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.

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.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBLE AND STANDARD HEIGHTS OF COAT HOOKS IN TOILET ROOMS

Coat hooks are not required in accessible toilet rooms or stalls; however, where they are provided code requires that at least one must comply. If a second one is provided, it is not required to be accessible. Also, coat hooks placed in non-accessible stalls are not required to be at an accessible height.

The code states that coat hooks must be located within one of the reach ranges of 48" (1220 mm) maximum & 15" (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor. Accessible coat hooks are usually placed at 44" (1115 mm) measured to the center line of the unit. While it is acceptable to place them lower, it would be difficult to reach them and jackets or other clothing that are hung could drag against the floor.

The non-accessible standard height of a coat hook is usually based on the average adult human size. Based on standard human dimensions of shoulder to eye height coat hooks should be placed at 60" (1520 mm) to 66" (1680 mm). A standard height coat hook is not required or specified by the accessibility standards.

 

Accessible & Standard Height Coat Hooks