TOILET COMPARTMENTS ARE A MAJOR SERVICE AMENITY IN ALL PUBLIC
WASHROOMS, continued
Alternate 48" (1219mm) MIN.
WIDE compartments (Fig.10, acceptable only in alterations where standard compartments
are technically infeasible) (No ICC/ANSI 98 equivalent), with an out-swinging door near
one corner, must be at least 48" (1219mm) wide and 66" (1676mm) deep with
wall-mounted toilets or 69" (1753mm) with floor-mounted toilets. The toilet must be
offset on the back wall with its centerline 18" (457mm) from the nearest side wall or
partition. This alternate compartment is the least usable of the five accessible
compartments specified in ADAAG. It has neither the maneuvering space of the standard
compartments for wheelchair users nor the parallel grab bars of the alternate compartment
36" (914mm) wide for walking mobility-impaired people.
36" (914mm) WIDE (WALK-IN)
COMPARTMENTS
(ICC/ANSI 98 Ambulatory Accessible Compartment) (Fig. 9, 11) for washrooms with 6 or
more toilets can be the same length as typical toilet compartments but must be 36"
(914mm) wide, have parallel grab bars and an out-swinging door. The ICC/ANSI 98 ambulatory
accessible stall serves the same purpose as it too is intended for people who walk with
mobility impairments. However, it does have a specified length and more extensive door
requirements.
Toe clearance at least
9" (229mm) above the finish floor is required under the front partition and one side
partition of all accessible compartments (Fig. 12b). Toe clearance is not required if the
depth of the compartment is greater than 60" (1524mm). Some wheelchair users must
position their feet higher than 9" (229mm). The ICC/ANSI 98 requirements for toe
clearance in wheelchair accessible compartments are more stringent and detailed. In
addition to the vertical height, the toe clearance must extend 6" out from the
compartment. The partition on the side of the compartment with open clear floor space is
required to have the toe clearance. Toe clearance is not required at a front partition
when the compartment depth is greater than 62" for a wall-hung toilet and 65"
for a floor-mounted toilet. Compartments deeper than 66" do not require any toe
clearances.
Doors on all accessible
toilet compartments must meet ADAAG specifications for doors, including door hardware (see
Doors on page 4). There must be a clear opening at least 32" (813mm) wide when the
doors are open 90 degrees. Out- swinging doors approached from the latch side must have an
access aisle at least 42" (1067mm) wide; other approaches require an access aisle at
least 48" (1219mm) wide. It is recommended that all out-swinging doors close
completely because a partially open door may interfere with access aisles, ensuring
privacy for disabled people who cannot readily pull doors closed and latch them.
Toilets (Fig. 12) with
undercut bowls are preferred. Either hand-operated lever or automatic flush controls may
be used as long as they are mounted no higher than 44" (1118mm) (for children
36" max., 914mm) above the finish floor and are placed on the side of the toilet with
the most clear floor space. Flush controls must meet the ADAAG specifications for controls
and operating mechanisms. The height of the toilet seat is perhaps the most critical
factor. It is almost impossible to provide an ideal seat height in multi-use facilities
because people with different abilities have different needs. The height of toilet seats
must be 17" to 19" (432–483mm) above the finish floor. Moderate heights of
17" to 18" (432–457mm) work well in standard compartments, while
upper-range heights of 18" to 19" (457–483mm) work best in the alternate
36" (914mm) wide compartment and 36" (914mm) wide (walk-in) compartments. For
children heights of 11" to 17" (279– 432mm) vary by age. Toilet seats
cannot be sprung to return to lifted position.
GRAB BARS
ARE REQUIRED
IN ALL ACCESSIBLE TOILET COMPARTMENTS.
Grab bars must have a diameter of 1 1/4" to 1 1/2"
(32–38mm) and a clearance between the grab bar and wall and/or accessory surface(s)
of 1 1/2" (38mm). Required mounting heights are universally 33" to 36"
(838–914mm) (for children mounting heights are 18" to 27", 457–686mm)
from the centerline of the grab bar to the finish floor. The structural strength of all
grab bars and their mounting devices must withstand more than 250 lbf (1112 N).
Straight horizontal grab bars are the minimum specified by ADAAG. A few localities may
require a combination of horizontal and vertical grab bars. Standard compartments require
one grab bar at least 40" (1016mm) long to be mounted on the side wall or partition
nearest the toilet, no more than 12" (305mm) from the back wall. A second grab bar at
least 36" (914mm) long must be mounted on the back wall, no more than 6" (152mm)
from the side wall or partition nearest the toilet (Fig. 7, 8). Alternate compartments
36" (914mm) wide require parallel grab bars at least 42" (1067mm) long to be
mounted on each side of the toilet, no more than 12" (305mm) from the back wall, to
provide a place for elbow and forearm leverage (Fig. 9, 11). Alternate 48" (1219mm)
min. wide compartments require one grab bar at least 42" (1067mm) long to be mounted
on the side wall or partition nearest the toilet, no more than 12" (305mm) from the
back wall. A second grab bar at least 36" (914mm) long must be mounted on the back
wall no more than 6" (152mm) from the side wall or partition nearest the toilet (Fig.
10). In ICC/ANSI 98, horizontal grab bars mounted on side partitions or walls must always
be at least 42" (1067mm) long. |
