Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Analysis and Com menta ry on the 201 0 A DAStandards long side of the compartment. The 1991 Toilet and Bathing Rooms. Section 213 Standards require alternate roll-in show- of the 2010 Standards sets out the scoping ers in a portion of accessible transient requirements for toilet and bathing rooms. lodging guest rooms, but provision of this shower type in other facilities is gener- Commenters recommended that section 213, ally permitted as an equivalent facilita- Toilet Facilities and Bathing Facilities, of the tion. The 1991 Standards require a seat 2010 Standards include requirements that to be provided adjacent to the opening; unisex toilet and bathing rooms be provided and require the controls to be located on in certain facilities. These commenters the side adjacent to the seat. The 2010 suggested that unisex toilet and bathing Standards permit alternate roll-in showers rooms are most useful as companion care to be used in any facility, only require a facilities. seat in transient lodging guest rooms, and allow location of controls on the back wall Model plumbing and building codes require opposite the seat as an alternative. single-user (unisex or family) toilet facilities in certain occupancies, primarily assembly Commenters raised concerns that adding facilities, covered malls, and transportation a new exception that permits a 2-inch facilities. These types of toilet rooms provide maximum curb in transfer-type showers flexibility for persons needing privacy so in alterations to existing facilities, where that they can obtain assistance from family recessing the compartment to achieve members or persons of the opposite sex. a ½-inch curb will disturb the structural When these facilities are provided, both the reinforcement of the floor slab, will impair the 1991 Standards and 2010 Standards require ability of individuals with disabilities to use that they be accessible. The 2010 Standards transfer-type showers. do not scope unisex toilet facilities because plumbing codes generally determine the The exception in section 608.7 of the 2010 number and type of plumbing fixtures to Standards permitting a 2-inch maximum curb be provided in a particular occupancy and in transfer-type showers is allowed only in often determine whether an occupancy must existing facilities where provision of a ½-inch provide separate sex facilities in addition to high threshold would disturb the structural single-user facilities. However, the scoping reinforcement of the floor slab. Whenever this at section 213.2.1 of the 2010 Standards exception is used the least high threshold coordinates with model plumbing and building that can be used should be provided, up to a code requirements which will permit a small maximum height of 2 inches. This exception toilet room with two water closets or one is intended to provide some flexibility water closet and one urinal to be considered where the existing structure precludes full a single-user toilet room provided that the compliance. room has a privacy latch. In this way, a Department of Justice Guidance on the 2010 Standards: Titles II and III - 105