Why A Handicap Bathroom Dimension Matters
To accommodate wheelchairs and provide enough space for the chairs to be easily rotated, handicapped-accessible bathrooms have to be large in dimension. The Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, also dictates the configuration of the fixtures in the room so they are easily accessible by wheelchair-bound people.
Simple planning for a handicap bathroom dimension
Floor Space Guidelines
30 inches by 48 inches is the minimum required floor space for a handicapped-accessible bathroom dimension. Forward or parallel access to the bathroom equipment is required in the space, part of the area is able to have ro0m underneath the equipment as long as there is enough clearance for the knees and toes of the person in the wheelchair.
Turning Area Requirements
A space needed has to be a minimum of 60 inches in diameter for a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn. It is acceptable if in tight spaces, aisles with widths of 36 inches are able to accommodate a three-point wheelchair turn, and as long as the required knee-toe clearance is provided, space may include areas underneath fixtures.
Access Door Specifications
Handicapped-accessible bathroom dimensions, in addition to floor space obligations, must have doors wide enough for standard wheelchairs to pass through unimpeded. The door is required to be at least 32 inches wide and the bathroom has a straight entryway. However, a minimum 36-inch doorway is necessary if the bathroom is located off a hallway and the wheelchair has to turn to enter the room.
Required Sink Dimensions
The sink must be at an appropriate level for handicapped access and operation, in addition to providing adequate space for easy access, ingress, and movement inside the bathroom. Sinks must extend outward from the wall by a minimum of 17 inches and have open space underneath with a minimum 29-inch clearance from the apron bottom to the floor.
For the wheelchair to fit underneath from a straightforward approach, the required floor space clearance has to be 30 inches wide and 48 inches. For easy access to hand washing, the sink should be no more than 34 inches high and have no more than 2 inches of counter space between the front edge of the cabinet edge and the bowl of the sink.
Toilet and Urinal Requirements
The urinals must be no more than 17 inches high and toilet seats must be between 17 and 19 inches off the floor. The flush handle on both fixtures must be located on the most accessible side of the unit and should be installed no higher than 44 inches from the floor.
If the units are enclosed by cubicles, the stalls must be deep enough for fixture access from the front or sides and have to be a minimum of 60 inches wide. On both sides of the toilet or urinal, safety grab bars or comparable supports are a necessity.
