11.2 Type A Units (A117.1 Section 1103)
Key Takeaways
Type A units need an accessible route connecting all spaces, a turning space in every room served by the route (except closets 48 inches deep or less), and doors complying with Section 404 with unit-specific exceptions.
At least one bathroom has a lavatory, water closet and tub or shower complying with 1103.11.2; cabinets under the lavatory are allowed if removable with finished floor and walls behind.
The Type A water closet has a 60 x 56-inch clearance, a seat 15 to 19 inches high, and may have a 24-inch-deep lavatory on the rear wall if the clearance is 66 inches deep.
Grab bars are not installed but reinforcement is provided for future grab bars and shower seats; the side-wall vertical grab bar needs no reinforcement.
The Type A kitchen has 40-inch clearances (60 inches U-shaped), a 30-inch work surface 34 inches high (or adjustable 29 to 36 inches), a forward-approach sink, and a refrigerator with half its freezer shelves at 54 inches.
11.2 Type A Units (A117.1 Section 1103)
A Type A unit is designed to be fully usable by a wheelchair user, with a few features that may be added or removed later (base cabinets, grab bars, shower seats). It is stricter than a Type B unit and close to an Accessible unit.
Route, Turning Space and Doors
| Item | Section | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Primary entrance | 1103.2 | On an accessible route from public and common areas; not into a bedroom unless it is the only entrance |
| Accessible route | 1103.3.1 | Connects all spaces and elements of the unit, in the same area as general circulation (not required to unfinished attics and basements) |
| Turning space | 1103.3.2 | In all rooms served by the accessible route; not required in toilet rooms not required to comply with 1103.11.2, or in closets and pantries 48 in. maximum deep |
| Walking surfaces | 1103.4 | Comply with 403 (36 in. clear, etc.) |
| Doors | 1103.5 | The primary entrance door and all doorways for user passage comply with 404 |
Door exceptions (1103.5) include: exterior sliding door thresholds up to 3/4 in. with a 1:2 bevel; no maneuvering clearance on the bathroom side of secondary toilet rooms; no turning space between doors in series; storm and screen doors and communicating doors between sleeping units exempt from 404.2.5; no exterior maneuvering clearance at balcony doors (other than the primary entrance) where the balcony is too small; and none within closets and pantries 48 in. deep or less.
Operable Parts, Laundry, Windows and Storage
- Operable parts (1103.9): lighting controls, panelboards, switches and receptacles, environmental controls, appliance controls, operating hardware for operable windows, plumbing fixture controls and security or intercom controls comply with 309.
- Laundry (1103.10): washers and dryers comply with 611.
- Windows (1103.13): windows required for natural ventilation comply with 309.2 and 309.3; emergency escape windows comply with 309.2; kitchen and bathroom windows exempt.
- Storage (1103.14): at least one of each type complies with 905 (kitchen cabinets exempt).
Toilet and Bathing Facilities (1103.11)
All toilet and bathing facilities have reinforcement (1103.11.1) for future grab bars at water closets (604.5), bathtubs (607.4) and showers (608.3), and for shower seats. Exceptions: fixtures not required to comply with 1103.11.2 may use Type B reinforcement; a room with only a lavatory and water closet needs none if it is not the only one on the accessible level; and no reinforcement is needed for the water closet side-wall vertical grab bar.
At least one toilet and bathing facility complies with 1103.11.2, with a lavatory, a water closet and a bathtub or shower in a single area:
| Fixture | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Doors (1103.11.2.1) | May not swing into any fixture's clear floor space or clearance, unless a clear floor space is provided beyond the swing |
| Lavatory (1103.11.2.2) | Complies with 606; cabinetry permitted underneath if it can be removed without removing the lavatory, the floor finish extends under it and the walls behind are finished |
| Mirror (1103.11.2.3) | Bottom of reflecting surface 40 in. maximum |
| Water closet location | Centerline 16 to 18 in. from the side wall |
| Water closet clearance | 60 in. wide x 56 in. deep; same overlap rules as 604.3.3 |
| Lavatory overlap exception | A lavatory 24 in. maximum deep on the rear wall, with its side edge 18 in. minimum from the water closet centerline, where the clearance is 66 in. deep |
| Seat height | 15 to 19 in. (lower than the 17 to 19 in. in 604.4) |
| Flush controls | Hand operated (309) or automatic, on the open side |
| Bathtub | Complies with 607; removable countertop and cabinetry permitted at one end of the clearance |
| Shower | Complies with 608; at standard roll-in showers, a lavatory, countertop and cabinetry permitted at one end of the clearance under the same removability criteria |
Kitchens (1103.12)
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Clearance | 40 in. between opposing elements; 60 in. in U-shaped kitchens (counters, appliances or cabinets on three contiguous sides) unless an island creates 40-in. clearances |
| Work surface | At least one, 30 in. long, forward approach with knee and toe clearance; removable cabinetry permitted underneath; 34 in. maximum high, or adjustable or relocatable between 29 and 36 in. without cutting the counter; no sharp surfaces (not required without a cooktop or range) |
| Sink | Forward approach with knee and toe clearance (removable cabinetry permitted; one bowl of a multibowl sink); 34 in. maximum, or adjustable 29 to 36 in. with plumbing roughed in for 29 in.; faucets per 309; insulated pipes; parallel approach permitted without a cooktop or range and at wet bars |
| Appliances | Parallel or forward approach clear floor space at each; controls per 1103.9 (doors exempt from 309.4) |
| Dishwasher | Clear floor space adjacent to the door; open door does not block it or the sink |
| Cooktop | Parallel (centered) or forward (with knee and toe clearance and protected underside); controls not across burners |
| Oven | Side-hinged: countertop beside the latch side; bottom-hinged: countertop beside one side |
| Refrigerator/freezer | 50% of freezer shelves, including the bottom, 54 in. maximum; parallel approach offset 24 in. maximum |
Type A Versus Accessible Units
| Feature | Accessible unit (1102) | Type A unit (1103) |
|---|---|---|
| Grab bars | Installed in the compliant bathroom | Reinforcement only |
| Base cabinets at lavatory and sink | Not permitted where knee space is required | Permitted if removable |
| Toilet seat height | 17 to 19 in. | 15 to 19 in. |
| Kitchen | Section 804 | Section 1103.12 with adjustable options |
| Beds and charging | 5% of beds with clear floor space and a charging area | Not addressed |
In the Type A unit bathroom required to comply with ICC A117.1-2017 Section 1103.11.2, what water closet seat height is permitted?
17 to 19 inches
16 to 18 inches
15 to 19 inches
11 to 17 inches
A Type A unit kitchen work surface uses an adjustable counter. What height range must it provide under ICC A117.1 Section 1103.12.3.2?
28 to 34 inches
29 to 36 inches
30 to 38 inches
26 to 30 inches
In a Type A unit, which reinforcement is NOT required at the water closet under ICC A117.1 Section 1103.11.1?
Reinforcement for the rear-wall grab bar
Reinforcement for the horizontal side-wall grab bar
Reinforcement for shower seats in the compliant shower
Reinforcement for the side-wall vertical grab bar
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.