Plumbing Requirements for Bathrooms and Kitchens

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Questions and Answers

What is required for water supply and drain pipes under kitchen sinks?

They shall be insulated or otherwise covered.

There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under kitchen sinks.

True

What are the two options for bathrooms in dwelling units?

Both A and B (correct)

Option 1 - all bathrooms must comply with items 1-10

Option 2 - only one bathroom must comply with items 1-12

Neither A nor B

What is required for powder rooms?

Accessible route, doors, water closets, lavatories, vanities, mirrors, and towel fixtures, strike edge maneuvering space, and reinforced walls for grab bars. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for bathtubs?

Reinforced walls or grab bars, controls on the wall at the foot of the bathtub, and clear floor space. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum height of thresholds in showers?

1/2 inch Signup and view all the answers

What is required for water closets?

Floor space of 36"W x 48"D, reinforced walls for grab bars, seat height of at least 15", and controls not exceeding 44" high. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for lavatories, vanities, mirrors, and towel fixtures?

Location, floor space, cabinets, knee and toe space, finished floor, plumbing protection, and lavatory faucet controls. Signup and view all the answers

Knee and toe space shall be provided by one of three methods.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is required for lavatory faucet controls?

Operable by one hand, not requiring tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, and maximum 5# force to operate. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for mirrors and towel fixtures?

Bottom edge shall be no higher than 40" above the floor. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum height for electrical and control heights?

48" Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum height for electrical and control heights?

15" Signup and view all the answers

What are the exceptions for controls not covered?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What are the three site impracticality tests?

Individual Building Test, Site Analysis Test, and Unusual Characteristics Test Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between accessible and adaptable units?

Adaptable units are for FHA and 11A, while mobility units are for 11B and ADAS. Signup and view all the answers

What type of dwellings are subject to Section 1101A.1?

Newly-constructed covered multifamily dwellings (CMDU's), new common use areas, additions, and new common-use areas serving CMDU's. Signup and view all the answers

Public accommodations are subject to Section 1101A.1.

False Signup and view all the answers

What types of buildings shall be accessible according to Section 1102A.1?

All buildings and facilities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following buildings are subject to Section 1102A.1?

Apartment buildings with 3 or more dwelling units Signup and view all the answers

What happens to alterations of buildings constructed prior to the first occupancy date?

They are not subject to current accessibility requirements. Signup and view all the answers

Additions to buildings are subject to the requirements of CBC Chapter 11A.

True Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of multistory dwelling units on the ground floor of buildings without elevators shall provide specific features?

At least 10% but not less than one. Signup and view all the answers

What is an adaptable dwelling unit?

An accessible dwelling unit within a covered multifamily building as designed with elements and spaces allowing the dwelling unit to be adapted or adjusted to accommodate the user. Signup and view all the answers

What is a bathroom according to Section 1107A?

A room which includes a water closet (toilet), a lavatory, and a bathtub and/or a shower. Signup and view all the answers

What is a carriage unit?

Living space is located on one or more floors directly above a private garage, with the footprint of the garage used for all floors, and the garage level contains no habitable space. Signup and view all the answers

What are common use areas?

Areas limited exclusively to owners, residents, and their guests, including indoor or exterior rooms, spaces, or elements. Signup and view all the answers

What is equivalent facilitation?

The use of designs, products or technologies as alternatives to those prescribed, resulting in substantially equivalent or greater access. Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for parking facilities?

At least 5 percent of the parking spaces shall be accessible and provide access to grade-level entrances of covered multifamily dwellings and facilities. Signup and view all the answers

Where shall accessible parking spaces be located?

On the shortest possible accessible route to the building entrance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum vertical clearance required for entrances, exits, and vehicular passageways to and from accessible parking spaces?

8 feet 2 inches. Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for covered dwelling units?

They shall be adaptable and accessible into and throughout the dwelling unit. Signup and view all the answers

What is an accessible route within dwelling units?

A path that provides access through all rooms and spaces, including the primary entry door, and connects with all additional exterior doors. Signup and view all the answers

What are the requirements for doors and doorways?

Doors shall have specific width, height, floor landings, thresholds, maneuvering clearances, closure effort, type of lock or latch, hardware, door surfaces, and door signal devices. Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for kitchen countertops?

A minimum of 30 linear inches shall be provided for the kitchen sink installation, and a minimum of 30 linear inches shall be provided for a work surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for repositionable countertops?

They shall be provided in a minimum of 5% of the total units, and shall be repositionable to 28 inches above the floor. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Application and Scope

Application of Section 1101A: newly constructed covered multifamily dwellings (CMDU's), new common use areas, additions, and new common-use areas serving CMDU's.
Does not apply to public accommodations, public use areas, and public housing.

Building Accessibility

All buildings and facilities shall be accessible, with each building on the site considered separately.
Applies to:
- Apartment buildings with 3 or more dwelling units
- Condominiums with 4 or more dwelling units
- Lodging houses with 4 to 5 guest rooms
- Congregate residences with 3 or more sleeping units
- Dwellings with 3 or more efficiency units
- Shelters for homeless persons
- Dormitories with 3 or more guest rooms
- Timeshare dwellings with 3 or more units
- Other Group R occupancies in covered multifamily dwellings regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal

Existing Buildings

Alterations of buildings constructed prior to first occupancy date are not subject to current accessibility requirements.
Buildings constructed prior to March 13, 1991, shall maintain the accessibility standards in effect at the time of construction.

