By Anurag Baral
(original publish date: Aug. 17, 2017)
If you read Section 1109.2 of the 2018 Virginia Construction Code (VCC), you are provided with location requirements for accessible restrooms. If you pay particular attention to Exception 3, you will note that while it specifies how many restrooms are to be in a cluster, it does not define the term cluster.
1109.2 Toilet and bathing facilities.
Each toilet room and bathing room shall be accessible. Where a floor level is not required to be connected by an accessible route, the only toilet rooms or bathing rooms provided within the facility shall not be located on the inaccessible floor. Except as provided for in sections 1109.2.2 through 1109.2.4, at least one of each type of fixture, element, control or dispenser in each accessible toilet room and bathing room shall be accessible.
Exceptions:
- Where multiple single-user toilet rooms or bathing rooms are clustered at a single location, at least 50 percent, but not less than one room for each use at each cluster shall be accessible.
The Building Division will consider clustered toilet and bathing rooms as two or more single-occupant toilet rooms or bathing rooms, with entrance doors plainly visible from one and other, located either adjacent to each other or across the hall from each other and having a maximum travel distance of 10 feet measured from center of door to center of door of the nearest toilet/bathing room (see figures above). Please note that signage requirements of VCC Section 1111.2 still apply.
For more information, please contact Billy Farmer at 703-324-8361, TTY 711 or via email.