ADA Compliance and Regulations for Portable Restrooms

Do you know the difference between regular porta potties, handicap accessible and ADA-compliant, wheelchair accessible portable restrooms in Chattanooga, TN? (Did you even realize there’s a difference between the latter two?) If not, you’re not alone—most customers don’t know what distinguishes them from each other, particularly if they aren’t familiar with the challenges mobility issues can present.

However, depending on your event or organization type, you may need to use one or both kinds of accessible porta potties. Here’s what you need to know when you’re interested in renting portable toilets.

Handicap and wheelchair accessible portable restrooms in Chattanooga, TN

Handicap accessible portable restrooms require a wider-than-normal door—big enough to fit a wheelchair through. They also need to have ramps so wheelchair users (or other mobility device users) can safely enter and exit. Finally, they have to have enough space that a wheelchair user can perform a three-point turn.

Note that although ADA-compliant portable restrooms include all of these features, they need additional ones to meet the ADA standards. Just because your porta potty is wheelchair accessible does not mean it fully complies with the ADA.

ADA-compliant portable restrooms in Chattanooga, TN

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 created regulations for ADA-compliant portable restrooms. An ADA-compliant porta potty requires more accommodations than standard wheelchair accessible versions, so it’s important that you know exactly which type you need to rent (and how many) before placing an order.

In addition to the requirements for handicap accessible restrooms, ADA-compliant portable toilets must include the following:

• Doors: The doors need to be hinged or magnetic so disabled people don’t struggle to close them.
• Construction: The unit needs to be properly reinforced, and must include interior grab bars for balancing and getting up or down.
• Toilet paper dispensers: The toilet paper dispensers need to be within reach for someone in a wheelchair.
• Size: The porta potty needs to be large enough for a wheelchair to do a 360-degree turn.
• ADA-compliant placard: Each portable toilet needs to have an ADA-compliant placard—often the blue sign with a wheelchair symbol—that includes Braille text.

ADA-compliant porta potties are larger than handicap accessible versions, to accommodate navigating a wheelchair. Depending on your organization, location or event type, you’ll need one ADA-compliant porta potty for every 20 regular porta potties you rent, and at least one per toilet cluster. It’s important that you’re familiar with your city, county and state laws so you know which type—and how many—portable restrooms to rent for your event.

In addition to the portable toilets themselves, there are also handwashing stations specifically designed for people with disabilities. They rely on hand pumps instead of foot pumps. Consider renting these to make your event truly accessible for all.

Do you need help determining how many accessible portable restrooms you’ll need for your next outdoor event in Chattanooga, TN? Pit Stop Portables can help. Call us today to learn more about your options and place your order. We look forward to assisting you!

Categorised in: porta potty