Toilet clearance to door - InspectionNews

Michael Thomas · #1 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 01:29 PM

As regards clearance to the front, is intermittent interference by a swinging door a code violation, or merely idiotic?

Jerry McCarthy · #2 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 02:33 PM

IRC Chart for bathroom fixture clearances.

Jim Zborowski · #3 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 06:08 PM

Only a problem if you're siting there when somebody whips the door open.

Jerry Peck · #4 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Zborowski

Only a problem if you're siting there when somebody whips the door open.

Looks like a 'private bathroom', i.e., like one you would find in a house

, and in which case it is 'mostly likely' that the door would be closed and locked when on the toilet. Thereby not creating a problem.

Michael Larson · #5 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 07:38 PM

The door isn't the problem.

It looks to be far less than a 30" space side to side.

Michael Thomas · #6 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry McCarthy

IRC Chart for bathroom fixture clearances.

Jerry,

Those are clearances to fixed objects, it's a movable door I'm wondering about.

Jerry Peck · #7 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

Jerry,

Those are clearances to fixed objects, it's a movable door I'm wondering about.

(from the other Jerry)

Michael,

The door is not a problem, if that is a multi-person bathroom, there would be a door to that stall, and, if it is a single-person bathroom, that door would be expected to be closed and locked (for the privacy for which there is a lock on that door) - which would preclude someone from 'just opening the door and intervening with someone using the toilet'.

End result - that door clearance is not a problem.

Jerry McCarthy · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 10:11 AM

I believe the IRC code clearly shows a minimum clearance of 21" in front of the WC (UPC 24") or am I missing something?

Jerry Peck · #9 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry McCarthy

I believe the IRC code clearly shows a minimum clearance of 21" in front of the WC (UPC 24") or am I missing something?

WCJ,

Has always been 21" in the codes I've had and worked under.

Randy Aldering · #10 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 06:28 PM

The clearance should be 21 inches in front. The door does not count. If there is a problem, it is poor design, or knees obstructing the operation of the door, or a privacy lock failure.

Jerry Peck · #11 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 07:06 PM

While we are on this topic, it is a good time to bring up something specifically related to it:

That 30" wide space, 15" to each side of center, and the 21" clearance in front of, are applicable at the same time.

I.e., that 30" wide space extends 21" in front of the front of the bowl.

I had many expensive custom homes where there was a 45 degree angled wall which cut across that 30" wide by 21" in front of space - all to 'make the corner look better by being a 45 instead of a 90', but which ended up creating a clearance problem at the toilet.

The builders had two choices: a) correct it (doing so after the fact could be quite expensive, what with expensive wall treatments, etc.); b) give money to the client of give them something else of value for which my clients would 'be satisfied'.

Of course, the latter always happened, an after the fact upgrade to something, and I reminded my clients that such *did not negate the problem* when they go to sell. Not that they cared about that ... *they got their* "freebie" from the builder, they would then tell their buyer 'not fixing it, that's the way it was permitted and constructed' (at which time the buyer would want some 'compensation' proving again that 'nothing is free').

Jerry McCarthy · #12 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 08:59 AM

OR, cut two slots in at the bottom of the door to accommodate knees and lower legs and then of course one could always ride the WC "side-saddle."

Corey Friedman · #13 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

As regards clearance to the front, is intermittent interference by a swinging door a code violation, or merely idiotic?

Michael,

This may or may not be a problem. It all depends on choice of newspaper. Sun-Times or Chicago Tribune. The Reader may also pose a problem.

Corey

Paul Kondzich · #14 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:04 PM

The only question I have is this: Micheal, how did you take that picture without getting your feet in it??

Mike Schulz · #15 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

The only question I have is this: Micheal, how did you take that picture without getting your feet in it??

The cream floats to the top!