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Section 603 vs. Section 604, 2003 A117.1

globe trekker

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Oct 19, 2009
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Greetings to you all!

I am looking for input once again. In looking at Section 603 & Section 604 in the 2003

Edition of the A117.1 Standard, it appears as though these two sections are different

in their scope. Section 603 is for Toilet and Bathing "Rooms", vs. Section 604 being for

Water Closets and Toilet "Compartments".

I have an existing church that is constructing a 27k+ sq. ft., 2 story addition, with an

area on the 1st Floor primarily for Pre-schoolers. I am looking at the Unisex toilets;

for these Pre-schoolers, in these areas.

Some time back, there was a discussion on this Forum, regarding the Accessibility

requirements of the IBC & the A117, for Daycare Aged kids. I am attempting to revisit

that discussion, and obtain some clarity. See this link for the previous discussion:

http://www.thebuildingcodeforum.com/forum/accessibility/5025-child-daycare-restroom-facilities.html



The current design of my application has a single Unisex toilet room with one child

sized toilet and one child sized lavatory, between 2 Pre-school classrooms, in multiple

locations. These Toilet Rooms do not have any grab bars, and the WC is shown to be

at 12" a.f.f., and the lavatory at 18" a.f.f. The maneuvering clearances are o.k. I am

looking for guidance / input on the grab bars & to possibly be wheel chair compliant

(RE: Section 1109.2.2 in the 2006 IBC & Section 604.8 in the 2003 A117).

QUESTION # 1: Is the design of my application a Toilet Room or a Toilet

Compartment?

As always, please cite any applicable code sections for your input!

FWIW, I have not yet contacted the RDP to discuss this. I wanted to obtain input from

you all first!

Thank you!

.
 
globe trekker said:
Greetings to you all!I am looking for input once again. In looking at Section 603 & Section 604 in the 2003

Edition of the A117.1 Standard, it appears as though these two sections are different

in their scope. Section 603 is for Toilet and Bathing "Rooms", vs. Section 604 being for

Water Closets and Toilet "Compartments".

I have an existing church that is constructing a 27k+ sq. ft., 2 story addition, with an

area on the 1st Floor primarily for Pre-schoolers. I am looking at the Unisex toilets;

for these Pre-schoolers, in these areas.

Some time back, there was a discussion on this Forum, regarding the Accessibility

requirements of the IBC & the A117, for Daycare Aged kids. I am attempting to revisit

that discussion, and obtain some clarity. See this link for the previous discussion:

http://www.thebuildingcodeforum.com/forum/accessibility/5025-child-daycare-restroom-facilities.html



The current design of my application has a single Unisex toilet room with one child

sized toilet and one child sized lavatory, between 2 Pre-school classrooms, in multiple

locations. These Toilet Rooms do not have any grab bars, and the WC is shown to be

at 12" a.f.f., and the lavatory at 18" a.f.f. The maneuvering clearances are o.k. I am

looking for guidance / input on the grab bars & to possibly be wheel chair compliant

(RE: Section 1109.2.2 in the 2006 IBC & Section 604.8 in the 2003 A117).

QUESTION # 1: Is the design of my application a Toilet Room or a Toilet

Compartment?

As always, please cite any applicable code sections for your input!

FWIW, I have not yet contacted the RDP to discuss this. I wanted to obtain input from

you all first!

Thank you!

.
Toilet room, if there was a divider, "partition with a door" that would be a compartment inside a toilet room
 
QUESTION # 1: Is the design of my application a Toilet Room or a Toilet

Compartment?

It is both. A water closet is located in a toilet room or in a toilet compartment located within a toilet room.

604 are the requirements for a water closet regardless of where it is located.

604.10 is for children

604.10.5 sends you to 604.5 for grab bars
 
In both instances grab bars are required for accessibility. Suggest also review separate facility requirements for fixture count (IBC 2902.2); a single unisex is 15.

Francis
 
Greetings to you all once again!

Continuing with my OP, .. another issue has arisen with the number of toilets.

Regarding "Francis Vinyard's" reply of "Suggest also review separate facility requirements

for fixture count (IBC 2902.2); a single unisex is 15."



The RDP has only one Unisex Toilet Room between 2 classrooms. The approx. dimension

of each classroom varies, but none are smaller than 18' x 20', in an A-3 Occ. Group. The

Occ. Loading will equal between 20 and 23 children in each classroom, thereby requiring

separate restrooms for each sex (as per Section 2902.2, Exception # 2, in the 2006

Edition of the IBC & Section 403.2, Exception # 2 in the 2006 IPC).

Here's the kicker (from both code standards), .."Section 2902.3 = Number of occupants

of each sex: The required water closets, lavatories and showers or bathtubs shall be

distributed equally between the sexes based on the percentage of each sex anticipated

in the occupant load. The occupant load shall be composed of 50 percent of each sex,

unless statistical data approved by the building official indicate a different distribution

of the sexes. The currently design plans have each classroom designed as "Preschool"

only!



QUESTION # 1: Is it realistic to believe or accept some sort of statement (from the

church pastor in this application), that each classroom will be used by only one sex,

thereby negating the requirement for separate restroom facilities for each sex?

QUESTION # 2: Have any of you had to deal with this type of application before? If so,

what was your results?

Thank you for your input!

.
 
Can do a code modification given the total number of toilets will serve the number of kids. This arrangement is preferred to closely supervise the youngsters and is not open to the general public.

Francis
 
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