Side Grab bars

 The ADA and other Standards require a minimum distances for the side wall grab bar to be mounted in order for a person who uses a wheelchair can transfer on and off the water closet.  The minimum distance is 54" measured from the rear wall.

In my inspections and assessments I find that the figure is misunderstood and therefore the minimum distance is often not maintained.  The figure shows a 12" maximum from the rear wall.  A person installing the grab bar may get confused and assume they can mount it within that 12" and still be acceptable.  But they forget to red the 54" min.  So I typically see side wall grab bars mounted at 48" from the rear wall or even less.

 There are several dimensions that must be maintained in order to achieve a proper knee  and toe clearance at a sink.  The 2010 ADA Standards do a better job of graphically explaining those dimensions

But many times the dimensions are still not maintained and we don't always have the proper minimum distances to achieve a knee clearance.  In the photo below we don't have the horizontal 8" required at the 27" height, and therefore is not accessible

 At accessible water closets, the grab bars must not only be mounted at the proper location, but objects (such as toilet paper dispensers or even water closet tanks) should not be located too close to the grab bars.  The ADA shows you a minimum distance those objects can be placed in relation to the grab bar.

If they are mounted too close, the person using the toilet may not be able to properly grab the bar and will not be able to easily mount the toilet. 

 At a door's pull side approach, the ADA requires a minimum clearance of 18" in order to maneuver to open the door and get through the door.

Sometimes, objects such as sinks or dispensers are located too close to the door and the 18" minimum on the pull side is not maintained.