Some jurisdictions have different requirements for wheelchair accessible toilet compartment size and configuration. It is strongly recommended to check with local codes. As an example, the California Building Code requires “a minimum 60 inches wide and 48 inches deep maneuvering space in front of the toilet.” Horizontal grab bars must be mounted on the rear wall and on the closest side wall or partition to the toilet. The ICC A117.1-2017 Standards require a vertical grab bar that is a minimum of 18 inches long be installed above the horizontal side grab bar.

The Large Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartment with side door access is a common end-of-the-restroom alcove layout. In-swing doors must not overlap the required 56 inches by 60 inches clear floor space at the toilet. This layout complies with the California Building Code because there is a maneuvering space minimum of 48 inches deep by 60 inches wide in front of the toilet.

The ICC A117.1-2017 Standards includes a new Alternate Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartment with 60 inches minimum width by 84 inches minimum depth.

The ambulatory accessible toilet compartment is used, in addition to a wheelchair accessible toilet compartment, where six or more fixtures, including toilets and urinals, are provided. However, there are exceptions to this rule. The 2010 State of Minnesota code requires an Ambulatory Accessible Compartment where there are two toilet compartments. The Ambulatory Accessible Toilet Compartment has a depth of 60 inches minimum. ADA Standards allow a range of 35 inches to 37 inches maximum width. In the ICC A117.1-2017 Standards, the width dimension is also 35 inches minimum to 37 inches maximum for existing and new buildings. Self-closing doors must not swing into the minimum required compartment area. Door pull hardware must be installed on both sides of the door near the latch. Horizontal grab bars must be provided on both sides of the toilet compartment. Additionally, the ICC A117.1-2017 Standards require a vertical grab bar, of 18 inches long at a minimum, be installed above the horizontal side grab bar on both sides of the toilet compartment.

Per the 2010 ADA Standards, toe clearance of 9 inches minimum above the finish floor is required for adults, and 12 inches minimum for children, under the front and one side of all wheelchair accessible compartments. The toe clearance must extend a minimum of 6 inches deep beyond one compartment-side and the front face of the toilet compartment, excluding supporting stiles or partitions. Toe clearance at the front is not required if the depth of the compartment is greater than 62 inches deep with a wall-hung toilet or 65 inches deep with a floor-mounted toilet. Toe clearance at the side is not required in a compartment greater than 66 inches wide.

In the ICC A117.1-2017 Standard, the toe clearance requirement is 12 inches high minimum for adults and children and must extend a minimum of 8 inches beyond the compartment front and on one side, exclusive of supporting stiles or partitions. Toe clearance at the front and the side is not required on compartments greater than 67 inches in depth and 68 inches in width. To avoid the need for toe clearance, increase the size of Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartment to 66 inches by 66 inches to comply with the 2010 ADA and ICC A117.1-2017 for Existing Buildings and to 68 inches by 68 inches to comply with ICC A117.1-2017.

Image courtesy of Bobrick Washroom Equipment

Photo courtesy of Bobrick Washroom Equipment

Toilets with lever controls and undercut bowls are recommended.

Compartment Door Requirements

Doors on all accessible toilet compartments must include door pull hardware and self-closers. There must be a clear width opening of 32 inches minimum with the door open 90 degrees. Out-swinging doors approached from the latch side must have an access aisle 42 inches wide minimum; other approaches require an access aisle up to 60 inches wide, at a minimum. It is recommended that all out-swinging doors should close completely, as a partially open door may encroach into the required maneuvering clearances and impede access.

Toilet Requirements

For compliance, toilets with undercut bowls are recommended. Flush controls such as levers must conform with standards for controls and operable parts and reach range requirements. In wheelchair accessible toilet compartments, flush controls must be located on the open side of the toilet.

The height of toilet seats above the finish floor must be 17 inches minimum to 19 inches maximum, measured to the top of the seat. Toilet seats cannot be sprung to return to a lifted or raised position.

Grab Bars

Grab bars with circular cross-sections must have an outside diameter of 1-1/4 inches minimum and 2 inches maximum and an absolute clearance of 1 ½ inches between the grab bar and wall or toilet partition panel. Non-circular profiles such as ovals and rounded rectangles are allowed. The maximum and minimum horizontal mounting heights of grab bars are set to the top of the gripping surface, not the grab bar centerline.

The horizontal sidewall grab bar next to an accessible toilet in a compartment must be a minimum of 42 inches long, located at 12 inches maximum from the rear wall, and extending 54 inches minimum. The 36-inch horizontal grab bar required to be mounted on the rear wall behind an accessible toilet must be located with a 24-inch minimum length required on the open side of the toilet centerline. The rear wall grab bar can be split to accommodate a high-rise flush valve; a 24-inch minimum length is required on the open side of toilet. The ICC A117.1-2017 Standards now require a vertical 18-inch-long minimum grab bar located 39 to 41 inches off the back wall, above the horizontal side grab bar. By using a 48-inch-long side wall grab bar, most installation compliance problems are eliminated.

Additional Toilet Accessories

Several accessories should be included in every toilet compartment. These include a toilet tissue dispenser, waste disposals, and toilet seat cover dispensers. All accessories must be located on a side wall or partition, nearest the toilet in accessible compartments, and just in front of the leading edge of the toilet to ensure universal access. Regardless of the location of dispenser outlets, no part of any accessory that projects from the wall or partition can be installed in a way that interferes with maneuvering space or access to grab bars. If mounted above grab bars, no part of a protruding accessory can extend closer than 12 inches to the top of the grab bar. The ICC A117.1-2017 Standard includes an Exception that allows recessed units behind grab bars with less than 1-1/2-inch absolute grab bar wall clearance as an alternative design to the 2010 ADA Standards.