The AODA has standards for the design of public spaces, but no standards for accessibility in other built environments. However, the Third Review of the AODA recommends improvements to all standards and laws governing buildings and public spaces. In addition, the review recommends that future AODA standards should align with existing standards in other parts of the country. For instance, Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) have developed federal standards for accessibility in the built environment. Future AODA standards may include some or all of these guidelines and requirements to make buildings more accessible. In this article, we explore guidelines in the federal built environment standards for accessible washrooms in buildings.
Accessible Washrooms in Buildings
All people should be able to use washrooms while they are away from their homes. Therefore, the standards recommend that all public washrooms should include at least one (1) accessible:
- Large washroom stall for people using assistive devices
- Standard-sized washroom stall with grab bars
- Urinal, where applicable
- Sink
Washrooms should include signage stating their accessibility. If a washroom is not accessible, signage should indicate the direction of the closest accessible washroom.
The measurements in the standards for paths of travel within buildings apply to washrooms. In other words, washrooms should be spacious enough for people using assistive devices to turn around and reach all fixtures, such as:
- Accessible stalls
- Toilets and urinals
- Sinks
- Mirrors
- Showers
- Tubs
Likewise, people should be able to reach all accessories, including:
- Towel dispensers
- Garbage cans
The standards include measurements and recommendations for the height and placement of all fixtures. Likewise, the standards provide measurements of the space people need to transfer:
- Onto toilet or shower seats
- Into tubs
Fixtures
Requirements for building controls apply to washroom fixtures, including:
- Door pulls and latches in stalls
- Faucets
- Flush activators
- Soap dispensers
- Towel dispensers
- Hand dryers
Toilets should have lids or tanks that can act as back rests, but no features that are spring-loaded. Furthermore, toilet paper dispensers and hooks should be nearby.
Moreover, all pipes under sinks should be protected so that people contacting those surfaces do not injure themselves. The standards list additional requirements for sinks and counters around them. For example, sinks should not be too wide or shallow. Furthermore, the standards list measurements for the placement of:
- Soap dispensers
- Towel dispensers
- Hand dryers
Tub and shower floors should be slip-resistant, and shower floors should have a slight slope toward the drain. If a shower has one shower head, it must be handheld. However, it should function in a fixed position, if desired. People should be able to adjust the height of shower heads with one (1) hand. Shower heads and faucets should include mixing valves to ensure that the water temperature does not grow hotter than forty-nine degrees Celsius. The standards include measurements and recommendations for the inside of tubs and showers, including:
- Tub length
- Shower floor area
- Shower seats
Doors
Furthermore, the standards recommend washrooms:
- Without entrance doors
- With only one (1) entrance door, rather than multiple doors close together
Grab Bars
The standards list measurements for grab bars, including:
- Size
- Distance from walls
- Height
- Colour contrast with walls
- Weight they can support
In addition, grab bars should be slip-resistant, be smooth and not sharp, and not rotate.
Our next article will explore guidelines in the federal built environment standards for universal washrooms.