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    Designing for The 2010 ADA for Accessible Design in Multiple Building Types.

     

    Location of Diaper Changing Stations

    Posted on - Friday, March 1st, 2019

    Diaper Changing Stations

    #ADAFact: Diaper changing stations must be compliant with the 2010 ADA section 902, and be able to be used by persons with disabilities.
     In this blog, we will explore the proper locations of a diaper changing station within the restroom, which will allow the technical requirements to be met without creating any other accessibility issues.

    The Location could affect Clear Floor Space

    One of the requirements is for the diaper changing station to have a forward approach knee space. The location of the table or counter must not have anything in front of it which will impede the forward approach
    This baby changing station does not have a clear forward approach because the toilet is in the way
    Can the diaper changing station be inside a toilet compartment?  Yes, as long as there is enough room for a forward approach. Even though it is not a violation to have the only diaper changing station in the accessible stall, it would be recommended that it be located so that most of the public can use it without having to wait for the stall to be freed up.
     
    The diaper changing station in the photo above is located in the toilet compartment_ but it has plenty of room after entering to have a forward approach

    The Location could affect Door Clearance

    When locating the diaper changing station on a wall within a single user restroom, it is important to locate it so that it is not in the way of the door maneuvering clearance.  The door should be able to swing clear of the diaper changing station like it is shown on the drawing below 
    Not only do we have to be concerned about the diaper changing station when it is closed, but also when it is open.  If the diaper changing station is left open and a person in a wheelchair wants to come into the restroom, they would have a hard time maneuvering through the door since there is not a clear 60 of floor space.

    the open diaper changing station is in the way of the
    60 inches of required clearance to enter the restroom
    this diaper changing counter is in the way of the 18 inches minimum required at the pull side of the door

     

    Possible Protruding Objects

    Depending on where the diaper changing counter is located it might be considered a protruding object when open (or closed).  If the person who might have been using it forgets to close it and a person who is visually impaired enters the restroom, if the counter is mounted so that the bottom edge is higher than 27″ a.f.f. then the counter will be an undetectable hazard and a protruding object. This was explained by TDLR in a  Technical MemoTM 2013-15 published in June 2013.
    This open counter is higher than 27″ a.f.f. and is located in the way to the toilet. Therefore, it is considered a protruding object

     
    The solution would be to either mount the counter so that the bottom edge is EXACTLY 27″ a.f.f. which provides the required knee clearance, but also allows it to be cane-detectable.  Or it can be relocated away from the circulation path.