11.4 Accessible Units: Hotels, Dormitories, Health Care and Residential Care (A117.1 Section 1102)
Key Takeaways
An Accessible unit has an accessible route connecting all spaces, a turning space in every room on the route, and doors complying with Section 404, with exceptions such as existing hospital patient room doors 44 inches wide.
At least one bathroom has a lavatory, water closet and tub or shower complying with Sections 603 to 610 (grab bars installed), in a single area with equivalent vanity space.
Kitchens in Accessible units comply with Section 804, and operable windows comply with Section 506 (except kitchen and bathroom windows).
In at least one sleeping area, 5 percent but not less than one bed has a parallel-approach clear floor space on both sides (or one between two beds), an open frame, a 17 to 23-inch height, and a wheelchair charging area.
Table 1108.6.1.1 splits R-1 Accessible units between roll-in shower units and others, and Accessible units are dispersed among the various classes of units.
11.4 Accessible Units: Hotels, Dormitories, Health Care and Residential Care (A117.1 Section 1102)
Accessible units are the highest level of residential accessibility in the IBC. They are scoped in R-1 hotels and motels, R-2 dormitories and similar non-apartment R-2 uses, R-3 transient boarding (2024), R-4, and all I occupancies (Section 11.1).
Unit Requirements (A117.1 1102)
| Item | Section | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Primary entrance | 1102.2 | On an accessible route; not into a bedroom unless the only entrance |
| Accessible route | 1102.3.1 | Connects all spaces and elements (not unfinished attics or basements) |
| Turning space | 1102.3.2 | In all rooms on the route, except toilet rooms not required to comply with 1102.11.2 and closets or pantries 48 in. deep maximum |
| Components | 1102.3.3 | Walking surfaces not steeper than 1:20, doors, ramps, elevators and platform lifts |
| Doors | 1102.5 | Primary entrance and all user passage doorways comply with 404 |
| Ramps, elevators, lifts | 1102.6 to 1102.8 | Comply with 405; 407, 408 or 409; 410 |
| Operable parts | 1102.9 | Lighting controls, panelboards, switches and receptacles, environmental, appliance, plumbing fixture and security or intercom controls comply with 309 |
| Laundry | 1102.10 | Washers and dryers comply with 611 |
| Kitchens | 1102.12 | Comply with 804 |
| Windows | 1102.13 | Operable windows comply with 506.1 (kitchens and bathrooms exempt) |
| Storage | 1102.14 | At least one of each type complies with 905 (kitchen cabinets exempt) |
Door exceptions (1102.5): existing hospital patient sleeping room doors 44 in. wide need no latch-side clearance; secondary toilet rooms need no maneuvering clearance on the bathroom side; no turning space between doors in series; storm, screen and communicating doors between sleeping units exempt from 404.2.5; balcony doors other than the primary entrance need no exterior clearance where the balcony is too small; none in small closets and pantries. IBC 1108.5.3.1 separately allows entry doors to Accessible units in I-2 hospitals to omit latch-side clearance.
Toilet and Bathing (1102.11)
- At least one toilet and bathing facility complies with 1102.11.2: the room complies with 603 (turning space, door swing, mirrors), and at least one lavatory, one water closet and either a bathtub or a shower comply with 604 through 610, with grab bars installed, all in a single toilet/bathing area.
- Vanity countertop space (1102.11.2.1): if other units in the facility have vanity counter space, Accessible units get equivalent space in size and proximity to the lavatory.
- Mirrors (1102.11.2.2): bottom of the reflecting surface 40 in. maximum above the lavatory.
- All other toilet and bathing facilities in the unit get Type B-level reinforcement (1102.11.1) unless no Type B units are provided in the structure.
Roll-In Showers
Table 1108.6.1.1 sets how many Accessible units must have roll-in showers (for example, 1 of 4 Accessible units in a 51-to-75-unit hotel; 2 of 8 at 151 to 200 units). Under the 2024 IBC, where all units have showers and none has a bathtub, the required Accessible units may all use standard or alternate roll-in showers with seats, and transfer showers may substitute for all but the minimum number of roll-in showers. In I-1 and I-2 facilities, part of the Accessible units may use the IBC assisted-bathing roll-in shower (1110.2.3) and assisted-toileting water closet (1110.2.2).
Beds and Charging (1102.15, new in 2017)
In at least one sleeping area of the unit, 5 percent, but not less than one bed complies:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Clear floor space | On both sides of the bed, positioned for a parallel approach (one shared space between two beds satisfies both) |
| Bed frame | At least one bed with an open bed frame (lift devices fit under it) |
| Bed height | At least one bed 17 to 23 in. from the floor to the top of the uncompressed mattress |
| Charging | The bed clear floor space also serves as a wheelchair charging area complying with 906 (grounded duplex outlet within reach) |
Dispersion and Multistory Units
- Accessible units are dispersed among the various classes of units (size, price, view, amenities) (1108.6.1.1).
- On a multiple-building R-1 site, structures with more than 50 units are counted separately, and smaller structures are counted together.
- R-1 multistory units (1108.4 Exception 5): an accessible route is not required between stories within an individual unit if the accessible level meets the Accessible unit provisions and has sleeping accommodations for at least two persons and a toilet facility.
- R-2 non-apartment uses: Accessible units per Table 1108.6.1.1; where bedrooms are grouped into suites, only one bedroom per suite counts toward the required number.
Worked Example
A new 120-unit Group R-2 college dormitory with two-bedroom suites (240 bedrooms):
- Bedrooms count as sleeping units (1108.6.2.3), but only one bedroom in each suite may count toward the required Accessible units.
- Table 1108.6.1.1 for 201 to 300 units: 10 Accessible units, 3 with roll-in showers.
- Each Accessible unit: route, turning spaces, 404 doors, a complying bathroom with installed grab bars, 309 controls, 905 storage, and a compliant bed with clear floor space on both sides, an open frame, 17 to 23 in. height and a charging outlet.
- All other dormitory units in the structure are Type B units (structure with four or more units).
Under ICC A117.1-2017 Section 1102.15, which requirement applies to the compliant bed in an Accessible unit?
A platform bed frame 24 inches high
A clear floor space at the foot end of the bed only, 36 inches deep
An adjustable-height hospital bed with side rails provided in every Accessible unit
Parallel clear floor space on both sides, open frame, 17 to 23 inches high
How do grab bars in the required bathroom of an Accessible unit differ from those in a Type A unit?
Both require installed grab bars
Accessible units get installed grab bars; Type A units get reinforcement
Neither requires grab bars, only reinforcement
Type A units require installed grab bars; Accessible units require reinforcement
A new 70-room hotel is reviewed under IBC Table 1108.6.1.1. How many Accessible units must have roll-in showers?
1
0
3
4
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.