• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Please help with proposed upgrade to restaurant restroom

DesignPaws

REGISTERED
Joined
Jan 14, 2017
Messages
1
Location
Rhode Island
Hello Everyone,
I am working on a restaurant renovation and would greatly appreciate some help. Currently there is a HC Women's room with one toilet, and a non compliant Men's room with one toilet and one urinal. I would like to propose removing the urinal and making both restrooms unisex HC compliant. The restaurant seating count is 84. I know it's 1 toilet per 30 women and 1 toilet per 60 men but I am not clear on the interpretation when it is 2 unisex restrooms. I am also concerned about triggering something by removing the urinal. Thanks is advance for your help!
 
Each fixture is assigned to either the required men's count or the required women's count--you cannot apply one fixture to both counts. That is the basic requirement for new construction.

For existing buildings, the intent is to make an existing building more accessible, so the fixture count is secondary. However, if the alterations increase the occupant load, then the proper number of fixtures will be required. If the occupant load remains the same or is reduced, compliance with current fixture counts is not required since the building was originally approved and permitted for the occupant load and the number of fixtures provided. Some jurisdictions, like my location here in Phoenix, provided an amendment to allow the reduction in the number of fixtures in existing buildings to accommodate accessibility modifications.
 
Also check your Health Department regulations. Some states have the urinal requirement in their health dept. regulations instead of the building code.
 
Back
Top