People with disabilities usually have a hard time using the restroom which is why the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has prepared certain guidelines for public and private facilities to ensure people with disabilities can also access restrooms too. 

Of all the many ADA requirements, the most essential one is proper clearance in the toilet. Continue reading to know how to check ADA toilet clearances.

Understanding ADA Guidelines for Toilet Clearances

The toilet ADA clearance dictates that the toilet stalls should be built with sufficient space to allow individuals with disabilities to access the toilet easily. According to the guidelines, the minimum width of an ADA-compliant stall should be 60 inches and it should have a depth of at least 56 inches. Also according to the requirement, there should be a minimum space of 9 inches in front of the toilet and a clear space of 36 inches on either side of the toilet. To ensure your restroom meets up with these requirements, it’s best to measure the clearance around the toilet. 

Steps for Checking ADA Toilet Clearances

• Measure the width and depth of the stall

First, you measure the width and depth of the toilet stall which according to the ADA guideline should be a minimum width of 60 inches and a depth of 56 inches. Measure the stall from each side to get the correct width and from the back wall to the front edge to get the correct depth.

• Measure the clearance in front of the toilet

According to the ADA guidelines, there should be a minimum space of at least 9 inches in front of the toilet. To do this, you have to measure the space between the front of the toilet and the nearest object such as a wall or a fixture. The distance between them should be at least 9 inches.

• Measure the clearance on each side of the toilet

According to the ADA guidelines, there should be a clear space of at least 3) inches on either side of the toilet. You can achieve this by measuring from the center of the toilet bowl to the nearest object, usually a wall or a fixture. This distance should be a minimum of 18 inches to meet up with the ADA requirements.

• Check the height of the toilet seat

According to the ADA guidelines, the height of the toilet seat should not be more than 17 to 19 inches from the floor. Measure the space between the toilet seat and the floor to get the exact measurement.

• Check the location of the grab bars

According to the ADA requirements, there should be grab bars installed on either side of the toilet stall and behind the toilet. The height of the grab bar should be according to the requirements of the ADA guidelines.

At All Things Inspector, our experts are capable of building toilets that meet up with the ADA guideline and requirements. We help our clients build toilets that can be easily accessible to people with disabilities.

Contact us today to learn more about our services!