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distance from wall of an accessible WC

M

Mac Moonfire

SAWHORSE
Joined
Aug 2, 2019
Messages
89
Location
BC
How far off the side wall should an accessible water closet be?

3.8.3.11.(1)(f) gives direction on the mounting of the L shaped grab bar, but I couldn’t find any information of the distance from wall to center of WC.
If the L bar is going to be used, what is the proper distance of the WC from the wall?
thank you
 
My bad. 16-18” is correct. I’m probably thinking of fishing … my fish was an inch bigger than yours …
 
We use inches and feet in the trades, and have to convert to metric as inspectors. Its a pain in the butt.
 
You didn't say where the project is located, or the applicable code.
In ADA, it's a range from 16-18" for wheelchair accessible water closets.
In California Building Code, it's a range from 17-18".
In the Fair Housing Act, it's an absolute of 18", with an unstated allowance for construction tolerance.

As a result, our local CASPs (accessibility specialists) recommend that for publicly funded FHA projects, the toilets get set at a range between 17.75"-18".
 
There are no requirements for an offset in the national code. Check with any provincial amendments though.
 
Yikes said:
You didn't say where the project is located, or the applicable code.
In ADA, it's a range from 16-18" for wheelchair accessible water closets.
In California Building Code, it's a range from 17-18".
In the Fair Housing Act, it's an absolute of 18", with an unstated allowance for construction tolerance.

As a result, our local CASPs (accessibility specialists) recommend that for publicly funded FHA projects, the toilets get set at a range between 17.75"-18".
Click to expand...
Good point. using BCBC2018 (British Columbia building code 2018)
I've sifted 3.7 and 3.8 chapters (BCBC), building accessibility handbook 2020, and CSA B651-18 Accessible design for the built environment.
in CSA B651-18, I just found 18.5"-19" from WC centerline to finished wall. I think that is it, Canadian and USA alike.
Thanks for shiming in folks.
Thank you Eh
1692113545799.png
 
NBC 2015
3.8.3.11
(1)Water-closet stalls and enclosures required by Sentence 3.8.2.8.(5) shall
(d)"have a water closet located so that the distance between the centre line of the
fixture and the wall on one side is 460 mm to 480 mm"
 
tmurray said:
That's right. It is there for stalls, but not for individual toilet rooms. I mixed them up.
Click to expand...
I've interpreted it as meaning individual toilet rooms as well.

3.8.2.8 (5) At least one water-closet stall or enclosure in a washroom required to be barrier-free shall comply with Subsection 3.8.3.

3.8.3.12 (universal washrooms) similarly refer back to 3.8.3.11.

Hence, as I see it, if a toilet is being constructed to be barrier-free, it must be 46-48 cm from a wall; which conforms to the CSA standard and ye olde common sense of having the grab bar placed in a location where it serves some use.
 
Inspector Gadget said:
I've interpreted it as meaning individual toilet rooms as well.

3.8.2.8 (5) At least one water-closet stall or enclosure in a washroom required to be barrier-free shall comply with Subsection 3.8.3.

3.8.3.12 (universal washrooms) similarly refer back to 3.8.3.11.

Hence, as I see it, if a toilet is being constructed to be barrier-free, it must be 46-48 cm from a wall; which conforms to the CSA standard and ye olde common sense of having the grab bar placed in a location where it serves some use.
Click to expand...
Well, it does in this province because the regulation explicitly requires this.

What is missing from the regulation is grab bars for water closets serving dwelling units required to be barrier free.
 
tmurray said:
Well, it does in this province because the regulation explicitly requires this.
Click to expand...
Noted. I actually hadn't looked deeply into NBC version of 3.8 until this discussion.
tmurray said:
What is missing from the regulation is grab bars for water closets serving dwelling units required to be barrier free.
Click to expand...

May I disagree? From NB Reg 2021-03:

3.8.2.1
6) Except as exempt by paragraph (1)(a), in a residential occupancy of multiple suites one unit conforming to
Article 3.8.3.23. shall be provided for every 20 units or part thereof (See Note B-3.8.2.1.(6) of Schedule B).

3.8.3.23
3) In a barrier-free suite that is required in a residential occupancy to provide barrier-free access by Sentence 3.8.2.1.(6), a minimum of one accessible bathroom shall be provided with (a) a floor space of not less than 3.7 m 2 with no dimension less than 1700 mm when the door swings out and 4 m2 with no dimension less than 1800 mm when the door swings in,
(b) a water closet conforming to Article 3.8.3.13.,
(c) a lavatory conforming to Article 3.8.3.15.,
(d) where a shower is provided, a shower conforming to Article 3.8.3.16.,
(e) where a bathtub is provided, a bathtub conforming to Article 3.8.3.17.,
(f) a GFI razor outlet located not more than 1200 mm above the floor, and
(g) grab bars conforming to clauses 3.8.3.11.(1)(e) and (f).
 
Max. 18-57/64 inches
I'll have to get a different USCS (Imperial) tape measure!
"Ol" Bush "41"tried to get us to convert!
 
Inspector Gadget said:
Noted. I actually hadn't looked deeply into NBC version of 3.8 until this discussion.


May I disagree? From NB Reg 2021-03:

3.8.2.1
6) Except as exempt by paragraph (1)(a), in a residential occupancy of multiple suites one unit conforming to
Article 3.8.3.23. shall be provided for every 20 units or part thereof (See Note B-3.8.2.1.(6) of Schedule B).

3.8.3.23
3) In a barrier-free suite that is required in a residential occupancy to provide barrier-free access by Sentence 3.8.2.1.(6), a minimum of one accessible bathroom shall be provided with (a) a floor space of not less than 3.7 m 2 with no dimension less than 1700 mm when the door swings out and 4 m2 with no dimension less than 1800 mm when the door swings in,
(b) a water closet conforming to Article 3.8.3.13.,
(c) a lavatory conforming to Article 3.8.3.15.,
(d) where a shower is provided, a shower conforming to Article 3.8.3.16.,
(e) where a bathtub is provided, a bathtub conforming to Article 3.8.3.17.,
(f) a GFI razor outlet located not more than 1200 mm above the floor, and
(g) grab bars conforming to clauses 3.8.3.11.(1)(e) and (f).
Click to expand...
What was I thinking of? I need to stop shooting from the hip.
 
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