When hosting a large event, you must ensure your guests can use the bathroom without hassle or embarrassment. Catering to those with mobility issues should be a top priority. That's why we put together an easy-to-follow guide outlining the necessary steps you need to take to ensure your event and your event restroom trailer stay ADA-compliant.
Understanding ADA Guidelines
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 sets legal requirements for restrooms, including portable toilets, at all public events. This is to guarantee equal opportunities for all those with disabilities to have access to facilities, such as bathrooms. You may ask yourself, do I have to abide by these laws for my event? The safe answer is probably yes, but we’ll get into it.
You will need ADA trailers if your event is public or private (like a wedding) but at a hired venue or in a building. You will also need them if you are adding units to your fleet for business. 5% of your toilets must be ADA-compliant to ensure you comply with these needs. This means for every 20 stations, one needs to be accessible. Additionally, the compliant cubicles should be available to both genders. You can offer a male and a female station or a unisex station. These apply to traditional bathrooms, portable toilets, and restroom trailers.
These requirements are what you control. You are responsible for ordering the proper units and the correct ratio of compliance to standard.
What Do Trailers Need To Have To Be Accessible?
1. Space and Dimensions
ADA-compliant restroom trailers must have a floor space large enough to accommodate a wheelchair and for that wheelchair to move with ease. Guidelines require clear floor space with enough room for a wheelchair to move 360° in without obstructions.
2. Entrance and Accessibility
The entrance to a facility must be mobility-device accessible, which includes walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. This involves ramps of a particular slope, grab bars that can hold up to use, and wide doors with easy-to-open and close hinges to ensure users can get in and out of the toilet safely and independently.
3. Supportive Features
The ADA places a heavy emphasis on grab bars throughout the facility. This includes the ramp up to the unit, as well as near the toilet and on the walls. This provides stability and support for those who may not have a mobility device or need help getting in and out of one. Because of these grab bars, there are also requirements on the unit's structure. Walls must have a proper carrying capacity to ensure that bars are secure, and the wall is also.
4. Accessible Fixtures and Amenities
ADA-compliant restrooms rightfully require all fixtures and fittings within units to be accessible to those with disabilities. This involves lower toilet and sink fittings, appropriately positioned mirrors, soap and paper towel dispensers, a larger toilet seat, and easily flushable toilet mechanisms.
5. Signage and Communication
Toilet units that are ADA-compliant must have signage indicating that they are such. This might sound fancy, but you’ve seen it before. The blue wheelchair sign does the trick with this, as long as it includes braille labeling. This signage should be well placed in a visible area and direct users to the proper facility.
6. Maintenance and Inspections
The ADA requires regular inspections and maintenance on units to maintain compliance. Periodic checks of grab bars, ramps, and other essential features to accessibility ensure they stay in proper working order. Repairs and replacements may be necessary to pass checks and keep status.
Where Can I Find ADA-Compliant Trailers?
Portable Restroom Trailers proudly offers the largest selection of accessible or ADA restroom trailers in the United States. While ADA standards on the details of units change year to year, we can guarantee that our compliant trailers abide by the regulations of the year they were produced and include the features listed above.
Now, when searching for ADA restroom trailers, it is important to note that there is a difference between those labeled as accessible and those that comply with regulations. Although a unit may be large enough to accommodate a wheelchair or have a ramp, ADA units have specific certifications for that year, which grant them the title of certified.
If you need more than just toilets, but showers too, ADA shower trailers are also available. These meet the requirements outlined above but also include shower benches for ease of use.
