Dimension Guide for Commercial Bathroom Stalls

If you are a homeowner, bathroom stall measurements are probably the least of your concerns. However, if you own a commercial company or a structure that contains a public restroom, you must be mindful of the bathroom stalls‘ dimensions.

Knowing about the appropriate dimensions of bathroom stalls can facilitate you in guaranteeing that the bathroom stalls under your ownership or custody are accessible to the public in a safe manner and can be used comfortably.

A Closer Look at Bathroom Stalls

Before we discuss the recommended stall dimensions, let us first look more closely at what bathroom stalls are. A bathroom stall is a confined space equipped with a toilet or a urinal for public use. Bathroom stalls are said to have originated and been first used in ancient Rome. Apart from toilet paper, a bathroom stall’s extra amenities include a trash bin, garment hook, and toilet seat coverings. Nowadays, public restrooms are frequently installed with numerous bathroom stalls. These are divided into male and female facilities. Additionally, wheelchair-accessible restroom cubicles are common as well. Typical features comprise grab bars, considerably larger doors, and adequate space within the stall for users to move. In most African and Asian countries, squat toilets are more common because they are deemed to be more sanitary.

What is the Standard Dimension of Bathroom Stalls?

Bathroom stalls must adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA that was passed in 1990 as a law. This law mandates that all businesses must modify the facilities in their building to make them accessible to people with disabilities. This does not just apply to bathroom stalls; it also applies to other facilities in all public areas like the entrances and exits and access to various areas. Bathroom stalls must be at a minimum of 152 centimeters or 60 inches wide to comply with the ADA regulation. The width of the door must be between 34 to 36 inches to allow for easy access to a wheelchair. A wall-mounted toilet’s standard depth would be 56 inches. On the other hand, if the toilet is mounted on the floor, it must be, at the least, 59 inches in depth.

The bathroom stall wall or the divider is typically 58 inches tall without pilasters. Both the doors and the dividers should be placed 12 inches above the floor. Providing 12 inches of extra space would be a great help when it comes to cleaning and properly sanitizing the bathroom stalls. A grab bar would be a must-have in an ADA bathroom since this will help in preventing injuries and accidents such as slips and falls. The length of the grab bar inside the bathroom stall must be at least 36 inches. It should not be further than six inches from the back wall’s corner. The average height of a grab bar is somewhere between 33 or 36 inches. This setup keeps the grab bar on the safe side.

Different Kinds of Bathroom Stalls

While you may not notice it, bathroom stalls vary considerably in terms of their design, the materials that are used, and the type of installation. In the United States, there are four distinct styles of bathroom stalls. Regardless of the style you will choose to use for your commercial building, it must comply with ADA regulations and the standard dimensions for bathroom stalls.

1. The first style of a bathroom stall would be the overhead braced or the floor-anchored stall. It has an 82-inch or two-meter-tall pilasters, and, as indicated by the stall’s name, it should be anchored or mounted to the floor. Additionally, the floor-anchored bathroom stalls extend up to the ceiling. A rail is also provided to facilitate             connection to the pilasters. Besides this, it must extend 12 inches above the top of the door.
2. The ceiling bar type of bathroom stall provides security and appropriate support for high-traffic areas, notably those seen in malls and commercial businesses in urban areas. This is the most popular and least priced style of a bathroom stall. These are stalls suspended from the ceiling (ceiling-hung). This stall form lacks floor pillars. The entire structure of the stall is suspended from the ceiling. The key feature of this type of bathroom stall arrangement is that there are no obstructions on the floor. As a result, they are simple to clean and maintain. This style of bathroom stall placement creates a modern, levitating aesthetic. It might give your restroom a futuristic feel. The disadvantage is that it would cost you somewhat more due to the necessity to attach an additional ceiling steel framework for support for its installation. However, one may claim that reduced maintenance expenditures recoup the additional expense.
3. There are also floor-mounted bathroom stalls, which are a more economical choice. It features columns that reach a conventional height of 70 inches from the floor. The stalls usually lean slightly toward the floor, leaving the top area unobstructed. Additionally, this style of a stall is simple to install, requiring only 12 inches of wall penetration. Although they are inexpensive, floor-mounted stalls are rendered outdated nowadays.
4. Finally, there are bathroom stalls that are anchored from floor to ceiling. This is considered as the sturdiest method of installing a bathroom stall. It is furnished with both floor and ceiling support. Having these features, this is the most practical and appropriate choice for public restrooms.This bathroom stall’s resistant doors and panels are 12 inches from the floor. This is the preferred choice or installation type for commercial establishments because of its durability. However, it may not be appropriate for use or installation for schools with a high vandalism rate.

Conclusion

The standard dimensions of bathroom stalls have been specified for a good reason. With population growth, particularly in metropolitan areas, the demand for public bathrooms increases as well. Understanding standard bathroom stall dimensions are only the tip of the iceberg of a property manager’s or company owner’s compliance efforts with government regulations. Obviously, if you intend to install public toilets or facilities in your business establishment, you must adhere to local and federal regulations.