Equivalent vanity counter top

[Mr. Inspector]

2009 ANSI 1002.11.2.1 Vanity Counter Top Space. If vanity counter top space is provided in dwelling or sleeping units not required to be Accessible units within the same facility, equivalent vanity counter top space, in terms of size and proximity to the lavatory, shall also be provided in Accessible units.

I am doing a plan review on a 450 unit hotel. There are 7 differnt kinds of units. One type (type A) has a counter outside the bathroom with a sink, microwave, mirror, and frig under the counter in both the accessible unit and nonaccessible units. The non accessible unit has a 2' counter top with a sink in it in the bathroom, the accessible unit bathroom has none. But the counter outside of the bathroom in the accessible unit is 8' long, and the non accessible same counter is 6'. I'm not sure if this would be an equivalent vainity counter space?

A other type of unit (type B) the vanity counter for the accessible unit is much larger than non accessible unit. It seems stupid but the way the code is writen they need to make the counter in the accessible unit smaller or the other one larger.

your comments please

 

[JBI]

First comment is to not use 'type A' and type 'B' to differentiate. In the Code those terms are specific to accessible units and adaptable units... makes your querry a bit confusing.



Based on your description it sounds like they are meeting the intent, which IMO, is that accessible units need to provide comparable conditions for all patrons. :-D

 

[Mr. Inspector]

I'm only using the names the architect is using for the type of unit, I did not mean to confuse with the types in the code book. There are only accessible type and non accessible units in this building. But the code does not say the accessible unit vanity counter must be at least as big as the unaccessible unit vanity counter (which I think would make more sense) but says it must be equivalent. So if the vanity counter is twice as big in the accessible unit than the nonaccessible unit it would not comply?

 

[mark handler]

2009 ANSI 1002.11.2.1 Vanity Counter Top Space. If vanity counter top space is provided in dwelling or sleeping units not required to be Accessible units within the same facility, equivalent vanity counter top space, in terms of size and proximity to the lavatory, shall also be provided in Accessible units.I am doing a plan review on a 450 unit hotel. There are 7 differnt kinds of units. One type (type A) has a counter outside the bathroom with a sink, microwave, mirror, and frig under the counter in both the accessible unit and nonaccessible units. The non accessible unit has a 2' counter top with a sink in it in the bathroom, the accessible unit bathroom has none. But the counter outside of the bathroom in the accessible unit is 8' long, and the non accessible same counter is 6'. I'm not sure if this would be an equivalent vainity counter space?

A other type of unit (type B) the vanity counter for the accessible unit is much larger than non accessible unit. It seems stupid but the way the code is writen they need to make the counter in the accessible unit smaller or the other one larger.

your comments please

Does the "counter outside of the bathroom" have the same lighting as the Bath counter?

Does the "counter outside of the bathroom" have an equivalent mirror as the Bath mirror? Power? Amenities, like Hair dryer?

 

[JBI]

• e·quiv·a·lent
  
• [ i kwívvələnt ]
  
• 
  
  

• equal: being the same, or effectively the same, in effect, value, or meaning as something and usually interchangeable with it
  
• of same size but different shape: describes geometric figures that have different shapes but equal areas, e.g. a circle and a square, or equal volumes, e.g. a cylinder and a cube
  
• in equivalence relation: describes members of a set that are in a reflexive, symmetrical, and transitive relation with each other
  

synonyms: equal · corresponding · correspondent · alike · same · comparable

While 'eqivalent' can mean the same, it is used here to provide flexibility. In this instance 'comparable' would be the operative synonym.

Without seeing the plans, based on your description of the amenities provided, I believe the rooms are equivalent.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

.......equivalent vanity counter top space, in terms of size and proximity to the lavatory.......

If one is twice the size of the other how could it be equivalent?

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Just got off the phone with PA L&I. Said the unit A set up is not equivalent and unit B is ok. L & I always has the last word here.

 

[mark handler]

Just got off the phone with PA L&I. Said the unit A set up is not equivalent and unit B is ok. L & I always has the last word here.

Looks great like you have some redesign to do....