Service sink as lavatory?

[Green-rev]

The project I am working has a mixed use and has a storage area separate from the B and A use groups. There is a Unisex ADA bathroom on the office side of the building. The storage area is separate from the rest of the building with a partition wall and no door. The client wants a small bath in the storage area and the AHJ wants the bath to be accessible. The client also wanted to have the service sink in that bathroom, but is trying to minimize the bathroom size to maximize the storage area. Is it possible to use the service sink as both a lavatory and service sink? If they eliminate the bathroom in the storage room altogether, will they need to add a door between the office area and the storage area? We are using 2012 IBC code.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

You stated that the AHJ wants the new toilet to be accessible, I don’t see how a service sink could also meet the requirements of an accessible lavatory.

 

[steveray]

I'm with Tim....The better question is, is the lav OK to use as a service sink.....If the AHJ is not requiring the SS, then how you use your lav is not our issue....

 

[RLGA]

Per the IPC, lavatories (IPC Section 416) and sinks (IPC Section 418) have to meet similar standards, but the standards may have different requirements for each type. If you could find a fixture that complies with the standards of both and still be accessible, then I don't see why it wouldn't be acceptable.

 

[Paul Sweet]

The average service sink is too deep to get the necessary knee clearance under it.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

The reason the code requires both a lav and an service sink in new buildings is so you don't use a lav as a service sink

 

[my250r11]

Is it more than 500ft to go around?

 

[ADAguy]

Depends on what you want to wash.

 

[Green-rev]

Thanks, all.
After talking with the AHJ and the client, we are getting rid of the bathroom and just putting a door in between the two sections. The AHJ didn't like the idea of combining the the lavatory and service sink, so no use in pursuing.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

You didn't mention how big these area were or how many plumbing fixture you have. But do the existing plumbing fixture quantities in the A / B occupancies have sufficient capacity to accommodate the S area occupants?