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ADA unit turning space: what are the dimensions?

Jules T.asked 0 viewsUnit Types & FeaturesAda unitTurning spaceRules permits adaCompliancePlacement

An ADA-compliant portable toilet must provide a wheelchair turning space that is a 60-inch diameter circle or a T-shaped space per Section 304 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. This is the exact requirement for the clear floor area inside the unit. The turning space ensures a person using a wheelchair can enter, close the door, and maneuver to use the toilet.

Clear floor space dimensions. The ADA unit itself is larger than a standard portable toilet to accommodate this turning space. The interior must have a minimum clear floor area of 60 inches in diameter. Alternatively, a T-shaped space is permitted, which allows for a three-point turn. The door must also provide a clear opening width of at least 32 inches when open.

Placement and approach. For the turning space to be usable, the unit must be placed on firm and stable level ground. The accessible path to the unit must be at least 36 inches wide. The approach area outside the door must also be level to allow for a smooth transition into the unit.

Checking for compliance. When inspecting a cluster of units, remember the ADA cluster rule: at least 5% of the units (practically, at least one) must be ADA-compliant. Verify the interior dimensions with a tape measure. Check that the grab bars are mounted correctly and the door hardware is operable with one hand without tight grasping or twisting.

These are the measurable requirements from the standard. If you have a specific site layout you're reviewing, feel free to ask about the approach path or door swing clearance.

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Toni S.Richmond, VA

The turning space is either a 60 inch diameter circle or a T shape that fits inside a 60 inch square, with each arm of the T at least 36 inches wide. That's straight out of section 304.3 of the 2010 standards.

A few things I check every spring when our accessible units come back to the fields:

  • Floor slope. The turning space can't be steeper than 1:48 in any direction (304.2). If the unit sits on a lumpy patch of turf, it fails even when the box itself is built right. We put ours on a pad or at least on level ground.
  • Threshold. A lip of 1/4 inch is fine as is. Between 1/4 and 1/2 inch it has to be beveled no steeper than 1:2 (303).
  • Door. 32 inches clear with the door open 90 degrees.
  • Hardware. One hand, no tight grasping, pinching, or twisting, and no more than 5 pounds of force to work it (309.4). Stiff latches are the thing that fails most for us after a winter.
  • Grab bars and seat. Bars mounted 33 to 36 inches high, seat 17 to 19 inches.

The route to the door counts too. 36 inches wide minimum, firm and stable, or the inside measurements don't help anybody.

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