Results 1 to 15 of 15
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    2,797

    Default Toilet clearance to door

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

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Member Benefits1
    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Healdsburg, CA
    Posts
    1,741

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    IRC Chart for bathroom fixture clearances.

    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  3. #3
    Jim Zborowski's Avatar
    Jim Zborowski Guest

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

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


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Zborowski View Post
    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.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  5. #5
    Michael Larson's Avatar
    Michael Larson Guest

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    The door isn't the problem.

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


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    2,797

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry McCarthy View Post
    IRC Chart for bathroom fixture clearances.
    Jerry,

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

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Thomas View Post
    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 Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Healdsburg, CA
    Posts
    1,741

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    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 McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry McCarthy View Post
    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.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    South-West Michigan
    Posts
    469

    Talking Re: Toilet clearance to door

    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.

    Randall Aldering GHI BAOM MSM
    Housesmithe Inspection
    www.housesmithe.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    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 Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Healdsburg, CA
    Posts
    1,741

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    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."

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    164

    Talking Re: Toilet clearance to door

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Thomas View Post
    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


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Ft. Myers, FL
    Posts
    363

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

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

    Paul Kondzich
    Ft. Myers, FL.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    Posts
    1,074

    Default Re: Toilet clearance to door

    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!

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •