Single Accomodation Toilet

Provide 60” diameter circle clear space or “T” shaped

CBC Fig. 11B-1A1

space complying with Fig. 11B-12.  No door to encroach into clear floor space more than 12”.
CBC 1115B.3.2.1

Clear space for water closets not in stalls to comply with Fig. 28
ADAAG 4.16.2

Lavatories prohibited from overlapping the clear floor space at water closets, except in covered residential dwelling units.
2010 ADA 604.3.2

CBC Fig 11B-1A1 2010 ADA


About Dwight Ashdown

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56 Responses to Single Accomodation Toilet

  1. Gale Melton says:

    Please clarify if 30″ x 48″ clear space at accessible lavatory can extend all the way to the back wall (if the 9″ toe clearance minimum is observed) or maximum 19″ from front edge of lavatory?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      The 30″x48″ clear space at a lavatory can extend 19″ back – from the front edge of the lavatory. So, if the 48″ dimension extends 19″ back from the front edge – then it extends 29″ in front of the lavatory.

  2. HHF says:

    Please clarify in ref to the 18″ req distance from CL of toilet fixture to the adjacent wall ..is it minimum ? i.e. can it exceed that ..example 19″…20″..thanks

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      The previous code requirement was 18″ from side wall to centerline of toilet. The new / current code is 16″ – 18″ from side wall to centerline of toilet. The intention is that the toilet be appropriately placed so a disabled person can appropriately use the grab bars that are mounted adjacent to and behind the toilet. If the toilet is more than 18″ it’s difficult for a person to use the grab bars. We’ve adjusted the dimension on some projects by “furring or building out” the side wall to make it 18″.

      • JM says:

        I’m in the process of starting a remodel to one of the student lounge areas. Part of the remodel is to bring the current public restrooms to comply with current ADA code. I would like to confirm on the minimum and maximum dimensions. Could you provide me with the current California code that states the 16” to 18” from side wall to center line of the toilet? My approved drawings are showing 18” from the wall to the CL of the water closet. If I am able to use the 16” from the wall to the CL of the WC, I will not have to relocate the plumbing, since the existing WC’s are at 16” center line.

        • Dwight Ashdown says:

          The current code reference of 16″ – 18″ is described in my book ADA4CA.
          Be advised, however, that the code is changing on Jan. 1 2014 – to be 17″ – 18″.

  3. LG says:

    Can the door swing overlap the clear space at the lavatory?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      Generally no. The ADA does provide an exception, which allows a door to swing into the clear floor space of an accessible fixture if a clear area 30″x48″ is provided outside the door swing.
      2010 ADA 603.2.3 Exception.

  4. Doug Waters says:

    Are the above drawings/Fig’s consistent with Both ADA and CBC current 2014 requirements for retail?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      The drawings are based on the 2010 CBC & 2010 ADA. Generally they are consistent with the 2013 CBC – with the exception that we need to update them to show the toilet centered 17″ – 18″ from the side wall and a clear space in front of the toilet 48″ x 60″. We’ll get right on it.

      Thanks,

      Dwight

      • Doug Waters says:

        About the 48″ x 60″ clear space in front of the toilet, can that be arranged either way (portrait and landscape)?

        Thanks!

      • Mark says:

        The pics above show an in-swinging door, but in your book when you updated the pic to show the 60″x48″ clearance, you switched to an out-swinging door. Why? Assuming there’s 60″ in front of the lavatory (for an accessible route exit), doesn’t the 11B-603.2.3.2 exception still apply? That is, doesn’t the exception still take precedence over Figure 11B-604.3.1 (assuming the room is for individual use)?

        • Dwight Ashdown says:

          Yes, I agree. The 11B-603.3.2.3.2 exception does apply – which allows the door swing to overlap any fixture clear space, provided it’s a single occupancy restroom, and a clear floor space of 30″x48″ is provided beyond the door swing.

          • Dwight Ashdown says:

            Also, our drawing associated w/ CBC 11B-603.2 shows an in-swinging door. We’ll update the drawing and the text to include the exception.

  5. CCH says:

    The 18″ clearance from the centerline of the lavatory to the adjacent side wall seems to be a requirement specific to California. Is that in any national code? We normally set that distance at 15″ so the sink is in the center of the 30″ wide clear floor space.

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      Interesting question. I was going to refer you to 2010 ADA 606 – but it appears that the only requirement there is that the lavatory be centered on a 30″ clear space – so on initial review, I would have to say that the 18″ offset is a California specific requirement.

  6. MWestfall says:

    In 2013 CBC can the clear floor space for the WC and lav overlap? I’m being told by a consultant that they can’t but I only find reference to the WC being 28″ to edge of lav, not clear floor space.
    Thanks

  7. Jerry Garrett says:

    Does this ADA exception apply in California?

