This guide explains requirements in the ADA Standards for lavatories and sinks.
Notational tips for users of screen reading software follow. In this document ″ indicates inches and ′ indicates feet. Some images are paired with visually hidden notes.  These annotations are prefaced with begin and end image notes.
Required Compliance
[§212, §213.3.4]
The Standards cover access to sink and to lavatories, which are sinks used for handwashing in toilet and bathing facilities. At least one lavatory, where provided, must comply in each accessible toilet or bathing room and be located outside a toilet compartment.
Where sinks are provided in accessible rooms or spaces, at least 5%, but no less than one, of each type must comply. This provision applies to sinks in breakrooms, kitchens and kitchenettes, classrooms, and other spaces required to be accessible. Mop or service sinks, which are intended to be used for janitorial or maintenance purposes, are exempt. Other types of sinks used only by employees to perform work are not required to comply (§203.9), although compliance is advisable.
Lavatories
[§606]
Specifications for lavatories address clear floor space for a forward approach, height, faucets, and exposed pipes and surfaces. The Standards also address mirrors, where provided.
Sinks
[§606]
Sinks are subject to the same criteria as lavatories, but some sinks are permitted a parallel approach instead of a forward approach. In kitchens, kitchenettes, and breakrooms without a cooktop or conventional range, a parallel approach is permitted at kitchen sinks (§606.2, Ex. 1). A parallel approach is also permitted at wet bars (i.e., bars or counters that have sinks with running water and are used for mixing drinks). Where multi-bowl sinks are provided, only one bowl must comply with knee and toe space clearance (§606.2, Ex. 7).
Lavatories and Sinks in Residential Dwelling Units
[§606.2, §606.3]
In mobility accessible dwelling units, lavatories and sinks must comply. Additional exceptions are permitted for fixtures in these facilities.
Exceptions for Lavatories and Sinks in Residential Dwelling Units
Lavatory knee and toe space
Kitchen sinks that are adjustable to 29″ minimum and 36″ maximum height are allowed if rough-in plumbing permits connections of supply and drainage pipes for sinks mounted at 29″ high (§606.3, Ex. 2).
Lavatories and Sinks for Children’s Use
Specifications based on children’s dimensions may be followed when lavatories or sinks are designed primarily for use by children ages 12 and younger. Structured as exceptions, these provisions are optional and serve as alternatives to adult-based dimensions. The Standards do not require building elements, including lavatories and sinks, to be designed or constructed for use primarily by children. This determination is left to other building requirements or regulations, good practice, client preference, or other factors. Exceptions are provided based on two age groups: children 6 to 12 years and children 5 years and younger.
A parallel approach is permitted to lavatories or sinks used primarily by children 5 and younger (§606.2, Ex. 5). For this age group, the standard fixture height is too low to accommodate a forward approach.
Sink for Children Ages 5 and Younger
A forward approach is required at lavatories and sinks primarily used by children 6 through 12. However, a lower knee clearance (24″ minimum) is permitted if the rim or counter surface is no higher than 31″ above the finish floor or ground (§606.2, Ex. 4).
Clear Floor or Ground Space
[§606.2, §305]
Clear floor space at lavatories and most sinks must provide a forward approach and include knee and toe space clearance. It is advisable, but not required, that the clear floor space be centered under the fixture. The knee and toe space must underlie the bowl, faucet controls, and other operable parts of the fixture and must be 17″ to 25″ deep. If the clear floor space is obstructed on both sides for more than half the depth, such as with alcoves, additional clearance is required for maneuvering.
No element, including towel dispensers, hand dryers, etc., can overlap the clear floor space outside the designated knee and toe space.
Knee and Toe Clearances
Knee and toe space must be at least 30″ wide and 17″ to 25″ deep from the leading edge of the clear floor space. These specified clearances allow space for plumbing, enclosures, and supports outside the minimum clearances. No object may protrude into the required clearances other than the dip of the overflow.
Beyond a depth of 8″ measured from the leading edge, the 27″ minimum high knee clearance can reduce 18″ to a height of 9″ minimum (toe space) over a 3″ span (6:1 slope). When the knee and toe is deeper than 17″, the additional depth must provide full knee clearance at least 27″ high.
