Accessible Urinals
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. The ADA Standards for accessible design and the California Building Code (CBC) provide specific requirements for accessible elements within the built environment to meet that mandate. For example, parking, ramps, elevators, drinking fountains, signs, toilets and even urinals have minimum accessibility standards that must be met.
Every public restroom is required to provide at least one accessible toilet, so you may be asking yourself one or more of the following three questions:
Why would an accessible urinal be required in addition to an accessible toilet (If provided)?
The answer to that question is simple; At least a portion of all architectural elements such as restroom fixtures must be accessible to people with disabilities. If urinals are provided, then at least one accessible urinal is required.
Who is served by an accessible urinal?
Not everyone can use a urinal that is mounted greater than 17” above the floor. However, low mounted urinals are very inclusive because they can be used by a wide range of people including: people of short stature, children and even people of tall stature.
What makes a urinal accessible?
Clear Floor Space: An accessible urinal must have a clear floor space of at least 30 inches by 48 inches, which allows a person in a wheelchair to approach and use the urinal. The clear floor space must be level (2% maximum slope) and free of changes in elevation.
Note - If the accessible urinal is confined within an alcove, additional clearance may be required.
Height: The rim of the urinal must be no more than 17 inches above the finished floor.
Depth: Urinals shall be 13½ inches deep minimum measured from the outer face of the urinal rim to the back of the fixture.
Flush Controls: Flush controls must be operable with one hand, without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. In California, The flush controls shall be mounted no higher than 44 inches above the finished floor surface.
These are some of the main requirements for accessible urinals. It is important to note that there may be other requirements depending on the location, use and alteration history of a particular project. It is always best to consult with a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) to determine the requirements that apply to your particular facility.
