The Americans with Disabilities Act, or the ADA, is a federal civil
rights law that has numerous implications for ADA
Restroom Partitions. This act
was written with the goal of providing every person in the USA equal access
to restroom services and facilities. It applies to all people but its primary
purpose was to aid those with physical disabilities and in wheelchairs. The act is long, specific, and some
would say, a bit confusing.
Regardless, it is now part of our lives and deeply ingrained in the
restroom construction industry. In
addition, building managers and staff, as well as architects, designers, and
construction workers, must be aware of and in compliance with the many
regulations.
Why is it
so important that public restrooms and ADA
Restroom Partitions comply with the ADA regulations?
Because it is considered / defined as discrimination if a person is
unable to access restroom services because of a lack of space or some form of a
barrier exists. The implications
are enormous for those who are designing new restrooms or remodeling old
restrooms. They should be fully
aware of the ADA
regulations and how it will impact their work. It should be noted that the
ADA applies to
public restrooms and that private restrooms, private clubs, and religious
entities are exempt.
The
original ADA
detailed design specifications were originally known as ADA Accessibility
Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG).
These specifications included requirements for ADA Restroom
Partitions. These specifications
were later amended and adopted by the United States Department of Justice in
order to make the ADAAG legally enforceable. They are now known as the ADA Standards
for Accessible Design (the Standards).
Although “the Standards” are not technically a building code, they apply
to most buildings throughout the United
States regardless of state or local building
codes.
The
planning process for new restroom construction usually begins with ADA Restroom
Partitions. Most new restroom
construction usually mixes disabled facilities with standard use
facilities. Therefore it is
mandatory for designers to understand the space, height, movement / turning, and
other requirements.
ADA
Restroom Partitions and new restroom construction must have sufficient
clear floor space for the disabled in wheelchairs.
The minimum space requirement to accommodate a single wheelchair is 30"
by 48" clear floor space. Obviously, more room is desirable to offer easier
movement and to avoid scratches, dents, and damage to restroom fixtures. Some of the required clear floor space
can be underneath, sinks, lavatories or other fixtures as long as the required
knee and toe clearance requirements are met.
The
mounting heights of fixtures throughout the restroom, including fixtures mounted
on ADA Restroom Partitions, must comply with the regulations. This would include
handrails, grab
bars, paper
dispensers, toilet locks, and electric
dryers. Side reach
requirements for handrails inside partitions are 38" to 54" above the
floor. Forward reach, if
necessary, is no more that 48” above the floor.
ADA Restroom Partitions and new restroom construction
must also have sufficient turning space for wheelchairs.
Considerable care and thought should be given to this requirement because
it is so difficult to change at a later date. It is suggested that
60
inches in diameter is the minimum adequate turning
space. The clear space inside the
restroom partitions should be at least 60
inches by 60
inches to allow for adequate movement and
turning.
ADA Restroom Partitions and new restroom construction
must plan for entry and exit doors.
The most common configuration, single entry doors, should be at least
32
inches in width to allow comfortable use by a
wheelchair.
There are significant penalties for those whose are determined to
have not met the ADA guidelines and discriminated.
Civil actions can be filed against offenders and they are subject to a
fine not exceeding $50,000 for a first violation.
The fine can be as high as $100,000 for any subsequent
violation.
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