A wall-mounted hand dryer is a good choice because it eliminates waste. A better solution is a recessed trash receptacle or combination paper towel dispenser/trash receptacle. Keep in mind that a trash can on the floor, for example, is a barrier when it comes to someone in a wheelchair reaching for a dispenser mounted above it. A full-length mirror in the restroom fulfills the ADA requirement for mirrors if it’s not possible to mount the mirror at 40 inches above the floor. The ADAAG states that mirrors need to be mounted with the bottom edge of the reflecting surface no higher than 40 inches above the floor, with the top edge at a minimum of 74 inches from the floor. When the reach depth is over 20 inches deep, a reach range of 44 inches applies. A 48-inch-high limitation is required for all accessories (except those mounted over obstructions), including lavatory fixtures, which are up to 20 inches deep. Faucets, Dispensers, Grab Bars and Mirrorsįaucets and soap dispensers must meet ADA reach range and mounting height requirements. Durability is key, as is ease of cleaning. Infrared-controlled and capacitive-sensor controlled faucets are the most universal, offering touch-free, easy activation. Lever-handle faucets are useful when only one hand can be used. Lever, paddle, and infrared faucet controls make turning the water on and off easy. The continuous bowl is also easier to clean than a row of individual sinks and eliminates crevices for microbes to hide. An added benefit of these fixtures is that the solid-surface finish is durable and can be repaired. Only one bowl in a multi-bowl sink needs to offer minimum knee and toe clearances, so these multi-height lavatory systems combine an ADA-compliant sink with higher sinks. Jon Villwock, Bradley Corp.’s product manager for lavatory systems and washfountains, recommends some features to look for when choosing ADA-compliant restroom products: Sink AreasĬonsider solid-surface lavatory systems with fully integrated sinks at various heights. The key to ADA compliance is choosing well-made, durable products that are easy to use and require minimal physical effort. They should be able to withstand at least 250 pounds of pressure. They need a gripping surface of at least 1.25 inches, mounted at least 1.5 inches from the wall. Grab bars should be at least 36 inches long on the rear wall or 42 inches on the side wall and should be mounted 33-36 inches above the floor. Like faucets, flush valves shouldn’t require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. Water closets must be 17 to 19 inches from the floor (measured from the floor to the top of the toilet seat). StallsĪDA compliant urinals should be stall-type or wall-hung at a maximum of 17 inches from the floor. Users shouldn’t have to exert more than 5 pounds of force to use the faucet to meet ADA requirements. They should be usable with one hand without the need to tightly grasp, pinch, or twist the wrist. You also need a clear floor space and insulated pipes under the sink.įaucets should be lever-operated, push, touch, or electronically controlled. To meet ADA guidelines, sinks shouldn’t be mounted higher than 34 inches from the floor, and they should have a knee clearance of 27 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 11 to 25 inches deep. George Spear, product manager at Moen, offers this information about sinks, stalls and doors: Sinks & Faucets This single-user restroom has been designed according to the ADAAG. 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 (the door cannot swing into the minimum required area for wheelchair-accessible toilet compartments).įor multi-user restrooms, the ADA compliance guidelines follow the same principles, but include additional elements.The center line of the toilet must be between 16 and 18 inches from the side wall.The measurement starts from the point where a person has 9-inch vertical clearance for their feet and 27-inch vertical clearance for their knees. 30-inch by 48-inch access to the sink (the door can’t swing into this rectangle). To assess your building’s restrooms for ADA compliance, “Grab a tape measure and conduct a walkthrough to evaluate any changes that might need to be made,” says Villwock.Īccording to the 2010 update to ADAAG, the basic ADA guidelines for a single-user restroom are: “The most basic and least expensive way to determine if a restroom is accessible is to review the American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the American National Standards Institute’s standard (ICC/ANSI A117.1),” says Jon Villwock (pictured at right), lavatory systems and washfountains product manager at Bradley Corp. Restrooms can lead to serious confusion when it comes to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, ADA compliance and universal design.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |