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Bathroom Layout Guidelines
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- This section contains a summary of recommendations for
considerations for redesigning a bathroom. Where "Code
Requirement" is stated, the minimum requirements of the code
must be met. There may also be local code requirements so
be certain to check with the local building inspector.
Door Ceiling
Clear Space
Lavatories
Counters Showers
Grab Bars
Glazing Steps
Flooring
Toilets Storage
and Accessories Electrical
Lighting
Ventilation
Heat
· Door/Entry
The clear opening of
a doorway should be at least 32”. This would require a
minimum 2’-10” door.
If the existing
structure precludes changing the opening then a minimum
2’-0” door is allowable.
· Door
Interference:
Code
Requirement:
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· Ceiling
Height:
Code
Requirements:
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Bathrooms shall have
a minimum floor to ceiling height of 80” over the fixture
and at the front clearance area for fixtures.
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A shower or tub
equipped with a showerhead shall have a minimum floor to ceiling
height of 80” above a minimum area 30” x 30” at
the showerhead.
· Clear Space:
Recommended:
Plan a clear floor space of at least 30” from the front
edge of all fixtures (i.e., lavatory, toilet, bidet, tub and
shower) to any opposite bath fixture, wall or
obstacle.
Code
Requirement:
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A minimum space of at
least 21” must be planned in front of lavatory, toilet,
bidet and tub. (IRC P 2705.1.5)
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A minimum space of at
least 24” must be planned in front of a shower entry. (IRC
R 307.1)
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· Lavatory
Placement:
Recommended:
The distance from the centerline of the lavatory to the
sidewall/tall obstacle should be at least 20”.
Code
Requirement:
· Double
Lavatory:
Recommended:
The distance between the centerlines of two lavatories should be
at least 36”.
Code
Requirement:
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The minimum distance
between the centerlines of two lavatories should be at least
30”. (IPC 405.3.1)
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The minimum distance
between the edges of two freestanding or wall-hung lavatories is
4”. (IRC R 307.1)
· Lavatory/Vanity
Height:
The height for a
lavatory varies between 32” – 43” to fit the
user.
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· Counter:
Specify clipped or
round corners rather than sharp edges on all counters.
· Shower Size:
Recommended:
The interior shower size is at least 36” x
36”.
Code
Requirement:
· Shower Controls:
Recommended:
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The shower controls should be accessible from
both inside and outside the shower spray and be located between
38” – 48” above the floor depending on
user’s height.
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The tub controls should be accessible from
both inside and outside the tub and be located between the rim of
the bathtub and 33” above the floor.
· Shower/Tub
Controls:
Code
Requirement:
Shower and tub/shower control valves must be one of the
following:
· Shower Seat, if
desired:
Recommended:
Plan a seat within the shower that is 17” –
19” above the shower floor and 15” deep.
Code
Requirement:
· Shower
enclosure:
Recommended:
The wall area above a tub or shower pan should be covered in a
waterproof material extending at least 3” above the
showerhead rough in.
Code
Requirement:
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· Grab Bars:
Recommended:
Plan grab bars to facilitate access to and maneuvering within
the tub and shower areas.
Tub and shower walls
should be prepared (reinforced) at time of construction to allow
for installation of grab bars to support a static load of 250
lbs.
Grab bars should be
placed at least 33” – 36” above the
floor.
Grab bars must be
11⁄4” to 2” in diameter and extend
11⁄2” from the wall.
· Glazing:
Code
Requirement:
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Glass used in tub or
shower enclosures (i.e. tub or shower door) or partitions must be
tempered or an approved equal and must be permanently marked as
such. (IRC R 308.1)
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If the tub or shower
surround has glass windows or walls, the glazing must be tempered
glass or approved equal when the bottom edge of glazing is less
than 60” above any standing or walking surface. (IRC R
308.4.5)
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Any glazing (i.e.
windows or doors) whose bottom edge is less than 18” above
the floor must be tempered glass or approved equal. (IRC R
308.4.7.2)
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· Shower
Door(s):
Code
Requirement:
Hinged shower doors
shall open outward. (IRC P 2708.1)
· Steps:
Steps should not be
placed outside a tub.
If steps are used a
grab bar/handrail is mandatory.
· Flooring:
Slip-resistant
surfaces should be specified for the general bath flooring,
shower floors, and tub/shower bottoms.
· Equipment
Access:
Code
Requirement:
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All equipment,
including access panels, must be installed as per
manufacturers’ specifications. (IRC M 2720.1)
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All
manufacturers’ instructions must be available for
installers and inspectors and left for homeowners. (IRC P
1307.1)
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· Toilet
Placement:
Recommended:
The distance from the centerline of toilet and/or bidet to any
bath fixture, wall or other obstacle should be at least
18”.
Code
Requirement:
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A minimum distance of
15” is required from the centerline of toilet and/or bidet
to any bath fixture, wall or other obstacle. (IRC R 307.1, IRC P
2705.1.5, IPC 405.3.1)
· Separate Toilet Compartment:
Recommended:
The size for a separate toilet compartment should be at least
36” x 66” with a swing-out or pocket door.
Code Requirement:
The minimum size for a separate toilet compartment is 30” x
60”. (IPC 405.3.1)
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· Storage:
Recommended:
Provide adequate, accessible storage for toiletries, bath linens,
grooming and general bathroom supplies at point of
use.
· Accessories:
Recommended:
Place a mirror above or near the lavatory at a height that takes
the user’s eye height into consideration.
The toilet paper holder should be located 8” –
12” in front of the edge of the toilet bowl, centered at
26” above the floor.
Additional accessories, such as towel holders, soap dishes, etc.,
should be conveniently located near all bath fixtures.
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· Electrical:
Recommended:
All GFCI receptacles should be located at electrical appliance
points of use.
Code
Requirement:
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At least one GFCI
protected receptacle must be installed within 36” of the
outside edge of the lavatory. (IRC E 3801.6)
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All receptacles must
be protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). (IRC
3802.1)
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A receptacle shall
not be installed within a shower or bathtub space. (IRC E
3902.11)
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Switches shall not be
installed within wet locations in tub or shower spaces or within
reach while standing in the tub or shower unless installed as
part of the listed tub or shower assembly. (IRC E
3901.7)
· Lighting:
Recommended:
In addition to general lighting, task lighting should be provided
for each functional area in the bathroom (i.e. grooming,
showering).
Code
Requirement:
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At least one
wall-switch controlled light must be provided. Switch must be
placed at the entrance of the bathroom. (IRC E 3901.6, IRC E
3803.2)
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All light fixtures
installed within tub and shower spaces should be marked
“suitable for damp/wet locations” (IRC E
3903.8.)
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Hanging fixtures
cannot be located within a zone of 3’ horizontally and
8’ vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower
stall threshold. (IRC E 3903.10)
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· Ventilation:
Recommended:
Plan a mechanical exhaust system, vented to the outside, for each
enclosed area.
Code
Requirement:
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Minimum ventilation
for the bathroom is to be a window of at least 3 sq. ft. of which
50% is operable, or a mechanical ventilation system of at least
50 cubic feet per minute (cfm) ducted to the outside. (IRC R
303.3, IRC M 1506.3)
· Heat:
Recommended:
A supplemental heat source, i.e., heat lamp, toe kick heater, or
floor heat should be considered.
Code
Requirement:
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Ref:
National Kitchen and Bath Association, Bathroom
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