Ensuring your restrooms meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards is essential for creating accessible and inclusive public spaces. ADA compliant restrooms not only meet legal requirements but also provide a safer and more convenient environment for all users. This article will explore key aspects of ADA compliance, from general requirements to specific dimensions and layouts.

Do All Restrooms Have to Be ADA Compliant?

Not all restrooms are required to be ADA compliant, but many public and commercial facilities must meet ADA standards to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The specifics can depend on several factors, including the building's age, its intended use, and local regulations. Here’s a general breakdown:

1. 1. New Construction and Renovations: Any new construction or major renovation of a public or commercial space is typically required to include ADA-compliant restrooms. This includes proper dimensions for stalls, accessible sinks and counters, grab bars, and door maneuvering clearances.
2. 2. Existing Facilities: For existing facilities not undergoing significant renovations, the requirement to retrofit to include ADA-compliant restrooms can vary. The ADA requires that barriers to accessibility be removed in public accommodations when it is "readily achievable," which means easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.
3. 3. Small Businesses and Private Clubs: Small businesses with fewer employees and certain private clubs may be exempt from some ADA requirements. However, if a small business serves the public, it is still required to remove accessibility barriers when it is readily achievable to do so.
4. 4. Historic Buildings: Facilities that are listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or are designated as historic under state or local law, may have modified requirements. Modifications or alterations that could threaten the building's historic significance are not required. However, these buildings still need to make their services accessible to the extent that it doesn’t compromise the historical integrity.

To ensure compliance, it's often recommended to consult with an expert who specializes in ADA guidelines and can provide advice specific to the circumstances of the facility in question.

Key ADA Compliant Restroom Requirements

Ensuring that a restroom is ADA compliant involves meeting several specific design and accessibility standards. Here are some of the key requirements for ADA-compliant restrooms:

1. 1. Doorways and Access: Restroom doors should be at least 32 inches wide when the door is open 90 degrees, and they must be operable with a single hand without requiring tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. Doors should not require more than 5 pounds of force to open.
2. 2. Turning Space: The restroom must have enough space for a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn. This typically requires a clear circle of at least 60 inches in diameter or a T-shaped space.
3. 3. Grab Bars for Toilet Compartments: ADA-compliant restrooms require grab bars next to and behind the toilet. These bars must be mounted between 33 and 36 inches above the floor. The grab bar mounted behind the toilet must be at least 36 inches long, and the grab bar on the side walls must be at least 42 inches long. ADA-compliant grab bars must have an Outside Diameter (O.D.) of between 1 ¼” and 2”. Almost all commercial grab bars have an OD of either 1 ¼ or 1 ½ inches. ADA compliant grab bars must be sturdy enough to support at least 250 lbs of weight. Most commercial grab bars, such as the ones sold at www.berls.com, support at least 500 lbs of weight.  
4. 4. Grab Bars in Showers:  ADA shower stalls are 36” by 36” and require a grab bar along the entire wall where the shower controls are located and along 18” of the sidewall. The grab bars must be close together or you can use an L-shaped grab bar instead. They must be 33 - 36 inches above the floor. Wheelchair roll-in showers are required at some hotels and are 60” x 30”. In that case, a U-shaped grab (normally custom-made) bar or three separate grab bars must be mounted.  
5. 5. Toilet Paper Dispensers: Toilet paper dispensers should be mounted below the side-wall grab bar at least 19” off the floor, but in no case higher than 48”. The center of the toilet tissue dispenser should be between 7 and 9 inches in front of the toilet. An ADA-compliant toilet paper dispenser must provide continuous paper flow and so cannot be a controlled-delivery toilet paper dispenser.  
6. 6. Sink and Countertop Height: Sinks and countertops should not be mounted higher than 34 inches from the floor, and there should be a clear space beneath the sink (at least 27 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 11 to 25 inches deep) to allow access for a wheelchair. Faucets should be operable with one hand and should not require tight grasping or twisting.
7. 7. Toilet Seat Height: The height of the toilet seat should be between 17 to 19 inches from the floor.
8. 8. Flush Controls: Flush controls must be on the open side of the toilet (not behind the toilet) and must be no higher than 44 inches from the floor. Controls should be operable with one hand without the need for tight grasping, pinching, or twisting.
9. 9. Floor Surface: The floor surface in ADA-compliant restrooms must be slip-resistant to prevent accidents.
10. 10. Mirrors: If a mirror is provided, the bottom edge of the reflecting surface should not be higher than 40 inches above the floor, and the top edge should be at a height that provides a view to a person in a wheelchair.
11. 11. Dispensers and Accessories: Items such as paper towel dispensers, hand dryers, and soap dispensers should not be mounted higher than 40 inches above the floor and should be operable with one hand.

