Can I reuse an existing restroom?

[Adrole]

I assume that if an existing restroom is not touched during the remodeling/demo process, it can be reused, but is there any language in Texas Accessibility Standards that say otherwise? Our project is an interior remodel of a small space of about 900 Sq. Ft. on the second floor of a covered mall.

 

[e hilton]

Didn’t you ask this same question last week?

 

[Adrole]

Didn’t you ask this same question last week?

The answers I received didn't exactly answer my question, so I thought maybe if I revised the question, I can get a better answer.

 

[JPohling]

Of course it can be reused. Is it fully accessible and code compliant? if not you will need to make improvements

 

[redeyedfly]

The answers I received didn't exactly answer my question, so I thought maybe if I revised the question, I can get a better answer.

The problem is not the answers, your question does not make sense.

Why do you think a bathroom which meets all current codes in your jurisdiction would not be allowed to be re-used?

 

[Yikes]

Adrole, there's some ambiguity around what you mean by "reused". Maybe this is the question you intended to ask:

"When remodeling a small space of about 900 Sq. Ft. on the second floor of a covered mall, can the existing restroom that currently serves the remodeled space be utilized to comply with Texas Accessibility Standards (and ADA Standards!) for their restroom requirements related to the remodeled space, without also further remodeling the restroom itself?"

If that's the case, then the answer you're hearing from us is:

• If the restroom already meets all the requirements of TAS and ADA for an accessible restroom, then no further remodel of the restroom is required.
• If the restroom does not already meet all the requirements of TAS and ADA for an accessible restroom, then further remodel of the restroom is generally required. How much remodel that turns out to be depends on multiple factors; there may be some exceptions depending on the structural/technical feasibility of making the restroom 100% compliant, and/or the cost of making it compliant vs. the overall project valuation. At that point, you really need to read TAS and ADA to find out more.

 

[e hilton]

The answers I received didn't exactly answer my question, so I thought maybe if I revised the question, I can get a better answer.

You should have replied to the other discussion so both you and us (we?) could refer to the prior responses.

 

[JPohling]

guessing a new post will come out as they are not liking these answers either.

 

[e hilton]

If you don’t like the answers, don’t ask the questions.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

I have nothing to add to this thread, simply having a hard time believing that Texas actually has its own accessibility code.

 

[Yikes]

I have nothing to add to this thread, simply having a hard time believing that Texas actually has its own accessibility code.

From what I hear, Texas is actually has Registered Accessibility Specialists, somewhat similar to California's CASp program, and the state is now taking accessibility seriously.

 

[tbz]

Texas has had a long standing state wide accessibility code, for years they did not update the 1.5" absolute handrail clearance that was in the original ADA Adoption, thus even though the feds allowed the 1.5" or greater they did not modify.

What a pain it was for a good while.

 

[Joe.B]

"The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush."

Wasn't he from Texas? Maybe not born there but got his political start there right?

 

[ADAguy]

Texas had TAS before CASp and Massachussets had a statewide program before both and still does.