The Americans with Disabilities Act sets the safety and accessibility requirements for newly made bathrooms. ADA compliant requirements cover installation, safety and access specs. This is to help those with disabilities or mobility issues. Though smaller elements of a bathroom, bathroom accessories are still needed to comply with ADA regulations. Therefore, it is crucial to note that each bathroom item will have different requirements.
Here are some of the most important ADA compliant bathroom accessory questions answered:
Q: Are bathroom accessories really that important in regards to ADA compliance?
A: Bathroom accessories are very important to the access and comfort of a bathroom. They provide more service to bathroom projects. In other words, bathroom accessories are needed to keep an ADA compliant bathroom as clean and healthy as any other bathroom would be. However, they still need to provide access to those using it. For example, an ADA soap dispenser should be universal in terms of how they are operated. It should also be mounted at a height of 44 inches from the ground. This is in line with standard ADA regulations and provides needed access. This same line of thinking applies to other items as well. Each one will have different measurements.
Q: Which bathroom accessories are required in ADA compliant bathrooms?
A: Like a common master bathroom, you will need the basic bathroom accessories that help a bathroom function in a healthy manner. This will include bathroom accessories such as toilet paper holders, towel bars, soap dishes, soap dispensers and other common items. However, there are some bathroom items that are much more important for ADA compliant bathrooms. For example, grab bars serve a needed function in shower, bathtubs and toilet areas especially. However, they can be used in any area of the space. Shower baskets are also great for the safety of a shower area. They help keep each item secure and safe. They keep them off the floor as well. In addition, some public bathrooms may have hand towel dispensers, waste bins, air hand dryers, clean napkins, child seats and baby changing stations.
Q: Does every bathroom require ADA compliant bathroom accessories?
A: Although not every bathroom will be used by those with a mobility issue or disability, some bathroom accessories should be mounted in compliance with ADA regulations anyway. Grab bars are always helpful in a bathroom, providing a great upgrade in safety to any area of your design. Toilet areas and bathtubs benefit well from grab bars, and they can be placed in other areas of your bathroom as well. If your bathroom is not being used by anyone who requires ADA compliant items, you have a bit more choice as to where you can place your bathroom accessories. Therefore, commercial bathrooms will need you to follow ADA compliant regulations for the safety of the users.
Q: Which accessories do not need to follow ADA compliant regulations?
A: Most wall mounted or fixed bathroom accessories must follow ADA compliant regulations if being used in a bathroom that needs to follow ADA compliance. This includes soap dispensers, grab bars, shower baskets and other similar items. Less important bathroom items in terms of safety can be a bit more free in terms of placement, depending on what is most comfortable. This can be an item such as a soap dish or tumbler placed on a bathroom vanity. This is usually the choice of users in home bathrooms. Therefore, public bathrooms must follow all ADA compliant regulations.
ADA compliant mounting measurements for each bathroom accessory:
- Toilet Paper Holders - Should be mounted between 7 and 9 inches in front of the toilet on the side wall. It should be mounted between 13 and 48 inches from the ground and not placed behind a grab bar for safety reasons.
- Soap Dispensers - Should not exceed 48 inches in height if mounted on the wall, and if the sink is no deeper than 20 inches. If the counter or sink is 20 to 25 inches, the soap dispenser should be no higher than 44 inches from the floor. Must be able to be used with one hand.
- Grab Bars - Grab bars should be mounted between 33 and 36 inches from the floor to provide the most access. Depending on the area, the mounting specs of a grab bar will vary. Check out our article on the specific specs of how to mount a grab bar in each area of your bathroom.
- Towel Bars, Towel Hooks and Towel Rings - Should be mounted 48 inches from the ground.
- Hand Towel Dispenser - Must be accessed from 15 to 48 inches from the ground.
- Air Hand Dryers - Must be between 38 to 48 inches from the floor. Also, they must be able to be used with one hand.
It is crucial that each ADA compliant bathroom accessory is measured and installed appropriately and in accordance with all rules and regulations. If not, accidents or injuries are strong possibilities. ADA compliant bathroom accessories are critical pieces of many commercial bathrooms, but residential bathrooms as well, depending on specific cases. Luckily, the process is not too intensive, but the measurements and locations are incredibly important for the accessibility of those using said bathroom accessories.
With that being said, the entire process should be planned out ahead of time in order to ensure each ADA compliant bathroom accessory will be able to fit well and accommodate those who need it. Whether it is something small like a toilet paper holder, or something a bit more significant like a grab bar and other handicapped shower accessories, these ADA compliant bathroom accessories are necessary for the comfort and functionality of a bathroom design as a whole.
In general, ADA compliant bathrooms are set up in a way to promote safety, comfort and accessibility above all else. By properly following and abiding by the guidelines provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the bathroom accessories installed in the space will ensure an expertly designed bathroom is the result. The fact of the matter is that this specific type of bathroom is overlooked by most individuals, simply because it isn’t something that typically comes up in everyday life. However, for those who require these types of bathroom accessories to be installed properly, the importance can not be overstated.