Accessible Toilet Compartments (Stalls) as Defined by the ADA
Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartment
Wheelchair accessible toilet compartments (stalls) in Title II and Title III facilities are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The sections of the 2010 ADA Standards that cover requirements for toilet compartments/stalls include 213.3.1 and 604.8. This article will discuss the ADA scoping and technical requirements for accessible toilet compartment (stall) installations in State and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities. The graphic on the right is representative of an accessible toilet compartment. The term stall can be substituted for compartment.
Scoping Requirements
2010 ADA Standard 213.3.1, [Toilet Rooms] Toilet Compartments, states, “Where toilet compartments are provided, at least one toilet compartment shall comply with [Standard] 604.8.1. In addition to the compartment required to comply with [Standard] 604.8.1, at least one compartment shall comply with [Standard] 604.8.2 where six or more toilet compartments are provided, or where the combination of urinals and water closets totals six or more fixtures.”
Standard 604.8.1 covers wheelchair accessible compartments and Standard 604.8.2 covers ambulatory accessible compartments.
2010 ADA Standard Advisory 213.3.1, Toilet Compartments, states, “A toilet compartment is a partitioned space that is located within a toilet room, and that normally contains no more than one water closet. A toilet compartment may also contain a lavatory. A lavatory is a sink provided for hand washing. Full-height partitions and door assemblies can comprise toilet compartments where the minimum required spaces are provided within the compartment.” The graphic below is representative of a stall with a sink inside the partitions.
Accessible Toilet Stall with Sink Included
Notice in the graphic above that the clear space for the sink can overlap the clearance required for the toilet, but not the sink or the door swing arc.
Technical Requirements - Size
2010 ADA Standard 604.8.1.1, [Wheelchair Accessible Toilet Compartments] Size, states, “Wheelchair accessible compartments [for adults] shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 56 inches (1420 mm) deep minimum for wall hung water closets and 59 inches (1500 mm) deep minimum for floor mounted water closets measured perpendicular to the rear wall. Wheelchair accessible compartments for children’s use shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 59 inches (1500 mm) deep minimum for wall hung and floor mounted water closets measured perpendicular to the rear wall.” The graphic below is representative of this Standard.
Toilet Stall Size Limits
The minimum space [shown above] required in toilet compartments is provided so that a person using a wheelchair can maneuver into position at the water closet. This space cannot be obstructed by baby changing tables or other fixtures or conveniences, except as specified at 2010 ADA Standard 604.3.2 (Overlap). If toilet compartments are to be used to house fixtures other than those associated with the water closet, they must be designed to exceed the minimum space requirements.
Stall Doors
2010 ADA Standard 604.8.1.2, [Toilet Compartment] Doors, states, “Toilet compartment doors, including door hardware, shall comply with [Standard] 404 except that if the approach is to the latch side of the compartment door, clearance between the door side of the compartment and any obstruction shall be 42 inches (1065 mm) minimum. Doors 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 (100 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the side wall or partition, the door opening shall be 4 inches (100 mm) maximum from the front partition. The door shall be self-closing. A door pull complying with [Standard] 404.2.7 shall be placed on both sides of the door near the latch. Toilet compartment doors shall not swing into the minimum required compartment area.”
The most common approaches to a toilet stall door is a forward approach or an approach to the latch side of the door. The graphic below is representative of a forward approach to a stall door that pulls to open.
In the graphic above the door maneuvering space required is 60 inches deep and the width of the door plus 18 inches on the latch side. Commonly the door is 32 inches wide.
The graphic below is representative of the door maneuvering space required for an approach to the latch side of the stall door.
Door Maneuvering Clearance for Approach to Latch Side
Door maneuvering space is required also to exit the stall. Similar door maneuvering space requirements will exist for exiting the stall.
Compartment doors in either the front or the side partition must be offset from the water closet [toilet] so that there is space to enter the compartment. The 4 inch maximum space from the corner to the door opening ensures this offset. The graphic below is representative.
Toilet Stall Door Offset from Toilet
Toilet Stall Door Handles on Both Sides
The toilet stall door should have a door pull on both sides of the door that is usable with one hand and does not require tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, or more than 5 pounds of force to operate. A common compliant design found is shown on the right.
Stall doors should close automatically when released in the open position. Gravity or spring hinges are typically used. The minimum closing time for spring hinges is 1.5 seconds measured from a 70° open position to the closed position. It is important that the doors not close to quickly to allow individuals in a wheelchair to release the door in the open position and maneuvering through the door opening before the door closes on them and possibly traps them in the door opening.
Most stall doors open out from the stall but some installations allow the stall door to open in. Toilet compartment doors that open into the stall are not allowed to swing into the minimum required compartment area. The graphic below is representative.
Toilet Stall Door Opening Into the Stall
End-of-Row Toilet Compartment
In multi-user toilet rooms, wheelchair accessible toilet compartments located at the end of the row can provide more room by incorporating dead-end aisle space. The door can swing in if it clears the minimum compartment area. The compartment door can be located in the side partition that is closer to the water closet when the door opening is beyond the minimum depth of the compartment area. The graphic below is representative.
End of Row Toilet Compartment
Ambulatory Toilet Compartment
Ambulatory Toilet Compartments
Under certain circumstances accessible ambulatory [standing] toilet compartments are required in multi-user toilet rooms. Standard 604.8.2 covers ambulatory accessible compartments. Ambulatory accessible toilet compartments benefit people who use crutches, canes, walkers and similar devices or who need support in sitting or standing. They do not accommodate wheelchairs or scooters. Ambulatory accessible toilet compartments are required in addition to the wheelchair accessible compartment in multi-user toilet rooms with six or more toilet compartments or, where the combined total of toilets and urinals is six or more. Ambulatory accessible toilet compartments provide parallel grab bars on both side walls that are sized so that both grab bars are within reach. These grab bars must meet specifications for size, location, and securement. The graphic above is representative of an ambulatory toilet compartment.
2010 ADA Standard 604.8.2.1, [Ambulatory Toilet Compartments] Size, states, “Ambulatory accessible compartments shall have a depth of 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum and a width of 35 inches (890 mm) minimum and 37 inches (940 mm) maximum.”
2010 ADA Standard 604.8.2.2, [Ambulatory Toilet Compartments] Doors, states, “Toilet compartment doors, including door hardware, shall comply with [Standard] 404, except that if the approach is to the latch side of the compartment door, clearance between the door side of the compartment and any obstruction shall be 42 inches (1065 mm) minimum. The door shall be self-closing. A door pull complying with [Standard] 404.2.7 shall be placed on both sides of the door near the latch. Toilet compartment doors shall not swing into the minimum required compartment area.”
2010 ADA Standard 604.8.2.3, [Ambulatory Toilet Compartments] Grab Bars, states, “Grab bars shall comply with [Standard] 609. A side-wall grab bar complying with [Standard] 604.5.1 shall be provided on both sides of the compartment.” The graphic below is representative of these Standards.
Ambulatory Toilet Stall Plan View
Note that in an accessible ambulatory toilet stall the toilet is centered in the space 17-19 inches from the side walls and the toilet flush handle can be on either side of the toilet. Also, door maneuvering clearances are not broken out for these installations because they are not intended for wheelchairs.
SUMMARY
Toilet rooms that have toilet compartments/stalls must have at least one accessible stall. Accessible toilet stalls have significant requirements for spacing at elements and door maneuvering space. Discrepancies for ADA compliance in toilet compartments is a common source of legal disputes.
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