Why can't PVC be used for water pipe inside a house? Toilet Spacing and Design Bathroom building code typically says that toilets need at least 21 inches of clearance in front of the toilet. We are not affiliated with, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the companies or products mentioned in this blog. • What can I add to my septic tank to help it work better? The distance from the centerline of your toilet bowl to the nearest wall or obstacle should be at least 18". Urinals are not required in toilet rooms. It also mandates that you have 21″ clear in front of the toilet. Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water? The reason for this is as simple as knowing which code book your local jurisdiction adopts. The clearance in front of a toilet shall not be less than 21 inches to any wall, fixture or door. • Why is there sand in the bottom of my toilet tank? With no maximum dimension, just be aware of how the fixture is to be used. • Why can't PVC be used for water pipe inside a house? There must be a minimum of 21″ clearance from the front edge of any toilet or sink to the front edge of any other fixture. To better understand what the International Residential Code (IRC) covers, be sure to check out this POST. The center line of the toilet must be between 16 and 18 inches from the side wall. Which water pipes are an insurance problem and possibly uninsurable? IRC. How can I protect my pipes to keep them from bursting during a hard winter freeze in North Florida? Water closet compartments shall not be less than 30 inches wide and 60 inches deep. What causes low water pressure in a house? Which plumbing fixtures require water shut off valves in a home? Are drop-in toilet bowl cleaner tablets safe? You should really check your local code as it will contain things like minimum clearance from toilet to other fixtures, etc. Minimum 6-feet 8-inches of height to ceiling at the center of required area in front of toilet where there is a sloped ceiling over toilet. The minimum clearance for residential toilets can be found in Section R307.1 of the International Residential Code as well as Section P2705.1 which specifies the required clearance for a toilet fixture and other fixtures too. You can place the toilet further away. If mounted on the wall, the toilet roll holder will need several inches of extra space, as well. If a bath vanity is next to your toilet, you’ll need 15″ of clearance. What is that pipe sticking out of the ground in the yard? Many cities and communities require the toilets to have water conserving devices. to 25" max. For the purpose of the building and plumbing code, a bathroom fixture is a lavatory (sink), water closet (toilet), urinal, bidet, shower stall or bathtub. 4.17.4 Toe Clearances. 13. In standard stalls, the front partition and at least one side partition shall provide a toe clearance of at least 9 in (230 mm) Just keep in mind the usability of the fixture. The clearance in front of a toilet shall not be less than 21 inches to any wall, fixture or door when subject to the International Residential Code or not less than 24 inches when subject to the Uniform Plumbing Code. Per the code sections noted above, here are the minimum clearances for a toilet: One important difference to note here is that the clearance in front of a toilet shall not be less than 21 inches per the I-Codes (International Residential Code, International Plumbing Code) however per the Uniform Plumbing Code the clearance in front of the toilet shall not be less than 24 inches. Why is there sand in the bottom of my toilet tank? Code Requirement: A minimum distance of 15 inches is required from the centerline of a toilet and/or bidet to any bath fixture, wall, or other obstacle. • Which water pipes are an insurance problem and possibly uninsurable? Why is a backflow preventer required on lawn sprinkler systems? • Should I call a plumber or septic tank contractor when my septic tank backs up into the house? • What is an "S-Trap" under my sink? • What are the pros and cons of a wall-mounted toilet? Width: 30" to 36". For example one jurisdiction can be enforcing the International Plumbing Code while another can be using the Uniform Plumbing Code. – bib Oct 2 '12 at 17:54 These include the distance from the centerline of a fixture to the nearest wall as well as clearance in front of the fixture. Also, construction methods and materials vary in different parts of the country and it is possible that important issues related to your area may not be covered here. • Why is the European-style bottle trap not approved by the plumbing codes in the U.S.? If toilet stall approach is from the latch side of the stall door, clearance between the door side of the stall and any obstruction may be reduced to a minimum of 42 in (1065 mm). With that said, let us take a look at the following illustrations to better visualize the code sections above: A toilet shall be set a minimum 15 inches from its center to any side wall, partition or vanity. Why is it a problem? • My water bill went way up last month. Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about PLUMBING: • How can I protect my pipes to keep them from bursting during a hard winter freeze in North Florida? 