7.5 Plumbing Scoping: Family Rooms, Adult Changing Stations, Drinking Fountains, Laundry, and Saunas

7.5 Plumbing Scoping: Family Rooms, Adult Changing Stations, Drinking Fountains, Laundry, and Saunas

This section collects the plumbing-related scoping in IBC Section 1110 that is not covered by compartments, lavatories and showers. Section numbers shift between editions because the 2024 IBC inserted adult changing stations and laundry equipment.

Family or Assisted-Use Toilet and Bathing Rooms (1110.2.1)

When required: In assembly and mercantile occupancies, an accessible family or assisted-use toilet room is required where an aggregate of six or more male and female water closets is required. In mixed occupancies, count only the water closets required for the assembly or mercantile occupancy. In recreational facilities with separate-sex bathing rooms, an accessible family or assisted-use bathing room is required, unless each separate-sex bathing room has only one shower or bathtub. Fixtures in family rooms count toward the occupancy's required fixtures.

IBC 1112.3 Item 4 requires directional signs at each separate-sex toilet and bathing room indicating the nearest family or assisted-use room.

Adult Changing Stations (2024 IBC 1110.4)

Where provided, adult changing stations are accessible. The 2024 IBC requires at least one:

1. In assembly and mercantile occupancies where family or assisted-use toilet or bathing rooms are required by 1110.2.1;
2. In Group B educational facilities above 12th grade where an aggregate of 12 or more water closets is required to serve classrooms and lecture halls;
3. In Group E where a room used for assembly purposes requires an aggregate of six or more water closets;
4. In highway rest stops and service plazas.

The station is in a toilet room with only one water closet and one lavatory (or in a required family room), available whenever the occupancy is occupied, not behind security checkpoints, and not more than two stories and 2,000 ft of travel from users.

Drinking Fountains

Scoping (1110.5 in 2021; 1110.7 in 2024)

Where drinking fountains are provided on an exterior site, on a floor or within a secured area, not fewer than two are provided: one for people who use a wheelchair and one for standing persons. A single fountain with two separate spouts serving both groups may substitute. Where more than the minimum are provided, 50 percent serve wheelchair users and 50 percent standing persons, rounded up or down as long as the total is 100 percent. Children's provisions are permitted where fountains are primarily for children. IBC 1112.3 Item 6 requires directional signs when the two types are not adjacent.

Technical Criteria (A117.1 602)

Bottle-Filling Stations (1110.6 / 1110.8 and A117.1 602.4)

Where provided, bottle-filling stations are accessible, with a clear floor space for a forward or side approach and hand-operated controls complying with 309 or automatic controls. A filler over the standing fountain need not be accessible if one is also over the wheelchair fountain.

Laundry Equipment (2024 IBC 1110.6 and A117.1 611)

Where provided in spaces required to be accessible, at least one of three or fewer washing machines (or dryers) is accessible, and at least two where more than three are provided. A117.1 611 requires a parallel approach clear floor space (centered on top loaders; offset 24 in. maximum from the door centerline on front loaders); operable parts, including doors, lint screens and detergent compartments, comply with 308 and 309 (obstruction height up to 36 in. allowed); top-loading doors 36 in. maximum high; front-loading openings with the bottom 15 to 36 in. above the floor.

Saunas and Steam Rooms (1110.7 / 1110.9 and A117.1 612)

Where provided, saunas and steam rooms are accessible; where clustered, at least 5 percent, but not less than one of each type in each cluster. A117.1 612 requires a turning space inside, and where seating is provided, at least one bench complying with 903, with doors not swinging into the bench clear floor space (unless the room is for individual use and a 305.3 clear floor space is provided beyond the door swing).