Toilet rooms: fixture and transfer clearances

Chapter 6: Plumbing Elements and Facilities Toilet Rooms In facilities that are exempt from the requirement for vertical access between stories, are toilet rooms required to comply on stories not connected by an accessible route? Yes. In facilities that are not required to provide an accessible route between stories based on the story count or square footage per floor (§206.2.3, Ex. 1 or 2), all other provisions in the Standards, including those for toilet rooms, still apply to levels and stories not connected by an accessible route. In addition, if a toilet room is provided on an inaccessible story of such a facility, a toilet room also must be provided on an accessible story so that it is connected to an accessible entrance by an accessible route (§213.1). What is the minimum size of toilet rooms? The standards do not specify the minimum size of toilet rooms. The required size of a toilet room is determined by room layout, the number and configuration of fixtures provided, required clearances, the presence of baby changing tables and other amenities, turning space, door maneuvering clearances, and other factors and requirements. Can doors swing into the turning space and fixture clearances? Doors can swing into the turning space. They cannot swing into the clearance required at plumbing fixtures, except in single user toilet rooms where clear floor space 30” minimum by 48” minimum is provided in the room beyond the arc of the door swing (§603.2.3, Ex. 2). In addition, doors can swing into fixture clearances at single-occupant toilet rooms accessed only through a private office and not for common use if the swing of the door can be reversed (§603.2.3, Ex. 1). When is a toilet room required to be designed for children? The Standards do not require that toilet rooms be designed for children. This determination is usually made based on other building requirements or regulations, good practice, or client preference. However, the Standards do provide alternate specifications based on children’s dimensions that can be followed where a toilet room is designed for children. If a restroom serves both adults and children, must an accessible toilet compartment be provided for both adults and children? In restrooms that serve both adults and children, it is advisable, but not required, to provide wheelchair accessible toilet compartments for both user groups, but the Standards require only one wheelchair accessible toilet compartment in all toilet rooms. Can elements with knee and toe space overlap the required turning space? Yes. Elements that provide compliant knee and toe space, such as lavatories, can overlap a portion of the turning space. 34