Following ADA Regulations For Portable Toilets

Following ADA Regulations For Portable Toilets

When renting portable toilets for a public event, it’s vital to ensure that your facility caters to every guest’s needs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that prevents discrimination to citizens living with disabilities. The law provides a comprehensive set of regulations for public accommodations that all business owners must follow to allow equal access to people who are differently abled. Any business owner or event planner can benefit from learning about the ADA regulations to ensure that their sites are compliant and all guests feel welcome.

What Makes a Portable Toilet ADA-Compliant?

The ADA requirements for portable toilets and restrooms increase the ease of use for each restroom fixture. These regulations make it easier for individuals to maneuver in the stall, operate faucets with minimal force, and access sinks and toilets at appropriate heights.

For portable restrooms, an ADA-compliant stall must adhere to the following regulations:

  • The entrance must have a ramp.
  • Doors require a minimum clearance of 32″ to accommodate a wheelchair.
  • Hinged or magnetic doors are required to aid in closing the stall.
  • The unit must be labeled with a blue handicap placard with a braille inscription.
  • The pedestrian path to the unit must be continuous and unobstructed. (For example., you cannot place your rental on a curb.)
  • The interior of the unit must be large enough to complete a full 360-degree turn in a wheelchair.

How Many ADA-Accessible Units Do I Need?

For any public event, ADA guidelines stipulate that accessible units must make up at least 5% (1 in 20) of the total number of units. Additionally, in any cluster of portable toilets placed around the site, at least one must be an ADA-approved unit.

Keep in mind that portable toilet units rented for a construction site for the exclusive use of construction personnel are exempt from the 5% mandate.

In addition to accommodating people with disabilities, the increased interior space in ADA-compliant units could lend a hand to families with children who are too young to use the bathroom unassisted. If you anticipate a large number of families at your event, it may be worth investing in additional ADA-approved rentals.

ADA-Approved Unit vs. Handicap-Accessible Units

It’s important to note that all ADA-approved units are handicap accessible, but the reverse is not true. A handicap-accessible toilet must be wheelchair accessible but is not subject to the same level of regulation as an ADA-compliant toilet. For instance, the interior space only has to be large enough for a three-point wheelchair turn (as opposed to a 360-degree turn). The doors also don’t have to be hinged, so they may be difficult to close without assistance. Handicap-accessible units may be used for private events where ADA compliance is not necessary.

ASAP Site Services makes it easy to rent ADA-compliant portable toilets to ensure that every guest at your events will be taken care of. If you need more help determining the right number of units to rent, we’ll be happy to assist you.