by Kleo King

Even the best plans can be executed incorrectly. We are often called on to do site reviews of restrooms after the owner has received a complaint from a person with a disability. If the site has been newly renovated or constructed, the owner is shocked that there are issues with access.

The first question we are asked, did my architect design the bathroom incorrectly? More often than not, the answer is the plans are drawn in accordance with the code provision. What happens is that during construction some elements were not built according to the plans. The common errors are placement of the toilet, placement of grab bars, and height of the reflecting surface of the mirror.

Toilet Placement

Currently, ADAAG requires that the center line of the toilet be 18 inches from the side wall. ICC/A 117.1 and the Revised ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines provide that the centerline can be 16 to 18 inches. Thus conflicting standards add to the confusion. However, mistakes we see are outside the 16 to 18 inches. For example, if the toilet is placed with the centerline more than 18 inches from the side wall, a person who needs to use the grab bars is hindered from safely transferring onto the toilet.

Toilet centerline is 24 inches from side wall

Grab Bars

We usually find the correct size of grab bar (42 inches minimum for side wall and 36 inches minimum for rear wall). It is the placement that is incorrect. Often the 42 inch side grab bar is too close to the back wall so that the grab bar does not extend the required 54 inches from the rear wall.

Rear Grab bar placement	Side Grab bar placement

Mirror

The bottom edge of the mirror’s reflecting surface cannot exceed 40 inches above the finished floor. Often the problem is that the mirror is mounted so the bottom edge of the mirror is 40 inches above the finished floor and if the mirror has a frame then the bottom edge of the reflecting surface is more than 40 inches above the finished floor. The discrepancy is the width of the frame.

How can these problems be fixed? Relocate the toilet, grab bars, and mirror so they comply with the requirements. Examples of other fixes may include adding a partition to create the correct dimension from the side wall for a toilet that is more than 18 inches from the side partition and rather than relocating the mirror above the lavatory, place a full length mirror in close proximity to the lavatory.

If you have questions about designing bathrooms in either residential or commercial applications, please contact us.