ADA Restroom Partitions

mericans with Disabilities Act, or the ADA, is a federalmandatory for designers to understand the space,
civil rights law that has numerous implications for ADAheight, movement / turning, and other requirements.
Restroom Partitions. This act was written with theADA Restroom Partitions and new restroom
goal of providing every person in the USA equalconstruction must have sufficient clear floor space
access to restroom services and facilities. It appliesfor the disabled in wheelchairs. The minimum space
to all people but its primary purpose was to aid thoserequirement to accommodate a single wheelchair is
with physical disabilities and in wheelchairs. The act is30" by 48" clear floor space. Obviously, more room is
long, specific, and some would say, a bit confusing.desirable to offer easier movement and to avoid
Regardless, it is now part of our lives and deeplyscratches, dents, and damage to restroom fixtures.
ingrained in the restroom construction industry. InSome of the required clear floor space can be
addition, building managers and staff, as well asunderneath, sinks, lavatories or other fixtures as long
architects, designers, and construction workers, mustas the required knee and toe clearance requirements
be aware of and in compliance with the manyare met.
regulations.The mounting heights of fixtures throughout the
Why is it so important that public restrooms andrestroom, including fixtures mounted on ADA
ADA Restroom Partitions comply with the ADARestroom Partitions, must comply with the
regulations? Because it is considered / defined asregulations. This would include handrails, grab bars,
discrimination if a person is unable to access restroompaper dispensers, toilet locks, and electric dryers. Side
services because of a lack of space or some formreach requirements for handrails inside partitions are
of a barrier exists. The implications are enormous for38" to 54" above the floor. Forward reach, if
those who are designing new restrooms ornecessary, is no more that 48” above the
remodeling old restrooms. They should be fully awarefloor.
of the ADA regulations and how it will impact theirADA Restroom Partitions and new restroom
work. It should be noted that the ADA applies toconstruction must also have sufficient turning space
public restrooms and that private restrooms, privatefor wheelchairs. Considerable care and thought should
clubs, and religious entities are exempt.be given to this requirement because it is so difficult
The original ADA detailed design specifications wereto change at a later date. It is suggested that 60
originally known as ADA Accessibility Guidelines forinches in diameter is the minimum adequate turning
Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG). These specificationsspace. The clear space inside the restroom partitions
included requirements for ADA Restroom Partitions.should be at least 60 inches by 60 inches to allow for
These specifications were later amended andadequate movement and turning.
adopted by the United States Department of JusticeADA Restroom Partitions and new restroom
in order to make the ADAAG legally enforceable.construction must plan for entry and exit doors. The
They are now known as the ADA Standards formost common configuration, single entry doors,
Accessible Design (the Standards). Althoughshould be at least 32 inches in width to allow
“the Standards” are not technically acomfortable use by a wheelchair.
building code, they apply to most buildings throughoutThere are significant penalties for those whose are
the United States regardless of state or local buildingdetermined to have not met the ADA guidelines and
codes.discriminated. Civil actions can be filed against
The planning process for new restroom constructionoffenders and they are subject to a fine not
usually begins with ADA Restroom Partitions. Mostexceeding $50,000 for a first violation. The fine can
new restroom construction usually mixes disabledbe as high as $100,000 for any subsequent violation.
facilities with standard use facilities. Therefore it is