Chapter 6 covers all plumbing-related elements — drinking fountains, toilet rooms, water closets, urinals, lavatories, bathtubs, showers, grab bars, seats, and accessories. A restroom that doesn't work is the kind of barrier that ends a workday, cuts a trip short, or keeps someone from going somewhere they wanted to be. It's one of the most commonly cited areas in ADA complaints for that reason.
Reading level📄 Plain language + legal text
CurrentlyStandard
Where drinking fountains are provided, there must be two types:
Wheelchair accessible: Spout no higher than 36 inches, with knee and toe clearance underneath for a forward approach
Standing height: Spout 38 to 43 inches high for people who have difficulty bending
Many buildings use a "hi-lo" combination unit that satisfies both requirements. The operable parts (button or lever) must be at the front and operable with one hand.
Two Heights Required
Units:
Key numbers — Drinking Fountains
≤ 36″Wheelchair fountain spout height
38″–43″Standing fountain spout height
4″Minimum water flow height (for cup/bottle filling)
2 typesEvery floor needs both wheelchair and standing heights
Accessible toilet rooms must have:
Turning space: A 60-inch diameter circle or T-shaped space for wheelchair turning
Door swing: The door cannot swing into the required clear floor space at any fixture
Mirrors: Bottom edge of the reflecting surface no higher than 40 inches above the floor
Coat hooks and shelves: Within reach range — 15 to 48 inches above the floor
The toilet itself and its compartment have detailed requirements:
Seat height: 17 to 19 inches above the floor
Centerline: 16 to 18 inches from the side wall
Standard compartment: 60 inches wide minimum, 56 inches deep minimum (wall-mounted) or 59 inches deep (floor-mounted)
Ambulatory compartment: 35 to 37 inches wide with grab bars on both sides — for people who can walk but need support
Door: Must be self-closing and have a pull on both sides; cannot swing into the required clearance
Accessible Toilet Stall
Units:
Key numbers — Toilet Stall
60″Minimum stall width
16″–18″Toilet centerline from side wall
42″Side grab bar length (12″ from rear wall)
36″Rear grab bar length (centered)
Where urinals are provided, at least one must be accessible:
Type: Stall-type or wall-hung with elongated rim no higher than 17 inches above the floor
Clear floor space: 30 × 48 inches for a forward approach
Flush controls: No higher than 44 inches above the floor
Accessible Urinal
Units:
Key numbers — Urinals
≤ 17″Maximum rim height above floor
≤ 44″Maximum height for manual flush controls
30″×48″Clear floor space for forward approach
Accessible lavatories (bathroom sinks) must allow a forward approach in a wheelchair:
Rim height: 34 inches maximum above the floor
Knee and toe clearance: Must be provided underneath
Faucets: Operable with one hand, no tight grasping — lever, push, or sensor-operated
Exposed pipes: Hot water and drain pipes under the lavatory must be insulated or covered to prevent burns
Accessible Sink
Units:
Key numbers — Lavatories
≤ 34″Maximum rim/counter height
LeverFaucet must work with one hand, no twisting
InsulateHot water pipes must be covered to prevent burns
Accessible bathtubs need grab bars along the back wall and head end wall, a removable or permanent seat, and clearance for a wheelchair alongside the full length of the tub:
Clear floor space: 30 × 60 inches alongside the tub, extending its full length
Seat: Permanent or removable, 15 inches deep minimum, at the head end
Grab bars: On back wall and head-end wall, at 33–36 inches above floor plus a lower bar 8–10 inches above the rim
Controls: Between the rim and grab bar, on the end wall opposite the seat
Shower spray: Hand-held with a 59-inch hose minimum
Accessible Bathtub
Units:
Key numbers — Bathtubs
30″×60″Clear floor space alongside full tub length
15″Minimum seat depth at head end
59″Minimum shower hose length
Accessible showers come in two standard types:
Transfer-type: 36 × 36 inches — the user transfers from a wheelchair onto a built-in seat
Standard roll-in: 60 × 30 inches — a wheelchair can roll directly in on the long side
Alternate roll-in: 36 × 60 inches with a 36-inch entry on the long side
All types require grab bars, a hand-held shower spray with 59-inch hose, and controls operable with one hand between 38 and 48 inches above the floor. No curb or threshold (½ inch max if beveled).
Accessible Showers
Units:
Key numbers — Showers
36″×36″Transfer shower size (with seat)
60″×30″Standard roll-in shower (no curb)
38″–48″Control height above shower floor
59″Minimum shower hose length
Grab bars are life-saving safety features. Requirements:
Diameter: 1¼ to 2 inches (circular) for a secure grip
Height: 33 to 36 inches above the floor
Wall clearance: 1½ inches from the wall
Structural strength: Must resist 250 pounds of force applied at any point
No rotation: Bars must not rotate within their fittings
Grab Bar Details
Units:
Key numbers — Grab Bars
1¼″–2″Round bar diameter
1½″Wall clearance (exactly)
33″–36″Mounting height above floor
250 lbsMust resist this force at any point, any direction
Shower/tub seats (§610↗): Must support 250 lbs and be mounted at 17–19 inches above the floor. Rectangular seats are 15–16 inches deep. L-shaped seats for roll-in showers extend along two walls.
Coat hooks and shelves (§611↗): Must be within reach range — 15 to 48 inches above the floor. Often cited because hooks in toilet stalls and dressing rooms are mounted too high.
Medicine cabinets (§612↗): Usable storage shelf must be 44 inches maximum above the floor.
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