Design Characteristics of an ADA Bathroom
Since the 1990 passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), many places have had to make their facilities ADA-compliant. One of the major areas that need to be looked at is the bathroom. The Act requires that all bathrooms be ADA-compliant and usable by people with disabilities. Does this Spark an idea?
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Clearance Guidelines
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An ADA restroom must be able to accommodate a person in a wheelchair. A minimum of a 5-foot diameter clear space for the wheelchair to turn around in is required, as well as a 30-inch-by-48-inch clear space underneath the sink so that a wheelchair can roll up to it. Also at least one stall if not more are required to be accessible by someone in a wheelchair.
Grab Bar Requirements.
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A must-have for an ADA bathroom is the grab bars. Two grab bars are required around the toilet: one on the back wall that is 36 inches in length with the center line of the toilet being 12 inches from the wall, the other along the sidewall on the toilet, 42 inches in length and placed 12 inches from the corner. Both grab bars should be a minimum of 1 1/4 inches in diameter and a maximum of 2 inches in diameter.
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Mirrors
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Another must-have for an ADA-compliant restroom is a mirror. Every bathroom has at least one and an ADA bathroom has to have one that meets the following requirement: its bottom edge should not be higher than 40 inches above the finish floor. Many times the best solution for an ADA bathroom is to have a full-length mirror because everyone can use it.
Toilet Paper Holders
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Toilet paper holders need to be the kind that does not have a controlled delivery. The folded-tissue dispensers are not recommended because they require a finger-pinching control that is not viewed as universally accessible to people with disabilities. Toilet paper holders are mounted no more than 36 inches from the back wall and they shall be centered at 19 inches above the finish floor.
Waste Receptacles
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Another necessary item for a restroom is waste receptacles. For a waste receptacle to be ADA-accessible, the waste receptacles should have an opening between 15 inches and 48 inches above the finish floor. This allows wheelchairs to either pull forward in front of it or reach it from the side. The waste receptacles should not protrude more then 4 inches from the wall so that it does not become a hazard to blind people or interfere with any clear space requirements in front of sinks or aisles.
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