ADA Compliance in Portable Toilets

Any event that requires portable restrooms also requires handicap-accessible restrooms, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Not only is this the law, but improved accessibility fosters a more hospitable, considerate and inclusive environment. This is beneficial whether you’re managing a construction site, putting on a festival or concert or simply celebrating a wedding. Here’s what you need to know about portable toilet laws in Reading, PA.

Know the difference between handicap accessible and ADA compliant

Even though handicap-accessible and ADA-compliant restrooms have a lot of common characteristics, they are not necessarily the same thing. While every ADA-compliant restroom is handicap accessible, not every handicap-accessible restroom is ADA compliant. Whether an event or venue requires ADA compliance depends on regulations at the local, state and federal levels.

ADA regulations

The ADA requirements state that for any situation that requires portable toilets, including temporary events such as concerts, 5 percent of them must be ADA compliant. If necessary, ramps and entrance landings must be built for ADA-compliant porta potties, with the entrance landings offering enough space for mobility and entry into the restroom. Some ADA-compliant porta potties eliminate the need for ramps altogether by being designed at ground level.

These ADA-compliant restrooms must follow the same accessibility requirements as permanent buildings do, which includes adequate clearance for doors and fixtures. The portable unit must have enough space for wheelchair users to perform a 360-degree turn, as well as sufficient “knee and toe” clearance that will permit the user to roll up to any fixture without obstruction. Consequently, ADA-compliant porta potties provide large, spacious interiors for wheelchair users to move around.

For added safety, ADA-compliant portable restrooms must include reinforced grab bars to provide support for maneuvering around the porta potty. The door to the porta potty itself must be spring loaded or magnetic for ADA compliance. This is not a requirement of handicap-accessible portable toilets, typically making those doors more difficult to close unassisted for some wheelchair users.

Construction industry exemption

Even if the restrooms are only used by permanent employees, an employer must provide handicap-accessible restrooms in practically all situations. The lone exception is the construction industry. If the porta potties are exclusively used by construction personnel who do not require handicap accessibility, the employer is exempt from providing handicap-accessible portable restrooms.

Additional accessibility features

Non-slip flooring is a standard feature used to prevent slips and falls, which is especially important during adverse weather conditions that could bring rain or snow inside the portable restroom. Handicap-accessible portable sinks that are operated by hand pumps also provide an alternative to foot pump operated units.

Looking for a rental company that knows all about porta potty ADA compliance in Reading, PA? When you hire the seasoned professionals at Scotties Potties, you can rest assured that all applicable portable toilet laws will be followed to the letter. We can help anticipate your every need so your event will be safe and accessible for everybody involved. Contact us today to learn more about our services and book a rental!

Categorised in: Porta Potties

This post was written by Writer