Allow Enough Turning Space For Wheelchairs

One of the principles of handicap bathroom design involves allowing enough space for a wheelchair to turn around. The minimum turning space for a wheelchair is about 60 inches in diameter (1525 mm) for the average wheelchair. When determining handicap bathroom dimensions, be sure that any wall unit, such as a hand dryer, tampon dispenser, or paper towel dispenser, that extends more than 4 inches from the wall be located between or next to other protruding fixtures such as sinks, or placed in corners or alcoves. This design strategy keeps the units from intruding on a wheelchair’s turn space and reduces the risk that visually impaired people will bump into them.