Rough-in Plumbing, Electrical, and Grab Bar Backing at a Toilet Adjacent to a Wall

WATER CLOSET DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS—Water Closet: typical guidelines, rough-in considerations, Lavatory Next to a Water Closet, minimum distance, Fixture Next to a Water Closet, Water Closet Hard Edges, front edge, seat side edge, Overlapping Spaces

WATER CLOSET DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS—One difference between a water closet in public spaces and a water closet in a single-family home is the height of the seat. Public spaces have the top of a water closet's seat at 17 to 19 inches (432 - 483 mm) above the finished floor, which is closer to the height of a typical wheelchair seat. Residential guidelines have the top of the seat 15 to 19 inches (381 - 483 mm) above the finished floor. A caution about installing a water closet next to a bathtub is on page 107. Also, when a lavatory is installed the minimum distance away from a water closet, the water closet has a larger clear floor space than the one pictured below. An illustration is on page 122. Other views of a water closet and fixtures are on page 126 and page 127.

WATER CLOSET TYPICAL GUIDELINES— Water Closet clear Floor Space: a. 56 inches (1422 mm) minimum from the rear wall, b. 60 inches (1524 mm) minimum from the side wall. Water Closet Seat Height: 15 inches (381 mm) minimum and 19 inches (483 mm) maximum from the top of the seat to the finished floor. Water Closet Centerline: 16 inches (406 mm) minimum and 18 inches (457 mm) maximum from the side wall to the centerline. Fixture Next to a Water Closet, illustrations are on pages 122 and 123.

WATER CLOSET TYPICAL GUIDELINES (continued)— Grab Bar Height (typical): a. installed a uniform horizontal height above the finished floor, b. 33 inches (838 mm) minimum and 36 inches (914 mm) maximum from the top of the gripping surface to the finished floor. Side Wall Grab Bar: a. typical height, b. 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the rear wall, c. 42 inches (1067 mm) minimum in length, d. 54 inches (1372 mm) minimum from the rear wall. Rear Wall Grab Bar: a. typical height, b. 36 inches (914 mm) minimum in length, with 24 inches (610 mm) on the transfer side of the water closet's centerline, c. 24 inches minimum in length, centered on the water closet, when the location of an adjacent fixture does not permit a 36 inch grab bar. A water closet with a 24 inch rear wall grab bar is illustrated on page 122. Paper Dispenser Location: a. 1-1/2 inches (38.1 mm) minimum between the dispenser and the bottom of the side wall grab bar, b. 15 inches (381 mm) minimum above the finished floor, c. centered 7 inches (178 mm) minimum and 9 inches (229 mm) maximum from the water closet's front edge. Grab Bar Backing (typical): 30 inches to 37 inches (762 - 940 mm) above the finished floor.

WATER CLOSET—Rough-in Considerations: a bathroom plan should detail, a. net thickness of each structural wall and wall covering, b. drain location, c . clear floor space, d. finished floor height, g. grab bar and dispenser backing locations, h. turning space to and away from a water closet, i. location of nearby fixtures.

LAVATORY NEXT TO A WATER CLOSET—Minimum Distance: Although a locality may permit a lavatory's edge 18 inches (457 mm) minimum from the centerline of a water closet when a water closet has the larger clear floor space detailed below, the general rule is, minimum widths and depths should be increased in size wherever space permits. This includes the space between a lavatory and a water closet.

FIXTURE NEXT TO A WATER CLOSET—With a water closet adjacent to the side wall, 60 inches (1524 mm) between the side wall and a fixture has advantages. There is room to install a 36 inch (914 mm) rear wall grab bar. Maneuvering near a water closet is easier.

WATER CLOSET HARD EDGES—Front Edge: 30 inches (762 mm) is the typical distance from the rear wall to the front edge of a water closet.

WATER CLOSET HARD EDGES—Seat Side Edge: 26 inches (660 mm) is the typical distance from the side wall to the seat side edge when a water closet's centerline is 18 inches (457 mm) from the side wall.

Overlapping Spaces—1. circular turning space, page 36, 2. lavatory clear floor space, page 130, 3. water closet clear floor space, page 118, 4. bathtub clear floor space, page 160, 5. front approach - push side landing, page 90

Rough-in Plumbing and Grab Bar Backing at a Bathroom

Back Wall and Adjacent Wall ready for Toilet Installation

Toilet Adjacent to a Wall

Water Closet

In ADA Guidelines, a toilet is called a water closet.