Guide to Accessible Bath Design: Best Practices
- 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
- Questions & answers aboutaccessible kitchens & bathrooms
- Questions & answers aboutADA compliance for kitchens and baths
- References
|
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Accessible bathroom design: This article describes recommended design details and clearance or space specifications for wheelchair accessible bathrooms.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Accessible Bathroom Design Specifications
See TOILET TYPES for a guide to identifying toilets by type, brand, & features. To diagnose & fix toilet problems see TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR.
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. 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, 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:
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
|
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
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
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
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
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
A bathroom clear space for reversing direction in a wheelchair should be either
- a circle,
60 inches in diameter, or
- a T-shaped space of 36x36x60
inches (see Figure 6-26).
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.
Also see Questions & Answers about accessible kitchens & bathrooms & about ADA compliance below.
|
Grab Bar Locations & Installation Requirements for Accessible Bathrooms
These should be installed in the bathtub or
shower and toilet areas for full accessibility.
- Grab Bar Reinforcing. Reinforce attachment points at the
time of construction with 3/4-inch plywood or solid
2x6 blocking designed to bear a static load of
300 pounds.
- Grab Bar Size. Grab bars should be from 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in
diameter with a slip-resistant surface and sit 1 1/2 inches
away from the wall.
- Grab Bar Location. The optimal location of grab bars will
depend on the users’ specific needs, such as whether
they will be sitting or standing and which types of
movements they can and cannot perform.
One vertical
bar placed at the entry point to a shower or bath
enclosure is generally useful to anyone getting in or
out. A horizontal bar on the control side is useful for
people who stand in the shower.
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.
-- Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about about accessible kitchens & bathrooms & about ADA compliance
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.
...
Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
Questions & answers or comments about accessible kitchens & bathrooms and Questions & Answers about ADA compliance for kitchens and baths.
Ask a Question or Enter Search Terms in the InspectApedia search box just below.
Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
- 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, U.S. Department of Justice, 28 CFR Part 36, Revised as of July 1, 1994, excerpts; web search 5/10/12, original source: http://www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm [copy on file as ADA_Standards_1994.pdf]
- Alliance for Water Efficiency, 300 W Adams Street, Suite 601
Chicago, Illinois 60606, Tel: 866-730-A4WE, Website: http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/ Quoting:
The Alliance for Water Efficiency is a stakeholder-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water. Located in Chicago, the Alliance serves as a North American advocate for water efficient products and programs, and provides information and assistance on water conservation efforts.
- OSHA toilet standards: OSHA's sanitation standard for general industry, 29 CFR 1910.141(c)(l)(i), specifies taht employers shall provide toilet facilities for their employees. Web-search 5/10/12, original source:
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id
=22932&p_table=INTERPRETATIONS
- "The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
- "Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
- Access Ramp building codes:
- UBC 1003.3.4.3
- BOCA 1016.3
- ADA 4.8.2
- IBC 1010.2
- Access Ramp Standards:
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Public Law 101-336. 7/26/90 is very often cited by other sources for good design of stairs and ramps etc. even where disabled individuals are not the design target.
- ANSI A117.4 Accessible and Usable buildings and Facilities (earlier version was incorporated into the ADA)
- ASTM F 1637, Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, (Similar to the above standards)
- ...
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
|