These requirements are designed to ensure that restrooms are accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities. Compliance with these standards is crucial for public and commercial buildings to provide equitable access and to comply with legal obligations.

ADA Compliant Bathroom Fixtures

Ensuring ADA compliance extends to various amenities within a restroom, including changing tables, hand dryers, paper towel dispensers, and shower seats. Each of these fixtures must meet specific guidelines to accommodate individuals with disabilities effectively.

1. Changing Tables

ADA-compliant changing tables must be accessible, providing enough space for maneuverability with a wheelchair. They should be installed at a height that is comfortable for a standing adult, generally between 28 and 34 inches from the floor. The area around the changing table should also be clear to allow caregivers to assist without obstruction. Importantly, safety straps should be easy to use with one hand.

2. Hand Dryers

For hand dryers to be ADA compliant, they must be positioned at a height that is accessible from a wheelchair. The operable parts should be no higher than 40 inches from the floor, and users should be able to operate the device with one hand, without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. Adequate space must be provided around the hand dryer to allow wheelchair users to approach and use the device comfortably.  An ADA-compliant hand dryer must protrude less than 4 inches from the wall if it is in a passageway. This is so that a blind person, or one with a seeing disability using a walking stick does not bump into it if walking by. Hand dryers that are close to the ground, such as hands-in hand dryers, do not need to be 4” from the wall since the walking stick should detect the bottom of the dryer.  

3. Paper Towel Dispensers

Like hand dryers, paper towel dispensers should be installed within a reachable range, typically with the operable components no higher than 40 inches from the floor. Controls must be operable with one hand and should not require tight grasping or twisting. The design should allow someone in a wheelchair to reach and retrieve paper towels without assistance.

4. Shower Seats

Shower seats in ADA-compliant bathrooms should be sturdy, slip-resistant, and positioned at a height of 17 to 19 inches from the floor. They need to be mounted securely to the wall and designed to accommodate up to 250 pounds or more. The seat should fold up and not obstruct the shower space when not in use. Additionally, the seat should extend the full depth of the shower, at least 15 inches (but no more than 23”) deep, and 23 inches wide, to provide adequate seating space. The shower seat should be on the opposite wall from the controls.

Each of these features plays a critical role in making restrooms accessible and safe for all users, including those with limited mobility or other disabilities. Ensuring that these fixtures meet ADA standards not only supports compliance with regulations but also promotes a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.

Employee Restrooms: What to Know

Do employee restrooms need to be ADA compliant? The answer is yes. Employee restrooms must meet the same ADA compliance standards as public restrooms. This includes providing accessible stalls, sinks, and other fixtures. Employers are responsible for ensuring that all restrooms within the workplace are accessible to employees with disabilities. ADA compliance for restrooms in the workplace promotes a safe and inclusive environment for all employees.

How Berl's Can Help

At Berl's, we offer a range of products to help buildings and businesses comply with ADA guidelines. Our selection includes grab bars, partitions, and other bathroom accessories designed to meet ADA bathroom standards. These products are essential for creating wheelchair accessible restrooms that provide safety and convenience for all users. Whether you are retrofitting an existing restroom or designing a new one, Berl's has the solutions you need to ensure ADA compliance.

Adhering to ADA compliant restroom guidelines is crucial for creating accessible and inclusive public spaces. Understanding and implementing the necessary requirements, dimensions, and size specifications will ensure that your restrooms meet federal standards. Berl's is here to support you with a wide range of ADA compliant products that enhance the safety and accessibility of your restrooms. Shop with us today to ensure your facility meets all ADA compliance requirements.