ADA Stalls for Bathroom Design

ADA stalls are required in all new construction restrooms and remodeled restrooms. Federal regulations do not require existing bathroom designs to be arbitrarily retrofitted with special accessibility stalls.  It is only when renovations are done, or when new washrooms are built, that contractors are required to build these special toilet compartments.

There are two basic types of ADA compartments. The standard accessibility design is one that accommodates a wheelchair bound user.  It is also known as a wheelchair access stall.  This is a very wide stall with one grab bar located on one side and another grab bar located along the wall behind the toilet.   Each new restroom or remodel should have at least one of these compartments.  If the restroom has six or more toilets, it must also have a walk-in ambulatory stall (AMB).  This type of compartment services people on walkers, canes, or crutches.  It is narrower than the wheelchair access stall and has grab bars on either side. 

The dimensions for different types of ADA stalls vary based on whether or not they are designed for wheelchair access or walk-in access.  They also vary, to some extent, on whether the toilet is mounted to the floor or to the wall.  Some things are common in all bathroom designs, however.  The door must open with no more than five pounds of pressure.   Contractors must also install door pulls, handles, locks, or latches that are easy to manipulate with one hand.  These mechanisms should be no more than 48 inches above the floor in order for wheelchair bound users to easily access them.  All accessible stalls must also be fitted with grab bars that can support at least 250 pounds of force.  The location of the bars will vary based upon the type of stall being built. 

ADA stalls can be configured in two basic ways.  Wheelchair access compartments are often placed in an alcove position.  This position places the door of the ADA unit at a right angle to the line of doors for the other stalls.  This makes it very easy for a wheelchair bound user to wheel into the stall and maneuver inside.  When this configuration is not possible, an ADA compartment can also be built in an in-line configuration, with the door facing the same direction as the doors of other stalls.  AMB stalls are typically built in-line with standard stalls. 

All public restrooms are required to comply with these minimum Federal requirements for bathroom design.  Additionally, it is important to remember that the Americans with Disabilities Act sets forth minimum standards only.  There are other codes, such as TAS, that apply at state or even local levels.  These codes can make the process of designing ADA stalls a major challenge for contractors—particularly those working on remodels. 

One of the ways XPB Locker can help contractors save a great deal of time and money is to assist with the bathroom design process itself.  We will provide a free design drawing with every toilet partition quote.  This drawing will indicate the various customizations and accessories that will be needed to meet all regulations in a particular area our client is working in.