The unisex restroom must be provided on the same floor and in the same area as the existing inaccessible restrooms. A single accessible unisex restroom can be provided if it is determined that compliance in the existing restrooms is technically infeasible.Options for Existing Restrooms and exceptions for achieving compliance include: Hallways, restrooms and break rooms would not be considered primary function areas. Therefore, if they are altered, the restrooms serving that altered area are required to be made accessible. Offices and conference rooms are considered primary function areas. This is referred to as an alteration to an area containing a primary function. And altering one item does not necessarily require compliance for existing items.Įven if there are no restroom alterations planned, renovations to the surrounding area served by the restroom may trigger ADA compliance. For instance, if you are replacing a faucet, it must be replaced with an accessible faucet. In bathroom alterations, an altered fixture must be made accessible. Normal maintenance, painting or wallpaper, or changes to mechanical and electrical systems are not alterations unless they affect the usability of the building or facility. Alterations include, but are not limited to, remodeling, renovation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, historic restoration, resurfacing of circulation paths or vehicular ways, changes or rearrangement of the structural parts or elements, and changes or rearrangement in the plan configuration of walls and full-height partitions. Even if alterations are not made, an existing public use restroom must provide for accessible features when feasible.Ī change to a building or facility that affects or could affect the usability of the building or facility or portion thereof. Other items such as grab bars, accessible faucets and plumbing fixtures can be installed later when needed.Įxisting bathrooms are not grandfathered by the ADA. An adaptable restroom requires clear floor space and minimum door widths. Other restrooms such as for the sole use by an occupant of a private office shall be made “adaptable”. Public use bathrooms are those that are made available for use by the general public and Common use restrooms are provided for two or more people including offices that do not see the general public. ADA rules stipulate each public and common use restrooms shall comply with ADA laws. Tenants who are renovating their space often believe that ONLY public use restrooms are required to be ADA accessible while Common use toilets do not. For offices undergoing construction, the general assumption is that all bathrooms, whether newly constructed or remodeled, public or common, be usable by people with disabilities.
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