December 2011 Abadi Accessibility News: Advice on accessible water closets

In This Issue

Volume VI Number 12 December 2011

The ADA includes advisory items in their guidelines. These are just recommendations and are not part of the enforcable regulations. Some of them are useful to understand the reason behind the rules themselves.

The Standards also has exceptions. These are able to be used any time the situation meets certain requirements that would make it difficult to follow the requirements as written.

Lids at flush valve toilets

The flush controls are required to be located on the open side of the water closet per section 604.6 of the ADA Standards.

But many times, the flush control is found close to the wall, or even on the top of a tank.

top

open side

If this happens, a person in a wheelchair using the water closet would have to lean or reach behind them in order to flush. This could cause imbalance or injury. The advisory 604.6 advices that if there is a flush control mounted on the wrong side or even directly behind the toilet, and with the approval of the local authority having jurisdiction, then a toilet seat could be provided. A toilet seat could allow a person with disabilities to have some back support if they have to lean back to flush.

Rear grab bars

The rear wall grab bar is required to be 36" long and extend from the centerline of the water closet 12" on one side and 24" on the other.

But what happens when a pipe is in the way?

no gb

Section 604.5.2 Exception 2 states that if an administrative authority requires that the flush control be located where it will be in the way of the rear grab bar, then the grab bars can be split or shifted to the open side of the toilet area.

shifted

This grab bar was allowed to be shifted to the open side due to the location of the flush controls

split

This grab bar was split to accommodate the pipe that was in the way.

What's next....

The Architecture Happy Hour,HPD Architecture LLC and Abadi Accessibility are joining forces to present a networking and educational event at IKEA Dallas in Frisco, Texas.

How Accessible is Your Work Space?

Registered Accessibility Specialist, Marcela Abadi Rhoads, AIA will share tips on how to make the office common areasand work areas (at home or work)more accessible with easy modifications. Learn how you can better serve your clients by creating a space that is easier to work in and can change along with their needs. Marcela will show us examples of IKEA fixtures and furniture that are easily adaptable.

Enjoy acomplimentary breakfast while learning about what's new in design, furnishings, and business opportunities from Elaine Vale with IKEA BUSINESS, and each other.

This special event is perfect for architects, interior designers, office managers, business owners, educators, students and guests. Everyone will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and their company.

FREE giveaway drawing from those in attendance!

Where:

IKEA Dallas
7171 IKEA Dr
Frisco TX 75034
(972) 712-5591

Schedule:

8:00 am   Registration and FREE breakfast, provided by IKEA
8:30 am   Introductions and program by Marcela Abadi Rhoads, AIA
9:30 am   Exclusive private access to the IKEA Showroom. There will be staff available to help get your questions answered.

Cost: FREE

Remember that March 15, 2011 is when the new Standards became effective in the Federal level. They will be mandatory on March 15, 2012. And each State will adopt it or not, at their discretion.

If you want to learn more about the new Standards, The ADA Companion Guide has the 2004 Guidelines with commentary and explanations throughout.

Online course by the AIA National : The ADA and Urban Regeneration (as presented in the 2011 AIA National convention)

If you have any questions about these or any other topics, please feel free to contact me anytime.

Marcela Abadi Rhoads, RAS #240
Abadi Accessibility

214. 403.8714

marhoads@abadiaccess.com