Knee and Toe Space and Reach Depth
The knee and toe space must be as deep as the required reach to faucet controls, soap dispensers, and other operable parts. This requirement is necessary because the forward reach for most people typically does not extend beyond the toes. Open space beyond the required toe clearance is permitted.
To avoid issues with garbage disposals protruding into knee and toe space, use a sink with a drain located at the rear of the bowl instead of the center. At sinks with two bowls, knee and toe space is required beneath only one bowl (§606.2, Ex. 7).
Reach at a Lavatory
The maximum reach of 48″ is reduced to 44″ when the depth of the forward reach over an obstruction exceeds 20″.
Faucets and Operable Parts
[§606.4, §205, §309]
Faucet controls, soap dispensers, and other elements that require manual operation must be usable with one hand and not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, or more than five pounds of force (lbf) to operate. Metering faucets with manual or touch controls must remain open for at least 10 seconds.
Motion-activated or touch-free faucets and dispensers provide easier access and accommodate a broader range of users. This type of control does not have to remain active for a minimum amount of time.
Exposed Pipes and Surfaces
[§606.5]
To avoid injury or burns, water supply and drainage pipes under lavatories and sinks must be insulated, enclosed, or configured to prevent contact. There cannot be sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatories and sinks. Enclosure of pipes and surfaces must comply with knee and toe space clearance.
Common Questions
What type of sinks are exempt as “service sinks”?
As used in the Standards, the term “service sinks” is similar in meaning as “mop sinks” and refers to sinks used for janitorial or maintenance purposes.
Are work use sinks required to comply?
Sinks and other elements used only by employees for work are not required to comply (§203.9). Examples include sinks in restaurant kitchens and in laboratories not used for instruction. Providing access to work use sinks is advisable. Sinks in public and common use spaces not used solely by employees for work, including classrooms and laboratories used for instruction, must comply. Where multiple sinks are provided, at least 5%, but no less than one, of each type must comply (§212.3).
Are laundry room sinks required to comply?
Sinks in laundry facilities not used solely by employees for work, such as those provided for use by residents or guests in residential facilities, dormitories, and other transient lodging, must comply. Those located in commercial laundry facilities and used only by employees, as well as mop or service sinks located in laundry rooms, are not required to comply.
Must the clear floor space at lavatories and sinks be centered?
No. It is advisable, though not required, that the clear floor space be nominally centered on the fixture. However, the clear floor space must fully underlie the fixture.
When must sinks or lavatories be designed for use by children?
The Standards do not specify where sinks or lavatories must be designed specifically for children. This determination is usually made based on other building codes or regulations, good practice, client preference, or other factors. Instead, the Standards provide exceptions that can be used when the decision is made to design fixtures for use primarily by children ages 12 and younger.
Can pipes, garbage disposals, or other elements protrude into the knee or toe clearance?
No. Only the dip of the overflow is permitted within the required knee and toe clearance.
Does space beyond the 6″ maximum toe space need to be enclosed?
No, it does not need to be enclosed. Open space beyond the 6″ maximum toe space is permitted.
How can garbage disposals be accommodated at sinks?
One option is to select a sink with a drain located at the rear of the bowl instead of the center. Another option is a two-bowl sink where knee and toe space is provided below only one bowl.
Is the exception permitting a side approach to certain kitchen sinks applicable only to those located in kitchens?
The exception applies to kitchen sinks (i.e., used for food preparation or cooking) located in break rooms, kitchenettes and kitchens, party rooms, and similar spaces if they do not contain a cooktop or range. Other types of cooking appliances, including microwave ovens, do not impact application of this exception.
Can a lavatory be located outside of a toilet room?
Yes. The Standards do not prohibit location of lavatories outside toilet rooms where permitted by codes and other regulations.
Can a lavatory be provided in a wheelchair accessible toilet compartment?
Yes. However, the toilet compartment must meet requirements for toilet rooms, including turning space (§604.8). A second accessible lavatory must be provided outside the compartment (§213.3.4).
Are touch-free (motion sensor) faucets required to remain open for at least 10 seconds?
No. Manually operated faucet controls that are metered and activate for a set period of time must remain open for at least 10 seconds. Motion-activated faucet controls are not required to remain open for a minimum duration.
Can accessible mirrors be located above lavatories?