    This plan shows a typical example of a single-user toilet
    room that meets the minimum requirements of the 2010
    Standards when the entry door swings into the room. In the
    2010 Standards an exception allows the entry door to swing
    over the clear floor spaces and clearances required at the
    fixtures if a clear floor space complying with section 305.3
    (minimum 30 inches by 48 inches) is provided outside the arc
    of the door swing, section 603.3.3 exception 2. The required
    maneuvering space for the door, section 404.2.4.1 and
    Figure 404.2.4.1(a), also is a factor in room size. This clear
    space cannot be obstructed by the plumbing fixtures. Note
    that this layout provides more space for turning when the
    door is closed than Plan-1B.

  8. CF says:

    Does the overlap exception apply to the 48″ in front of a toilet if an accessible vanity is located on the wall opposite the toilet? In other words, can the knee space under the vanity be counted as part of the 48″? Or is the 48″ measured from the front edge of the toilet to the front edge of the counter?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      I personally think it’s legitimate to have the 48″ clear space overlap 8″ of the vanity (keeping a clear height of 27″ off the floor). This dimension and logic is taken from the section diagram of a sink – where the 27″ clear height can extend 8″ under the front lip of the sink. Whatever overlap you do – it’s important to maintain the 27″ clear height.

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      I think it’s legitimate to include an 8″ overlap under the vanity – provided the space is kept clear to 27″ off the floor. The logic for the 8″ overlap is derived from the 8″ clearance allowed under a sink, from the front edge of the counter.

  9. Katie Kelley says:

    What are the finished interior measurements of the CBC Fig 11B-1A1 2010 ADA image? We are designing an office for out by our greenhouse and want to get the best use of the space. Thanks
    Katie

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      It’s a little dependent on the size of the sink. It’s important to maintain 5′-0″ clear from the wall adjacent to the toilet to the edge of the sink. Generally, if you plan on the restroom being 7′-4″ wide and 7′-0″ front to back (clear) you should be ok. When we do initial planning, we typically think of an accessible restroom as 7′-0″ x 7′-0″.

  10. Dennis Dueker says:

    We are putting in an ADA restroom for our horse theapy center. The room is 11′ x 6′. The 60″ min. dia. circle will fit the room without touching the sink or toilet. It also will not have the door swing crossing through it. Does this meet requirements?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      The dimensions sound close, but it depends on the layout / arrangement of fixtures. Typically we use 7′-0″ x 7′-0″ as ballpark dimensions for an accessible restroom.

  11. Tamara says:

    If a business in an old building has one single toilet restroom that is not available to the public but only staff, must it be ADA compliant? And if so, is there an available exemption if plumbing (toilet and sink) or walls need to be moved, resulting in lost work space, in order to comply and the costs would be prohibitive to the business?

    Thank you.

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      The business & property owner are required to make “readily achievable” improvements to the restroom & the definition of readily achievable is dependent on the financial resources of the business and property owner. What that basically means is that the extent of changes / renovations would be different for Wallmart or McDonalds than they would be for a small mom & pop business. For a small business you would typically be required to add grab bars at the toilet, insulation on the pipes under the sink, bottom of the mirror at 40″, accessible hardware on the sink etc..

      • Tamara says:

        Hi Dwight. Thank you for the response. Follow up: even if the bathroom is for staff only and not available to the publice? Do these repairs need to be made if the person is buying the business and no other repairs/alterations are being made? Thanks!

  12. Craig Oka says:

    We have a project with a single accommodation toilet room with an in-swinging door. The door swings over the 60″ wide x 56″ deep clearance at the toilet. Per 2013 CBC Section 11B-603.2.3, Exception #2, it appears this would be allowed. We have sufficient clearance for a 30″ x 48″ wheelchair beyond the arc of the door swing. Also, the required pull side door clearances are maintained. However, the plan checker is citing 2013 CBC Figure 11B-604.3.1 which shows that the door may not swing over the 60″ x 56″ clear area at the toilet. I noticed that Figure 604.3.1 in the 2010 ADA does not have this requirement, so there is no conflict with 603.2.3, Exception #2. Why the conflict in the CBC?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      I didn’t write the code & I can’t really argue with your plan checker, but the way I read the code, 11B-603.2.3…”doors shall be permitted to swing into the clear floor space or clearance required for any fixture”, suggests that the door can swing into the toilet clear space, as long as you provide the 30″x48″ clear space beyond the door swing.

  13. Ashle F says:

    Could you please explain section 11B-604.8.1.2 Doors? I would like to understand the application where it states “Door shall be located in the front partition or in the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the front partition, the door opening shall be 4 inches…maximum from the side wall or partition farthes from the water closet. Where located in the side wall…the door opening shall be 4 inches…maximum from the front partition.” What are the physical limitations that necessitate this rule?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      I didn’t write the code, but I believe the intention is to essentially keep the accessible stall door essentially diagonal and as far away as possible from the toilet. If the door style is larger than 4″, that moves the door closer to the toilet and reduces the maneuvering space that’s diagonally in front of the toilet. The diagrams in our digital book ADA4CA should make this clear.