Multistory Dwellings

Applies to multistory dwelling units on the ground floor of buildings without elevators, where the application for a construction permit is submitted on or after July 1, 2005.
At least 10% but not less than one of the total dwelling units on a site shall provide:
- Primary entrance on an accessible route
- At least one powder room or bathroom on the primary entry level
- All rooms or spaces on the primary entry level on an accessible route
- Common and public use areas accessible

Covered Multifamily Dwellings

Where the first floor containing dwelling units in a building is above grade, all units on that floor shall be served by an accessible route.
Exception: Carriage units

Key Definitions

Adaptable dwelling unit: an accessible dwelling unit within a covered multifamily building as designed with elements and spaces allowing the dwelling unit to be adapted or adjusted to accommodate the user.
Bathroom: a room which includes a water closet, a lavatory, and a bathtub and/or a shower.
Carriage unit: living space located on one or more floors directly above a private garage.
Common use areas: areas limited exclusively to owners, residents, and their guests.
Equivalent facilitation: the use of designs, products, or technologies as alternatives to those prescribed, resulting in substantially equivalent or greater accessibility and usability.
Multistory dwelling unit: a dwelling unit with finished living space located on one floor and the floor or floors immediately above or below it.
Newly constructed: never before been used or occupied for any purpose.
Operable part: a component of an element used to insert or withdraw objects or to activate, deactivate, or adjust the element.
Public entity: any State or local government; any department, agency, special-purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or local government.
Public use areas: interior or exterior rooms or spaces of a building that are made available to the general public.

Parking Facilities

Parking facilities shall include garages, private garages, carports, and off-street parking.
Private garages shall be accessible, with an exception for a private garage attached to and directly serving a single covered multifamily dwelling unit.
Accessible parking spaces shall be provided at a minimum rate of 2% of the covered multifamily dwelling units.
Entrances, exits, and vehicular passageways to and from required accessible parking spaces shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 8 feet 2 inches.

Doors

Interior doors and secondary exterior doors shall be adaptable and accessible.
Doors exposed to common use areas or public spaces shall comply with Section 1126A.
Doors shall have a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches.
Thresholds shall not exceed 1/2 inch for primary entry and required exit doors.
Doors shall have a maximum closure effort of 5 pounds.
Hand-activated door hardware shall be centered between 30 inches and 44 inches above the floor.

Kitchens

Clear floor space shall be provided at kitchen appliances and fixtures.
Removable base cabinets shall be provided at sinks and work surfaces.
Countertops shall be a minimum of 30 inches wide and 48 inches long.
Repositionable countertops shall be provided in a minimum of 5% of the total units.
Lower shelving shall be provided no more than 48 inches above the floor.
Sink faucet controls shall be operable with one hand and not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting.

Bathing and Toilet Facilities

At least one bathroom in the dwelling unit shall comply with Section 1134A.
Powder rooms shall have an accessible route, doors, and water closets.
Bathtubs shall have reinforced walls and grab bars, and controls shall be on the wall at the foot of the bathtub.
Clear floor space shall be provided in front of lavatories, toilets, and bathtubs.### Bathing and Toilet Facilities
Showers: same as or similar to CBC Chapter 11B Requirements, with reinforced walls or grab bars required, and centerline of sprayer or controls at 24" not 27"
Thresholds: 1/2 inch or less in height, with beveled or sloped angle not exceeding 1 unit vertical in 1 unit horizontal (45 degrees from the horizontal)

Water Closet

Floor space: 36"Wx48"D, with reinforced walls for grab bars, and seat height minimum 15"
Controls: maximum 44" high, maximum 5# force, and centerline 16"-18" from grab bar wall or partition
Bathroom configurations: permit the installation of grab bars on at least one side of the fixture

Lavatories, Vanities, Mirrors, and Towel Fixtures

Same as or similar to CBC Chapter 11B Requirements
Location, floor space, cabinets, knee and toe space, finished floor, and plumbing protection are considered
Lavatory faucet controls: operable by one hand, not requiring tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, and maximum 5# force to operate
Self-closing valves: remain open ≥ 10 seconds
Mirrors and towel fixtures: bottom edge no higher than 40" above the floor

Knee and Toe Space

Provided by one of the following: clear and unobstructed space, removable cabinet, or removable or openable doors
Centered on the fixture, complying with Section 1138A.2
Clear floor space: does not extend into the knee and toe space more than 19 inches

Electrical and Control Heights

Maximum height: 48", minimum height: 15"
Reach range language: in Section 1138A.3
Comparable outlets and controls, with receptacle and appliance exceptions

Controls Not Covered

Controls on movable appliances
Hoods over ranges
Special use wall outlets
Telephone jacks
Circuit breaker panels

Site Impracticality Tests

Test #1: Individual Building Test
Test #2: Site Analysis Test
Test #3: Unusual Characteristics Test

Division V Site Impracticality Tests

Applies to buildings without elevators on sites with difficult terrain conditions or unusual characteristics
Not applicable for townhomes in non-elevator buildings
Refer to FHAA Design Manual

Accessible or Adaptable?

Adaptable Units: 11A/FHA
Mobility Units: 11B/ADAS
"Accessible Units" is a term used by generalists
To be a specialist (CASp), know the difference between adaptable and accessible units

Accessible or Adaptable? Additional Tips

Start by looking for the number of units on an accessible route
Determine the number of multistory units and single-story units, and treat them separately
The 10% rule only applies to multistory dwelling units
Don't confuse "multistory dwelling unit" with "multistory building"

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Description

This quiz covers essential plumbing requirements for kitchen sinks, bathrooms, powder rooms, and bathtubs. It also addresses safe practices regarding water supply and drainage pipes, as well as threshold height in showers. Test your knowledge on these important plumbing standards!