What's Wrong with This Photo - Toilet Transfer Clearance - 5/23/21
Toilet Clearance Space Compromised by Furniture
Please look at the photo on the right. This is a toilet room in a restaurant with a piece of furniture placed to store the paper towels. The room was actually quite spacious with plenty of room for a turnaround space. So what’s wrong?
HINT: How would someone in a wheelchair get to the toilet?
2010 ADA Standard 604.3.1, [Water Closets and Toilet Compartments, Clearance] Size, states, “Clearance around a water closet [toilet] shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the side wall and 56 inches (1420 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the rear wall.” The graphic below is representative of this Standard.
Toilet Transfer Clearance Space
2010 ADA Standard 604.3.2, [Water Closets and Toilet Compartments, Clearance] Overlap, states, “The required clearance around the water closet [toilet] shall be permitted to overlap the water closet, associated grab bars, dispensers, sanitary napkin disposal units, coat hooks, shelves, accessible routes, clear floor space and clearances required at other fixtures, and the turning space. No other fixtures or obstructions shall be located within the required water closet clearance.” The graphic below is representative of the purpose for these Standards, where an individual is maneuvering to use the toilet.
Individual Maneuvering to Use a Toilet
ANSWER: The furniture in the photo above violates these two ADA Standards. Even though this may look charming, the clearance for the toilet transfer space has been compromised and the furniture should be removed. The paper towels will have to be stored somewhere else.
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