Yes. Accessible mirrors can be located above lavatories or countertops if the bottom of the reflecting surface is 40″ maximum above the finish floor (§603.3). The bottom of the reflecting surface of mirrors not located above lavatories or countertops must be 35″ maximum above the finish floor.
If a toilet room has a full-length mirror and a mirror above a countertop or lavatory, must both types comply?
No. The Standards require only one mirror in a toilet room to comply. If mirrors are provided above lavatories or counters and at other locations in a toilet room, it is advisable, but not required, that one of each type comply.
Are lavatories and sinks provided at outdoor locations required to comply with the Standards?
Yes. At both indoor or outdoor locations, lavatories and sinks that serve accessible facilities or spaces, including, but not limited to, fishing piers, recreational boating facilities, and picnic and camping facilities, must comply.
Are eyewash stations required to be accessible?
Yes. Eye wash stations must comply as operable parts (§309), including requirements for clear floor space and controls that are within accessible reach range and operable without tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, or more than 5lbf. Products that are usable while standing and from seated positions, including forward approach access at those with basins or bowls, are recommended for greater usability.
September 2021
FAQs
What are the ADA requirements for lavatories? ›
To avoid injury or burns, water supply and drainage pipes under lavatories and sinks must be insulated, enclosed, or configured to prevent contact. There cannot be sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatories and sinks. Enclosure of pipes and surfaces must comply with knee and toe space clearance.
What is ADA code for bathroom sinks? ›Sinks & Faucets
To meet ADA guidelines, sinks shouldn't be mounted higher than 34 inches from the floor, and they should have a knee clearance of 27 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 11 to 25 inches deep. You also need a clear floor space and insulated pipes under the sink.
The maximum height of the lavatory is 34 inches (865 mm). The bottom edge of a wall-mounted mirror must be mounted no more than 40 inches (1015 mm) above the floor.
How many ADA sinks are required? ›At least one sink in each ADA compliant bathroom must meet these minimum requirements. The ADA sink must have a centered clear floor space of at least 30 inches x 48 inches, not including the required knee and toe clearances (see below).
What is ADA compliance for sinks? ›Your sink must be mounted no higher than 34-inches off the floor. There must be 27 x 30 inches of knee clearance below the sink. There must be 11-25 inches of knee depth below the sink. The floor space below the sink must be clear and unobstructed.
What are ADA requirements for sink cabinets? ›28” to 34” inches high: The sink in your ADA kitchen must be anywhere between 28” to 34” off the ground. This means you need to account for the cabinet itself and the countertop. Because our ADA cabinets are 32 ½” high, they're in perfect compliance for an ADA sink while leaving plenty of room for the countertop.
How many sinks per toilet? ›Where the majority of pupils are over 11: Washrooms with 1 toilet must contain at least 1 washbasin; Washrooms with 2 toilets must contain at least 2 washbasins; Washrooms with 3 or more toilets must have at least two thirds the number of washbasins as there are toilets.
Do breakroom sinks need to be ADA compliant? ›So, if a break room has no fixed “cooking facilities” within, then it is not considered a “kitchen” and therefore it must have a proper knee clearance at the sink.
What is the maximum height of an ADA compliant sink or lavatory? ›606.3 Height.
Lavatories and sinks shall be installed with the front of the higher of the rim or counter surface 34 inches (865 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.
Supply line (horizontal): 4 inches to left and right of the centerline, respectively. Discharge/drain hole (vertical): 16-20 inches from floor. Fixture (side to side buffer): 15 inches minimum from centerline, 20 inches recommended.
Is chair height toilet ADA? ›
ADA-compliant chair height is a minimum of 17 inches and a maximum of 19 inches from the finished floor to the top of the toilet seat. Standard height toilets are typically 14 to 15 inches in height.
What is the height for a child sink? ›For toddlers and preschoolers, the maximum toilet height should be eleven inches, and maximum height for hand sinks should be twenty-two inches. Urinals should not exceed 30% of the total required toilet fixtures and should be used by one child at a time.
Do you need 2 sinks in a commercial kitchen? ›Even the smallest restaurant requires at least two sinks, and many establishments need three. Large commercial kitchens may have several. You need at least one double sink for washing and rinsing equipment. You are required to have at least one more sink for washing hands.
