Interpretation #7689
Published December 15, 2015
Original Request
- Code Version
- 2014
- Code
- PLUMBING
- Code Description
- Chapter
- Section
- 403
- Topic
- Urinals and potty parity
Question
Is it the intent of 403.1.3 Potty Parity to prevent providing fixtures in excess of what table 403.1 requires to a men's toilet room, without providing additional fixtures at a 3:2 ratio in the women's toilet? A joint-use high school/community theater on a high school campus has been designed in compliance with Table 403.1 and 403.1.1 and the owner has requested an additional five (5) urinals for a total of 7 urinals and 2 water closets in the restroom. Will this also violate the 50% limit requirement of 419.2 for urinal substitution of water closets?
Answer Published 12/15/2015 at 3:52 AM
Yes. While it would be nice to say this is based solely on
the "required", the code states the number of fixtures
"provided" not the number of fixtures "required". After all,
the reason the potty parity law was enacted was because of
the long waits for the facilities for women at large venues
like stadiums, concert halls and the like.
the "required", the code states the number of fixtures
"provided" not the number of fixtures "required". After all,
the reason the potty parity law was enacted was because of
the long waits for the facilities for women at large venues
like stadiums, concert halls and the like.
Commentary
Statutory excerpt that creates the Code requirement: ... "In
assembly occupancies, restrooms which are open to the
public must have a ratio of 3:2 water closets provided for
women as the combined total of water closets and urinals
provided for men," ...