• The federal government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The ADA changed the way architects and engineers designed and built public facilities. The heart of ADA is to ensure equal access to public faciltities by those who are disabled. The ADA is a set of guidelines and building standards that dictate how buildings are designed and constructed to ensure the safety and accessibility for those who are disabled. One of the guidelines deals with plumbing fixtures.
  
  

Controls

• In order to meet ADA requirements, the controls of plumbing fixtures shall be able to be operated with one hand. They must not require any pinching, twisting or a tight grasp to be able to operated. Most ADA plumbing fixtures are lever-type handles to make it easier for those with disabilties to use easily. Electronically controlled plumbing fixtures are allowed as well. The controls of plumbing fixtures cannot require more than 5 lbs. of force exerted on it to be activated.
  
  

Clear Space

• One of the most important standards that ADA requires deals with is clearances. The clearances are required to allow for adequate use of the facilities by everyone even if they are in a wheelchair. When using the plumbing fixture, a 30-inch-by-48-inch floor space is required. For those reaching for the plumbing fixtures, the ADA requires a maximum reach height of 48 inches when facing the fixtures. The maximum height of lavatories is 34 inches, and they need a clear space underneath of 27 inches from the above finished floor.
  
  

Safety

• One important requirement of the ADA that deals with plumbing fixtures is the safe operation of them by everyone. All exposed pipes underneath the plumbing fixures shall be wrapped to protect the users from being burned from the pipes when the hot water is activated. The apron that wraps around the pipes must not interfere with any clearances required. The ADA does not allow for any sharp or abrasive surfaces underneath or on the surfaces of the plumbing fixtures.