April 17, 2019

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was set in place so those with disabilities can use facilities without being discriminated against due to a poor architectural design. One of the most difficult rooms to make ADA compliant, is the bathroom. Today we’re going to discuss ADA compliance and how to make your bathroom compliant before you get a complaint.

American’s with Disabilities Act

ADA was amended in 2002 to make sure that building built for both able bodied persons and people with disabilities alike. The Act has various rules within it that keep a business from being discriminatory in their architecture, so that everyone can come inside.

There are rules regarding minimum size and height requirements for doors, toilet stalls, bathtubs, sinks, mirrors, and more. There are also different rules for different institutions, like correctional and medical facilities, that need to be met.

One specific room that has universal ADA requirements is the bathroom. Make sure your bathroom is up to ADA code today, or you might have to do a bathroom remodeling if you get a complaint. ADA complaints are not to be ignored, and should be addressed and fixed as quickly as possible so your facilities are accessible for everyone.

Making Your Bathroom ADA Compliant

To have an ADA Compliant bathroom, you have to meet the minimum requirements. The requirements for a single person bathroom are:

• The center line of the toilet must be between 16 and 18 inches from the side of the wall.
• 30- by 48-inch access to the sink. This measurement starts from where a person has a 9-inch vertical clearance for their feet, and a 27-inch vertical clearance for their knees. Essentially, these measurements make sure someone in a wheelchair can access the sink.
• The toilet seat must sit 17 to 19 inches above the ground.
• A clear circle of at least 60 inches around the side wall and 56 inches from the rear wall to allow a wheelchair to turn. This means that the door cannot swing in to the minimum required area for wheelchair-accessible toilets.

For multi-user bathrooms, there are different requirements. They follow the same basic principles, but with a few additional details. Here are some basic requirements for multi-user bathrooms:

• Sinks must be mounted no higher than 34 inches off the ground.
• Faucets should be able to use with one hand without having to tightly grasp, pinch, or twist the wrist. ADA requires that a user should not exert more than five pounds of force to use the faucet.
• Grab bars should be at least 36 inches long on the rear wall, or 42 inches on the side wall, and must be mounted 33 to 36 inches from the floor. They also be able to withstand at least 250 pounds of pressure.
• Doors must be able to open with minimal force and have easy-to-grab handles. Doorways must be at least 32 inches wide with a door that opens at 90 degrees.

How To Avoid Getting an ADA Complaint

To avoid getting ADA complaints, make sure your bathroom is up to code. You may need to remodel your bathroom, and the Bath Doctor can help you make sure you meet all the requirements this time. Contact us today and learn more about how we can help you make your bathroom ADA compliant.

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