Type B dwelling unit bathroom

[Scott Dillow]

This is 2015 IBC (2018 for accessibility). I have a two bedroom apartment unit which was designed to meet Type B Dwelling Unit requirements. There are two bathrooms, one in the master bedroom, the other in the hallway that would presumably be used by the second bedroom occupants and any visiting guests to the apartment. I had made the bathroom off the master bedroom the adaptable Type B bathroom, assuming that a disabled person renting the unit would want the accessible bathroom off their bedroom. If they happened to have a disabled guest, they could direct their guest to the bigger bathroom. Also, that bathroom is by nature bigger and thus easier to make accessible. The inspector has flagged this however, and wants the hallway bathroom to be the accessible one. Because we don't have the clear floor space inside, this will require the door swing out. Very inconvenient as now you will have to keep the bathroom door closed a majority of the time. I have been through the code and cannot find explicit language requiring the accessible bathroom be located in the "common" space of the apartment. It says the accessible features cannot be behind locked doors, but surely in this case the occupant of the apartment wouldn't be locked in their bedroom denying a disabled guest the use of the bathroom. Also, easily adaptable could be just switching out the bedroom lockset to a passage set to meet the letter of the law if needed.

So what am I missing?

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Looks like you are using Option B which let's you have only one bathroom to comply.

But it looks to me that ANSI A117.1 section 1004.11.1 requires the clear floor space in all the bathrooms, doors cannot swing into the clear floor space, accessible bathroom or not. Maybe use a pocket door.

The code does not say which bathroom is to comply for option B if there is more than one. Ask you inspector for the section number that says it has to be in the hallway. What if it was a one bedroom apartment with only one bathroom in the one bedroom?
Also never herd that the accessible features cannot be behind locked doors. Ask for the section on this too. Apartment entrances and bathrooms always have locks.

You can always spend $100 for an appeal to the state. I'm sure you will win.

 

[e hilton]

Remove the fixtures from the hall bath until after the inspection.
Ok, dumb idea.