Bathrooms should be made accessible with the following in mind:
- The water closet should be set with its centerline 18 inches from the wall and should be 17 – 19 inches above the finished floor.
- Two grab bars should be installed, one on the side wall 42 inches in length and one on the rear wall 36 inches in length. Each bar should be 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 inches in diameter and should be securely mounted 33 – 36 inches above the finished floor. Fold up/down grab bars may be used in private homes.
- The lavatory should be mounted with its top surface no more than 34 inches above the finished floor with 27 inches clear at its bottom and 19 inches clear depth for a person using a wheelchair. It should have lever type faucets.
- The bottom of the reflective surface of the mirror should be no more than 40 inches above the finished floor.
- Clear floor space of 5 feet should be provided around the water closet and 4 feet deep and 30 inches wide in front of the lavatory.
- Items which must be reached (soap dispenser, towel dispenser, paper cup dispenser, etc.), should be no more than 48 inches above the finished floor.
- Hot water supply lines and drain lines under the lavatory should be insulated.
- Doors should have either lever type hardware or push/pull hardware, provide at least 32 inches of clear opening and open with no more than 5 pounds of pressure. The threshold should be no higher than 1/2 inch, beveled down to 1/4 inch on each leading edge.