Is a lavatory a sink? ›During the past, the term “lavatory” was used to refer to wash basins while the term “sink” was used to refer to a shallow waste pit. As of today, the term “lavatory” refers to facilities that allow us to excrete our urine and waste such as the toilet. And the term “sink” is used to refer to wash basins.
Why do people need 2 sinks? ›The most common reason to choose a double sink is that you need more space because you share the bathroom with another person. "Couples these days usually prefer the idea of two sinks for one simple reason," architect Thayer Hopkins told Houzz. "They lead busy lives and need access to the bathroom at the same time."
What is a code sink? ›In software engineering
An event sink is a class or function designed to receive incoming events from another object or function. This is commonly implemented in C++ as callbacks. Other object-oriented languages, such as Java and C#, have built-in support for sinks by allowing events to be fired to delegate functions.
Sinks required to be accessible by 4.1 shall comply with 4.24. 4.24. 2 Height. Sinks shall be mounted with the counter or rim no higher than 34 in (865 mm) above the finish floor.
How high does a sink need to be for a wheelchair? ›Height and Clearance
Additionally, there should be a space below the sink of at least 29 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 25 inches deep to accommodate knee room. These measurements reduce by about five inches for children. Finally, there must be a cleared space of 30 inches by 48 inches around the sink.
Yes. A garbage disposal can be installed in this sink.
How many gallons of water does a toilet use per flush? ›Flush Facts
Recent advancements have allowed toilets to use 1.28 gallons per flush or less while still providing equal or superior performance. This is 20 percent less water than the current federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush.
Can 2 bathroom sinks share the same drain? ›
In most cases, you can easily adapt the supply and drain pipes to accommodate two sinks, using tee fittings, special valves, extension pipes and hoses. You may have to vent each sink separately, though, depending on your local plumbing codes.
Do you need 2 sinks in a master bathroom? ›There's a common assumption that master bathrooms must have a double vanity. While it's true that most homeowners do choose to include two sinks or a double vanity in their bathroom remodel, there are times when one sink is actually preferred and has a few great benefits as well. Privacy.
What sinks are required in a commercial kitchen? ›At least one utility sink, for the cleaning of mops and for the disposal of mop water or similar liquid waste, is required. The use of utensil washing or equipment washing sinks or food preparation sinks for this purpose is prohibited.
What are ADA guidelines for kitchens? ›From doors and doorways, sinks/sinks counters, cabinets/cabinets countertops height, oven heights (or other cooking surfaces), upper shelves in storage areas can't be taller than 36 inches high or 18 inches where there is a 30 inch-plus eating surface between 15 inches and 80 feet above floor level.)
Are pedestal sinks considered ADA compliant? ›A: ADA Compliant Pedestal sinks are not outdated. There are traditional, transitional and modern styles to fit any aesthetic. ADA Compliant Pedestal sinks are ideal for powder rooms and small bathrooms that don't need storage.
What is the maximum height for a bathroom sink? ›Standard Sink Heights
Standard bathroom sink heights range from 29 inches to as much as 36 inches high, depending upon personal preference and the type of sink. For example, pedestal sinks are built between 29 and 33 inches high, while bathroom vanity cabinets with set-in sinks range from 30 to 36 inches in height.
Cold water should always be on the right side of the faucet and hot on the left. This is an industry standard throughout North America, and applies to single lever as well as dual faucets. When indoor plumbing was first introduced, there was one option that came out of the hand pump: cold water.
How far below the bottom of a sink should the drain pipe be? ›The standard kitchen sink is 8 inches deep, which means that the normal distance between a kitchen sink drain and the floor is 28 inches. This will vary, depending on the height of the counter and the depth of the sink bowl. In the bathroom, the sink drain is typically between 24 inches above the floor.
What height toilet is best for seniors? ›While a standard toilet typically measures 15 or 16 inches from the floor to the top of the seat, comfort toilet heights are 17 to 19 inches. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifies that the height of a disabled toilet must be within this range.
What is ADA requirements for toilet seats? ›ADA Requirements
The seat height of a water closet above the finish floor shall be 17 inches (430 mm) minimum and 19 inches (485 mm) maximum measured to the top of the seat. Seats shall not be sprung to return to a lifted position.
How many toilets required in a school? ›
It is recommended to stakeholders: LGAs and Ministries of Education, Environment, Health, Water, Gender and Children to collaborate and ensure one latrine for every 20 girls and one latrine for every 25 boys in all schools.
