Requirement 7

Usable Kitchens and Bathrooms

1
 Usable Kitchens

 General Requirements:

• Clear Floor Space at Appliances

• Clearance between Countertops,

Appliances, and Walls

• Clearance in U-Shaped Kitchens

2
 Usable Kitchens

Other requirements in kitchens:

• Usable doors
• Located on an accessible route
• Outlets and switches in usable
locations
• Objects that provide space for
toes or knees can overlap a
portion of a clear floor space

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 Clear Floor Space

30” 48”

Clear Floor Space

4
 Parallel Clear Floor Space –
Range or Sink
30”x48” Clear Floor Space
Parallel to and centered on:

Range or cooktop Sink

5
Forward Clear Floor
Space at Sink

A forward approach to
the kitchen sink if:
• Knee space is provided
under the sink
• 30-inch x 48-inch of clear
floor space for a forward
approach must be
centered and extend
under the sink a
maximum of 19-inch

6
Adaptable Base Cabinet

7
 Parallel or Forward Clear Floor Space –
Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Trash Compactor
Forward approach
Parallel approach

30”

48”

30”x48” Clear Floor Space

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Unacceptable Clear Floor Space Locations

9
Some Differences in Other Safe Harbors

ICC A117.1 Standard

Images copyrighted by International Code Council
10
Clearance Between Countertops

40” Min

40” Min

Between countertops Between appliances

and countertops
40” Min

Between walls
and countertops 11
Galley Kitchen – 40” Clearance

Ref
40” min

DW

12
U-Shaped Kitchens –
Turning Circle

DW

Range

Ref

60” Turning Clear Floor Space When

Sink, Cooktop, or Range is at Base of U 13
Narrow U-Shaped Kitchen
Sink with removable
base cabinet

30”x48”
clear floor
space

40” min.

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Usable Bathrooms
Definition of a Bathroom
Lavatory
Toilet

Bathtub

15
 Usable Bathrooms

 General Requirements:

• Clear floor space within the bathroom outside

the swing of the door

• Clear floor space at bathroom fixtures

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General Requirements for Usable
Bathrooms

Clear floor space at each fixture and

outside of door swing
(clear floor spaces may overlap)
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 Usable Bathrooms

Other requirements in Bathrooms:

• Usable doors
• Accessible route
• Outlets and switches in usable
locations
• Reinforcing for grab bars
• Objects that provide space for
toes or knees can overlap a
portion of a clear floor space

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Two Bathroom Specifications

 Specification A

• Less accessible

• All fixtures must be usable

 Specification B

• More accessible

• One of each fixture must be usable

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Example “A” Bathroom

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Example “B” Bathroom

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Dwelling Unit with One Bathroom

Design Choices:

• Bathroom meets
Specification A

or

• Bathroom meets
Specification B

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Dwelling Unit with Multiple
Bathrooms
Design Choices:

1. All bathrooms comply with

Specification A

OR

2. One bathroom complies

with Specification B and
the other bathroom(s) not
required to meet
maneuvering and clear
floor space requirements
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 Specification A and B
Clear Floor Space – Outside Swing of Door

30”x48” outside swing of door

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 Specification A and B
Clear Floor Space – Centered on the Lavatory

acceptable

15”

30”x48” clear floor

space at lavatory

unacceptable
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 Clear Floor Space – Forward Approach

15”
min
48”

Adaptable Cabinet

30” Pipe protection

recommended

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Specification A – Knee Space

In Specification A Bathrooms:
• Knee space must be at least 17-
inches deep
• Only 19-inches of the 48-inches of
clear floor space required for the
perpendicular approach may extend
under the lavatory.
• While the Guidelines do not provide
further specifications for knee space,
it is recommended that ANSI A117.1
be followed.

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Specification B – Knee Space

Specification B Bathrooms:
• Centerline of the fixture at least
15 inches from an adjoining wall
or fixture
• Top of fixture rim a maximum of
34 inches above the floor
• Apron at least 27 inches above
the floor
• Knee space at least 17 inches
deep.

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 Lavatory Clear Floor Space

Specification A – All Specification B – only

lavatories must one lavatory must
comply comply

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People with Disabilities and
Transfers at Toilets

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 Clear Floor Space – Toilets
Specification A and B

33”min 33”min
18” 15” 18” 15” 18”

48”min 60”min
48”min

1 2 3
48”x66” 48”x56” 56”x60”
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Clear Floor Space – Toilets
Specification A and B

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 Specification A
Clear Floor Space – Bathtubs

60”min

30”x 60” parallel

approach 60”min

48”x 60” perpendicular

approach
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 Specification A
Clear Floor Space – Bathtubs

Toilet location
will be difficult for
some users
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 Specification A
Clear Floor Space – Bathtubs

Lavatory without knee space can be next

to bathtub for perpendicular approach 35
 Specification B –
Maneuvering Space

30”x48”
clear floor
space at tub
no fixtures
48”min may
encroach

30”x48” Parallel Approach

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 Specification B –
Maneuvering Space

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 Specification A or B
Clear Floor Space – Showers (Generally)

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When Minimum Shower Size is Required

Shower stalls may be of any size or configuration

except when:
1. The shower stall is the only bathing fixture in the
dwelling; or

2. When the shower stall is designated the accessible

bathing fixture in a Specification B bathroom.
3. The shower is the only bathing fixture in a
Specification A or B bathroom on the primary entry
level of a covered multistory unit located in an
elevator building.

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 When Minimum Shower Size is Required

30”x48” clear floor Optional shower

space seat

Specification A
shower stall
measures at least 36”

36” min
x 36” or equivalent
usable size such as
32” x 42” or 30” x 44”.
Specification B
shower stall measure
a nominal 36” by 36”
or equivalent usable 36” min Control wall
size.

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 Powder Room
Accessible Exceptions

Must provide
access to primary
entry floor of two-
story dwellings in an
elevator building

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 Powder Room
Accessible Exceptions

48”x56”
at toilet

30”x48” Outside
swing of door (door
swings out)

30”x48” at
Lavatory
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