Restroom Compliance: Why Precision Matters

Restrooms are one of the most common areas of non-compliance when it comes to ADA measurements. A critical example? The distance between the finished surface of a wall and the edge of a toilet bowl. It sounds simple, but in practice, it’s far from easy.

The Challenges Designers Face

Toilets vary widely in shape, from elongated bowls to compact designs. Add to that the complexities of new wall finishes—such as tile or other wainscot material—and the margin for error increases. Without precise measurements, designers may inadvertently create non-compliant restrooms, leading to expensive corrections down the road.

The Professional Solution: Building documentation professionals use as-built services and existing conditions surveys to provide the precise data designers need to meet ADA requirements. Here’s how:

1. Precise Measurement Tools: Experts use advanced technology to capture accurate measurements of walls, fixtures, and distances, eliminating guesswork.

   
   

2. Actionable Data for Compliance: A thorough existing conditions survey ensures designers know the exact dimensions they’re working with, including the impact of new finishes.

   
   

3. Risk Reduction: With reliable data, teams can plan confidently, avoiding costly retrofits and ensuring compliance from the start.

   
   

A Real-World Example

On a recent commercial renovation, a team used as-built services to document restroom dimensions down to millimeter accuracy. They discovered that the addition of a tiled wall finish would have placed a toilet just outside ADA compliance. Armed with this information, they adjusted the design before construction, saving the client thousands in potential rework and ensuring the space met accessibility standards.

Why It Matters

ADA compliance is about more than avoiding fines—it’s about creating spaces that work for everyone. Precise as-built services and a detailed existing conditions survey ensure you meet standards while avoiding unnecessary costs.

What’s Coming Next?

How accurate are your square footage calculations? In our next post, we’ll explore how proper documentation protects your leasing revenue by ensuring fair and defensible measurements. Stay tuned—you won’t want to miss it!