ADA Paper Towel Dispenser Requirements
ADA paper towel dispenser requirements call for a height of 15” to 48” inches, 20” inches of depth, and 30” by 48” inches minimum clear floor space. Understanding and implementing these ADA standards in your bathroom invites access to patrons and abides by the federal law that is the ADA. The Americans with Disabilities Act can be complicated, but our ADA consulting services make it easy.
ADA Requirements of Paper Towel Dispensers
The ADA is federally enforceable law that requires public entities to be accessible to all people. This ensures equal access and provides equal opportunity to utilize a business or experience a service. Paper towel dispensers have specific standards that businesses must follow. Depending on where you live, your state may also have code requirements that are more detailed than the ADA. To ensure you’re providing an accessible paper towel dispenser, businesses can benefit from an ADA inspection.
Paper Towel Dispenser Reach Range Requirements
For paper towel dispensers, standard reach ranges apply at 15” inches minimum to 48” inches maximum to the operable part. If you manage a property or are doing construction, make sure to provide the proper reach ranges!
When considering buildings and bathrooms built for different ages such as elementary school bathrooms, different reach ranges apply (308.1). The referenced table shows the reach range requirements for the different age groups. Mastering these codes can help you prevent lawsuits and be a good example to the community.
Paper Towel Dispenser Operable Parts
Operable parts are the specific part of an element where an action takes place. For example, the operable part on a paper towel dispenser is the height where the towel dispenses out of the machine. Operable parts are present on most accessible elements in properties such as paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, light switches, door handles, gas station pumps, and so much more. Understanding the clear floor space and reach requirements for paper towel dispensers is a way businesses owners are limiting their liability and creating inclusion in their buildings.
Accessible Dispenser Clear Floor Space
Paper towel dispensers require 30” inches by 48” inches of clear floor space minimum (305.3). Clear floor space requirements allow wheelchair users to have enough room to reach for and use the bathroom accessory.
ADA Paper Towel Dispenser Height Requirements
ADA compliant paper towel dispenser height changes based on the reach required to access it. Making the adjustments will prevent you from complaints and legal fines.
Unobstructed Forward Reach Standards
When approaching an unobstructed forward reach, the reach range must be 15” inches minimum to 48” inches maximum when no counters or other obstructions are present within the reach (308.2.1).
Obstructed Forward Reach For Paper Towel Dispensers
When approaching an obstructed high reach, the high forward reach range must be 48” inches maximum when the reach depth is 20” inches maximum.
When the depth of for example a counter exceeds 20” inches, the maximum forward high reach will be reduced to 44” inches (308.2.2).
Unobstructed Side Reach for Paper Towel Dispensers
If your clear floor space allows for a parallel approach to an element without an obstructed side, side reach is allowed to be 15” inches minimum to 48” inches maximum (308.3) when no obstructions are within the reach.
Obstructions sticking out of the wall not within the reach range may protrude no more than 10” inches.
Obstructed Side Reach for Paper Towel Dispensers
When there is a side reach obstruction present, it shall be no higher than 34” inches maximum with a depth of 10 inches maximum. This allows for the maximum reach range height to remain at 48” inches.
When the depth of the side approach obstruction exceeds 10” inches, it may extend up to 24” inches however the maximum height of the reach is reduced to 44” inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases the maximum height for an ADA paper towel dispenser is 48 inches to the operable part.
Paper towel dispensers do not technically need to be within the reach range of the sink, however the same reach range requirements apply individually to both.
Yes, hand dryers are considered accessible elements required to be accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Correcting your paper towel dispenser is simple. Reach out for an inspection and we’ll provide a detailed evaluation to help make your property ADA compliant.
