A Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom

REACH, APPROACH, AND EGRESS—Reach and Approach Direction, Reach and Obstructions, Forward Approach: unobstructed high forward reach and unobstructed low forward reach, Obstructed High Forward Reach: option one and option two, Parallel Approach: unobstructed high parallel reach and unobstructed low parallel reach, Obstructed High Parallel Reach: option one and option two, High And Low Reach and View, Egress

REACH AND APPROACH DIRECTION—High and low reach have an approach direction. Note: The thickness of any installed floor is an important consideration. Regardless of the application—bare concrete, tile, carpet, or any other application—the finished floor is the accessible floor surface a wheelchair travels on.

REACH AND OBSTRUCTIONS—Obstructions play a role in limiting reach. When reaching over an obstruction using a parallel approach, there are two limiting factors. a. an obstruction's depth is one limiting factor. b. an obstruction's height above the finished floor is the second. When reaching over an obstruction using a forward approach, there are three limiting factors. a. an obstruction's depth. b. a kitchen work surface's maximum height, page 216. c. knee clearance below a fixture, page 132.

FORWARD APPROACH—Unobstructed High Forward Reach: 48 inches (1219 mm) is the maximum unobstructed high forward reach above the finished floor.

FORWARD APPROACH—Unobstructed Low Forward Reach: 15 inches (381 mm) is the minimum unobstructed low forward reach above the finished floor.

FORWARD APPROACH—Obstructed High Forward Reach: option one, 44 inches (1118 mm) is the maximum high forward reach over an obstruction more than 20 inches to 25 inches (508 - 635 mm) maximum in depth. Note: A kitchen's work surface has a minimum width and a maximum height of 34 inches (864 mm) above the finished floor. Its depth is typically 25 to 25-1/2 inches (635 - 648 mm). * Receptacles and switches are approximately 1/2" (12.7 mm) in depth, leaving the spirit of accessibility intact with the 25 inch forward reach.

FORWARD APPROACH—Obstructed High Forward Reach: option two, 48 inches (1219 mm) is the maximum high forward reach over an obstruction 20 inches (508 mm) maximum in depth.

PARALLEL APPROACH—Unobstructed High Parallel Reach: 48 inches (1219 mm) is the maximum unobstructed high parallel reach above the finished floor.

PARALLEL APPROACH—Unobstructed Low Parallel Reach: 15 inches (381 mm) is the minimum unobstructed low parallel reach above the finished floor.

PARALLEL APPROACH—Obstructed High Parallel Reach: option one, 46 inches (1168 mm) is the maximum high parallel reach over an obstruction more than 10 inches to 24 inches (254 - 610 mm) maximum in depth and 34 inches (864 mm) maximum above the finished floor.

PARALLEL APPROACH—Obstructed High Parallel Reach: option two, 48 inches (1219 mm) is the maximum high parallel reach, 10 inches (254 mm) maximum beyond an obstruction, 34 inches (864 mm) maximum above the finished floor. Note: For a sweeping turn to take advantage of an accessible toe space under a cabinet, the cabinet must be 9 inches minimum above the finished floor.

HIGH AND LOW REACH AND VIEW—High and low reach are considerations throughout the house. A front-loading washer and a front loading dryer are two examples. Provided that the controls are no higher than 48 inches (1219 mm) above the finished floor, both a washer and a dryer should be elevated to a point where wet or dry clothes are accessible. The appliance door should also swing sideways, allowing a parallel approach. A mirror's lower edge, above the finished floor, is another consideration. 40 inches (1016 mm) is its maximum height when it is above a lavatory or countertop. 35 inches (889 mm) is the lower edge's maximum height when it is not.

EGRESS—Each residential bedroom must have a means of emergency-egress that complies with a locality's building standards. Wheelchair accessibility, at a residential home's first floor, asks that an emergency-egress receive special consideration. A 3068 hinged doorway is illustrated. 30 is shorthand for 3 feet and 0 inches in width (914 mm). 68 is shorthand for 6 feet and 8 inches in height (2032 mm). Note: An exterior door swinging out should have hinges with nonremovable (n.r.p.) pins. To remove the pins, a retaining screw must be removed from each hinge when the door is open.

A bathroom sink and a "cabinet" that allows for the middle portion (where the towels are) to be removed. Removed, the cabinet allows for knee and toe space under the sink.

Reach, approach, and egress.

A 3068 hinged door with an accessible landing and a zero-step transition is an accessible entrance and exit.