604.9.4 Grab Bars. • Should I wrap the water heater with an insulation blanket? There shall be at least a 21-inch clearance in front of the water closet, urinal, lavatory or bidet to any wall, fixture or door. • How do I get rid of the sewer gas smell in my house? Cleanouts on 8-inch (203 mm) and larger pipes shall be provided with a clearance of not less than 36 inches (914 mm) for rodding. Are you going to inspect it? Figure 30(a) Standard Stall. We’ll get into these differences in a minute. • Which plumbing fixtures require water shut off valves in a home? How can I tell if a house is connected to a septic tank system or sewer? Read moreAcceptX, B1 Residential Building Inspector Practice Quiz, B2 Commercial Building Inspector Practice Quiz, R3 Residential Plans Examiner Practice Quiz, E1 Residential Electrical Inspector Practice Quiz, P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector Practice Quiz, Accessibility Inspector / Plans Examiner Practice Quiz, CT CALGreen Inspector / Plans Examiner Practice Quiz, What is an ICC Certification & How to Get ICC Certified, How Acoustic Blankets Can Improve Worker Safety, How to Size Floor Joists Per the IRC | Easily Explained with Examples, Standard Front Door Size Per the Residential Code, Minimum Toilet Clearances per the Residential Code, Practice Exam | E1 Residential Electrical Inspector Exam Prep, How to Calculate the Natural Light and Ventilation Requirements for Habitable Rooms per the Residential Code, Fire Rated Door Requirements Between a Garage and House, 15 Essential Reference Books Every Code Official Needs, How to Calculate Occupant Load | Easily Explained with Examples, Practice Exam | B2 Commercial Building Inspector Exam Prep. Where is the septic tank? Provisions from the International Plumbing Code are placed within the International Residential Code to allow for a complete and comprehensive code regulating the construction of single family houses, duplexes, and townhouses not more than three stories. • Why is there mold inside my toilet tank? Minimum Clearance to the Side of the Toilet When measuring toilet side clearances, always measure from the toilet's imaginary center line to the nearest side obstruction. This must allow a 60 inch clearance area for wheelchairs, be 59 inches deep and feature grab bars at least 42 inches long on the side wall and 32 inches long on the rear wall. Why is the European-style bottle trap not approved by the plumbing codes in the U.S.? There should be at least 24 inches of … Seats shall not be sprung to return to a lifted position. Accessories such as toilet paper dispensers should be within reach of the user and their center points should be around 30” (76 cm) from the floor and no further than 12” (30.5 cm) away from the face of the water closet. With that said, let us take a look at these code sections. The dimension discussed here are for residential bathrooms that are within the scope of the International Residential Code (IRC). My water bill went way up last month. The height of water closets shall be 11 inches (280 mm) minimum and 17 inches (430 mm) maximum measured to the top of the seat. Those familiar with the International Building Code (IBC) will recall that bathroom partitions are considered interior finishes when they cover 10% or more of the wall or ceiling. A toilet seat height of 17-19 inches. • What are the code requirements for layout of drain piping under sinks? >>. Can you live in a house while the plumbing is being replaced? • Are drop-in toilet bowl cleaner tablets safe? Access shall be provided to all cleanouts. Here is a summary of the minimum requirements per code for toilet clearances: * Reference Source – 2015 International Residential Code – [Buy on Amazon]. How do I look for a leak? Access to the required facilities shall be from within the building or from the exterior of the building. Visit our PLUMBING page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles. Exceptions: (2) Where the toilet room or bathing room is for individual use and a clear floor space complying with Section 11B-305.3 is provided within the room beyond the arc of the door swing, doors shall be permitted to swing into the clear floor space or clearance required for any fixture. Providing the proper clearance to a toilet not only allows the fixture to be usable but it is said that the importance of these measurements can decide where the piping will be placed within a building. The IRC clearances for a toilet are 15 inches from the center line to the wall on both sides. The toilet should sit 17 to 19 inches from the ground and be 16 to 18 inches from the side wall. Which is another reason why it is very important to know which code applies to you. 604.9.2 Clearance. Clearance around a water closet shall comply with 604.3. These are not being discussed here. 30(b)) may be provided in lieu of the standard stall. Should I wrap the water heater with an insulation blanket? What is an "S-Trap" under my sink? No maximum is specified. If you have more than one urinal, then the second one is required to be accessible. • Is it alright to disconnect the washing machine drain from the septic tank and divert it to the ground in the yard? Grab bars for water closets shall comply with 604.5. The National Kitchen & Bath Association requires at least 24 inches clearance in front of a toilet. Wall: 15" minimum measured from the center of the drain, 20" is recommended. 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