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Lavatories Adjacent to Partitions

General Comment or Question

Ask a CASp | March 19, 2019 at 6:03PM (edited)

Interpretations?  Here’s another one! 

A restroom lavatory.  Per 11B-606.2, we know that a clear space positioned for a forward approach is required (with exceptions), with proper knee and toe clearance.  Although we often times see accessories such as hand dryers or paper towel dispensers installed on the wall adjacent to the lavatory, the accessories cannot encroach into the clear floor space of the lavatory (see attached graphic)

In California, we observe the additional requirement for lavatories that are located next to a wall (or partition):

11B-606.6 Adjacent side wall or partition. Lavatories, when located adjacent to a side wall or partition, shall be a minimum of 18 inches (457 mm) to the centerline of the fixture.

Recently, an interpretation has been presented in how the 18” measurement is applied to the lavatory.  In the interpretation, accessories such as hand dryers or paper towel dispensers cannot encroach into the 18” distance from the adjacent partition or wall, to the centerline of the lavatory.  The 18” distance is to be a clear dimension from the adjacent wall or partition. To comply, the 18” measurement would have to be taken from the face of the hand dryer shown in the graphic.  

Thoughts? 

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  • Lavatory_Clear_Space.jpg
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Bill Zellmer

Re: Lavatories Adjacent to Partitions

General Comment or Question

Bill Zellmer | March 20, 2019 at 10:03AM (edited)

I would argue that it is a stretch of code definitions to interpret the face of a paper towel dispenser to be considered a 'wall or partition'.

I would add that the California text does not specifically require a 'clearance' related to that 18" that we would theoretically be obligated to keep clear.

Personally, I think that interpretation, while well-meaning, isn't supported in code.

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Message 3 of 4

Jeff Foster

Re: Lavatories Adjacent to Partitions

General Comment or Question

Jeff Foster | March 20, 2019 at 1:03PM (edited)

11B-606.6 Adjacent side wall or partition. Lavatories, when located adjacent to a side wall or partition, shall be a minimum of 18 inches (457 mm) to the centerline of the fixture.

I agree with Bill Zelmer's comments, and don't know how one could interpret this as requiring the 18" to be clear of any objects, especially objects (soap and paper towel dispensers) associated with the use of the lavatory. Were the CBC requirement instead made a part of 11B-606.2 (Clear Floor Space), I suppose we'd have to give the notion of "clear" some more thought.

 

 

 

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Daniel N. Mather

Re: Lavatories Adjacent to Partitions

General Comment or Question

Daniel N. Mather | March 20, 2019 at 3:03PM (edited)

The question is where is the location of dispenser/element in question.

11B-606.6 requires lavatories adjacent to sidewall or partition to be a minimum of 18" to the centerline of the fixture without reference to dispensers or similar elements (as commented previously).

11B-606.2 requires clear floor space complying with 11B-305. Clear Floor Space is defined as the minimum unobstructed floor or ground space required to accommodate a single, stationary wheelchair and occupant.  Dispensers or other similar elements creating an obstruction or could be classified as a protruding object would have to be relocated.

 

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