REQUIREMENTS FOR VERTICAL GRAB BARS IN TOILET ROOMS

Grab bars are required in accessible toilet rooms. The ADA Standards require horizontal grab bars on the rear wall and side wall of the water closet, but it does not specify a vertical grab bar. However, you will often see them while in a toilet room or in the accessible stall. 

The vertical grab bar is only specified in the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. It is another accessibility code standard. The ICC is the same organization that puts out the International Building Code or IBC. The IBC makes reference to the ICC/ANSI A117.1 and some cities will use it while performing their plan review prior to issuing a permit for construction. While it does follow the Department of Justice's 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, there are some differences. One of the the most common one is the vertical grab bar. 

Some architects/designers will specify the vertical grab bar on their drawings just to ensure that it is not a comment from the city. Also, it is very helpful for people with disabilities and it is not an expensive addition to the overall budget of the project. Since it is not referenced in the ADA Standards or in the Texas Accessibility Standards, as a Registered Accessibility Specialist in the state of Texas, I cannot review it during the Plan Review process or during the required Inspection. However, the requirements are rather straight forward. Below are some examples and the requirements as stated in the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usuable Buildings and Facilities.

Vertical Grab Bar

Vertical Grab Bar

Vertical Grab Bar Requirements

• A vertical grab bar 18" (455 mm) minimum in length mounted along the side wall.

• Bottom of the bar located 39" (990 mm) minimum and 41" (1040 mm) maximum above the floor.

• Center line of the bar located 39" (990 mm) minimum and 41" (1040 mm) maximum from the rear wall.

DO'S AND DON'TS FOR ACCESSIBLE LAVATORIES IN TOILET ROOMS

During my obsessive behavior of photographing every toilet room I visit, I have accumulated enough images of toilet rooms to show the requirements of lavatories using real images. You should notice that every toilet room has at least one accessibility lavatory, which is required. Please refer to the Accessibility Standards for more information or contact us if you have any questions.

This lavatory is not installed 60" min from the wall adjacent to the water closet

This one does not provide the 30" wide clear floor space under the lavatory or the required knee and toe clearance

Here is a good example of the required clearances provided underneath the lavatory

Pedestal style lavs are best for residential homes since they do not provide the required clearances

The height of the lavatory must 34" max above the finish floor measured to the top of the bowl...

or to the top of the counter if the bowl is recessed

Exposed pipes must be insulated to protect against contact

A shroud may be used to conceal the pipes in lieu of insulating them

Use manual faucets that can be operated with an elbow or closed fist, or an automatic faucet.  A metering faucet must remain open for 10 seconds minimum.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF TOILET TISSUE DISPENSERS IN ACCESSIBLE TOILET ROOMS

One of the most common mistakes I find while doing inspections is the location of the toilet tissue dispenser. Below I have referenced the most common dispensers used in toilet rooms and the requirements for each.

Single Roll Dispensers

Double Roll Dispensers

Double Roll Stacked Dispensers

Accessibility Standards Requires

• The dispenser must be 7" min (180 mm) and 9" max (230 mm) in front of the water closet measured to the centerline of the dispenser.

• The height measured to the outlet of the dispenser must be 15" min (380 mm) and 48" max (1220 mm) above the finish floor.

• There is a construction tolerance built into the requirements. The accessibility standards requires when there is a min/max given that those dimensions must be met.

Single Roll Dispensers

• The single roll dispenser must be measured from the center of the roll to the leading edge of the water closet.

• The height must be measured from the finish floor to the bottom edge of a full roll of paper. Do not measure to the center of the spindle, that is not an outlet. Assume a toilet tissue roll is about 6" diameter, so give yourself a few inches from the center spindle. Some manufactures recommend 24" to the center of the spindle.

Double Roll Dispensers

• The double roll dispenser must be measured to the center of the unit, not the first or the last roll. There is usually a mark on the top of the unit that will show the center.

• The height must be measured to the dispenser outlet, which is usually at the bottom edge of the unit where the paper comes out. Also, most manufacturers recommend a dimension. Follow their recommendation, but make sure you meet the accessibility standards. I've seen some sites that reference the old standards.

Double Roll Stacked Dispensers

• The height must be measured to the bottom of the lowest roll and the top roll is 1 1/2" min (38 mm) below the grab bar.

• The manufacturers will recommend a height of these dispensers because they want to make sure you will be able to access the top seat cover dispenser. There are no requirements for the seat cover dispenser except that they must be within reach range.

Common Mistakes

Dispensers must be located in front of the water closet.

Movable dispensers are not allowed in accessible toilet rooms.

Dispensers are required to be mounted on the side wall.