  14. Ron says:

    can a urinal be added to a current ADA single bathroom?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      Yes – but it depends on the size of the restroom. The current code requirement is 60″ clear from the side wall adjacent to the toilet to the edge of sink, or in this case the urinal.

  15. Stan Riddle says:

    I am renovating a live-work unit in Oakland. Can the 60″ circle for wheelchair turning space overlap with a 30″ x 60″ roll in shower stall (its open to the rest of the single-use toilet/bathroom on the 60″ side)? or must the circle stop at/not surpass the edge of the shower stall? Thanks.

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      If there is a threshold at the shower, I would be cautious about having the 60″ circle overlap the shower. If it’s a smooth floor surface, I think that the circle can overlap the shower space. I also have to say, that’s my impression, having not seen the space or a drawing. I hope that helps.

  16. George H says:

    Am I correct in stating that the lavatory cannot encroach on the 56″ x 60″ clear area around the toilet?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      That’s correct. I presume you are talking about a single occupancy toilet – in which case, there’s also a requirement to keep a 48″x60″ area clear in front of the toilet.

  17. RJ says:

    The 2016 CBC Section 11B-603.2.3, Exception #2 specifically allows for the door to swing into the clear floor space and the clearance around the fixtures (provided there is a 30″x48″ space that is clear of the door swing), but still says that the door swing may not overlap more than 12″ into the TURNING space.

    The ADA allows for the door to swing into the turning space.
    The City of Santa Clara shows the door swinging into the turning space by more than 12″ (see page 5).

    http://santaclaraca.gov/home/showdocument?id=50380

    I think this is ADA compliant but actually not CBC compliant. Am I correct?

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      You’re correct – CBC 11B-603.2.3 limits the encroachment of doors, other than toilet compartment doors, into the clear floor space to 12″. The ADA 304.2 allows doors to swing into the turning space, without limitation, as long as a 30″x48″ clear space is provided within the room. Given that, it would appear that the Santa Clara diagram needs a 12″ limit on the door swing into the 60″ clear space.

      • RJ says:

        Thanks. This was an exception added later and it could very well be sloppy drafting by California in so far as they forgot to add “and turning space”, given that a single user toilet is functionally the same as (or rather better than) a toilet compartment.

        I don’t see how the 12″ limitation on door swing encroachment into turning space for a single user toilet does anything more than waste society’s resources.

  18. Jim Degener says:

    If part of the public restroom design has several (3-4) single occupancy toilet rooms, all adjacent to each other, the doors all lined up on one side of a hallway, do they all need to be accessible? This is all new construction. There will also be a larger 16 water closet unisex facility across the hall with the required number of accessible stalls and lavs within.

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      From your description, it sounds like you would want to have at least one of the single occupancy toilet rooms be accessible – so you can provide the privacy of a single occupancy toilet room to individuals with disabilities.

  19. Regis says:

    Hi Dwight:

    If I have the WC and Lav facing each other in a single user bathroom, am I correct in assuming that the 48 inches of clear space required for each may over lap the other?
    I have about 92 inches total. If the WC is 28 inches + a 16 inch lav would leave 48 inches in between the two.

    Thanks,

    Regis

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      Yes, the clear spaces can overlap. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the clear space from the toilet can only extend 8″ under the front edge of the sink, where the bottom of the sink is a minimum of 27″ clear above the floor – to allow for wheelchair turning.

  20. Travis Dworetzky says:

    I want to place a cabinet on the wall and off the ground in my bathroom to store supplies. The cabinet would be facing the toilet. What are the ADA requirement for that? i.e. how many inches off the ground and how far away from the toilet, etc. I have a single toilet restroom.

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      It sort of depends on the size/depth of the cabinet and how far off the ground you want to put it. Based on your description – I would suggest that the cabinet be no more than 4″ deep – and the bottom of the cabinet be at least 27″ off the floor.

  21. David Early says:

    What is the minimum length to create a single accommodation toilet that is only 5 feet wide (the dimension of the required turning radius), with the door swinging into the room on the 5′ side?

    For example, could I put the toilet at one of the room and the sink next to the door on other end, and then come out with a length of something like 8′-6″? I am concerned that this layout may not be possible since the sink would be in the required 18″ clear space on the wall next to the door.

    If the above layout wouldn’t work, can you suggest any other layout that would allow us to keep the toilet as narrow as possible, with the door swinging in on the narrow end?

    Thanks!

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      A “shotgun restroom” like you are describing would essentially require 13′-0″ of depth. Keep in mind that you need to maintain 48″ clearance in front of the toilet – which establishes where the sink can go. Then you also need to provide 5′-0″ of clearance were the door swings into the restroom, which extends to the other side of the sink. I don’t really see any other creative options to reduce the 13′-0″ depth, other than having the door swing out.

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