What is the standard height from floor to the top of the sink? ›Measuring from floor to the top lip of the basin, the standard height of a bathroom basin is often quoted by the plumbing trade to be around 80-85cm.
Can a mop sink be in a commercial kitchen? ›Every commercial kitchen, restaurant, hotel, and food related business is required to have a mop sink, or an area not meant for any food products, but for cleaning tools and dumping dirty water from mop buckets.
Are double-bowl sinks outdated? ›Double-bowl sinks aren't generally used that way anymore, since dishwashers took over. It's also common to keep a rack in the second sink where washed items can air-dry; some double-bowl units come with an integrated cutting board that fits over one sink for extra work surface.
Why do commercial kitchens have 3 sinks? ›The three sink method is the manual procedure for cleaning and sanitizing dishes in commercial settings. Rather than providing additional workspace to perform the same function, the three compartments allow kitchen staff to wash, rinse, and sanitize dishes.
Is a toilet a lavatory? ›"Lavatory" (from the Latin lavatorium, "wash basin" or "washroom") was common in the 19th century and is still broadly understood, although it is taken as quite formal in American English, and more often refers to public toilets in Britain. The contraction "lav" is commonly used in British English.
What does lavatories mean? ›/ˈlæv.ə.tɔːr.i/ a toilet. Parts of buildings: the toilet. bathroom.
What are the types of lavatory? ›- Lavatories Installation Types. ...
- Pedestal Bathroom Lavatories. ...
- Wall-Mount Bathroom Lavatories. ...
- Vessel & Shallow-Basin Bathroom Lavatories. ...
- Under-Mount Bathroom Lavatories. ...
- Drop-In Bathroom Lavatories. ...
- Next: Learn about Lavatory Design.
The second, smaller bowl is ideal for allowing you to continue using your tap without obstruction, should the main bowl be in use. It's the perfect place for washing vegetables, or simply pouring a drink whilst the main bowl is full of washing up.
Why is the sink important? ›Sinks allow for food preparation, washing, and cutting, and the best sink design should make these tasks as efficient as possible.
Why are sinks divided? ›
The main draw is that the sections allow you to easily use the different sides for separate purposes. With a double bowl sink, you can: Use one side for food prep and one side for washing dishes as you go or for stashing dirty dishes until you can get to them. Soak dishes in one side while you wash in the other side.
What is the width of an ADA lavatory? ›In general, minimum accessible bathroom size is 60 inches wide by 56 inches deep plus clearance space for fixtures. Adding more fixtures or door swings will demand more space and a larger bathroom. ADA standards do not specify an exact room size.
What is ADA compliance for toilets? ›The key to ADA compliance toilets is choosing well made and durable products that are easy to use and will require minimal physical efforts. Toilets with an undercut bowl are recommended by the ADA because of the requirement for toe clearance. Consider the placement of the toilet closer to walls in the bathroom.
What are ADA requirements for faucet handles? ›The handle should turn easily.
The ADA requires that a person must be able to turn on a water faucet without twisting or straining the wrist and using less than 5 lbs of force.
1 Water closets, urinals, lavatories and bidets. A water closet, urinal, lavatory or bidet shall not be set closer than 15 inches (381 mm) from its center to any side wall, partition, vanity or other ob- struction.
What is the minimum ADA sink width? ›Clearance requirement: A 40-inch clear width is required in a pass-through kitchen; a 60-inch clear width is required in a U-shaped kitchen, as measured from the furthest projection points.
What is the standard sink height? ›Bathroom sinks can be found in ranging heights from 29” to 36” high, depending on your preference and height needs. For more specifics, bathroom vanity cabinets with set-in sinks might sit between 30” and 36”, whereas pedestal sinks are often built between 29” and 33” high.
What is ADA requirement for bathroom faucet? ›Faucets must meet ADA reach range and mounting height requirements. A 48-inch-high limitation is required for all accessories (except those mounted over obstructions), including lavatory fixtures, which are more than 20 inches deep. At 20 to 25 inches deep, a reach range of 44 inches applies.
What is ADA compliant equipment? ›Exercise and Therapy equipment designed to adhere to government standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. These items are handicapped accessible and user friendly.