.

However, accessibility experts often place them higher or lower based on an individual’s specific needs.

In toilet areas, install one grab bar behind the toilet and one on the side wall closest to the toilet.

Some people require grab bars on both sides. ANSI guidelines for toilet and tub areas are shown in Figure 6-27.

ANSI guidelines specify grab bars at 33 to 36 inches above the floor space.

However accessibility experts may place them higher or lower based on an individual's specific needs.

Note that the tub and shower controls are offset toward the outside of the tub for easier access. - Source: ADA Guidelines, ANSI 117.1, and recommendations of accessibility experts.

 

Storage Locations in Accessible Bathrooms

Locate storage for toiletries, linens, and bathroom supplies within 15 to 48 inches from the floor.

Locate towel racks, soap dishes, and other personal hygiene items within the same height range.

Controls Specifications for Accessible Bathrooms

Controls, dispensers, and outlets should be located from 15 to 48 inches high, and all devices should be operable with a closed fist.

Offset controls in showers and tubs toward the room side, as shown in FIGURE 6-27 (above).

This makes fixture controls, dispensers, etc. easier to reach for all users.

Accessible Bathroom Specifications for Toilet Seat Heights / Toilet Rim Heights

Wood platform provides handicapped accessible height and railings for a chemical toilet - The Throne (C) Daniel Friedman Jennifer ChurchQuoting from the ADA 2010 standard:

604.4 Seats. The seat height of a water closet above the finish floor shall be 17 inches (430 mm) minimum and 19 inches (485 mm) maximum measured to the top of the seat. Seats shall not be sprung to return to a lifted position.

[Click to enlarge any image]

If you need to provide seat height and grabrails that meet ADA specifications for accessible designs see

- - Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) .

Ranges of Toilet Rim or Bowl Heights

  1. Standard toilet rim heights are set usually at 16-inches.
  2. ADA compliant toilets are taller, set between 17-inches and 19-inches.
  3. Low rim height or low bowl height or low seat height toilets vary without a national standard but will be lower han 16-inches, varying by manufacturer

Custom & Low-Height Toilets

Toilets for small people, children and others who want a low toilet seat height: this topic has moved

to TOILET, LOW-HEIGHT

Bathroom Fixtures or ADA Accessible Design Products

  • Bemis Manufacturing Company, 300 Mill Street P.O. Box 901 Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085-0901 USA Tel: 920.467.4621 Email: corp@BemisMfg.com Website: http://www.bemismfg.com/

    Excerpt: We market products under our own brands and provide expertise to others, producing private-label products and component parts for a wide variety of industries. We serve consumer, commercial, medical and industrial markets worldwide and have over 1,600 employees located in six countries around the world.
  • Comforts Of Home Services, 410 Rathbone Ave., Aurora IL 60506 USA, Tel: 630-906-8002Website: https://www.cohsi.com/

    Excerpt: we provide luxury restroom and specialty trailer solutions that are clean, sanitary and inviting.
  • Delta, grab bars
  • Starcraft Custom Builders, Inc., StarCraft Custom Builders P. O. Box 80265 Lincoln, NE 68501-0265 USA, Tel: 1-402-871-5301 Email: info@starcraftcustombuilders.com Website: http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/

    Notice: Nebraska is the only place we work. Except: We do, on a limited basis, consistent with our local work, build custom cabinets, built-ins, wardrobe walls, medicine cabinets and custom furniture for shipment through­out North America. But, we work only through local re­modelers and carpenters.
  • Whitehall Manufacturing, 15125 Proctor Avenue City of Industry, CA 91746 USA Website: https://www.whitehallmfg.com/custom-products
    Website Excerpt:

    Whitehall Manufacturing remains a leader in therapy and rehabilitation products, providing the healthcare industry with innovative design and always remaining ahead of the curve. While our standard products meet the conditions for most applications, we also eagerly welcome custom work to meet the various needs of our devoted clients.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Question: Can wheelchair turning space include space under the toilet bowl or below the lav/sink?

I am a home owner with a bathroom accessibility design issue. The diagram (Best Practices FIGURE 6-26) clearly shows a small part of the wheel chair turning circle can be under the toilet bowl.

Yours is the only publication I can find that allows this. It makes sense to me, but is it really approved? Clearly it will depend on the toilet design. Mine has a 6 inch deep by 9 inch high recess under the bowl front which would accomodate part of the foot rest of a turning wheelchair.

It is a big deal in my 86 inch wide space, into which the 28.5 inch long toilet (American Standard Cadet 3, 2 piece Compact) will protrude. I need 2.5 inches under that toilet front! Can you confirm I have it? Thanks so much! - C.T., Canada.

Reply: Perhaps Yes; Complying with the intent and spirit of the ADA is subject to legal and other interpretations

It may very well be that there is no definitive answer as these recommendations are based on the ADA Standards, which are laws, which are subject to legal interpretation.

The specific ADA language for "clear space in toilet rooms" is reprinted below the larger version of the illustration about which you inquire (click on any of our illustrations to see an enlarged version with more detail).

Space for T-Turn: Allow space in the bathroomf or a wheelchair to reverse direction. Where a 60-inch diameter circle is not possible, a T-shaped turning space is an optin. Where space is tight, toe and knee clearance can be included in the turning circle or at the end of one arm of the turning T.

Perhaps the key ADA phrase is "unobstructed turning space." If the bottom of the toilet does not obstruct the bottom of the wheelchair, and/or or the space below a lavatory (sink) permits the user's toes and knees to pass below, in our opinion, the writer has satisfied the spirit of the law in this case.

More to the point, the ADA is a binding law on public buildings and certain commercial buildings, but not in private homes, where it serves simply as a set of recommendations.

Some accessible bathroom design experts have their own preferences, interpretations, and design ideas that may and may not strictly comply with ADA - or may exceed it as ADA is a set of minimum standards. If the writer can maneuver successfully in the space described, then whether or not it complies with the finer points of ADA is moot.

Question:

(Mar 29, 2013) deen said:
I am planning a full renovation on a four unit multifamily and I would like to arrange the two ground floor units according to CA. Handicap accessable code. The bathrooms will be full with large shower as well as seperate bath tubs. Can someone direct me to a site with basic codes and a few scetches. 5109268864 OR ndc201275@gmail.com

Reply:

Deen

the sketches above give the clearances and dimensions you requested.


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