08. Shared Spaces - Universally Accessible Restrooms

Provide a universally accessible restrooms

Rationale: Ensuring restrooms are accessible for those of all abilities and gender identities increases perceptions of safety and self-esteem, and reduces risk of injury — contributing to fewer injuries and reduced stress levels among marginalized populations.

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with the below:

Option 1 - Universally Accessible Restrooms (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

1. Include restrooms that are accessible to all building occupants on each floor of the building(s) that includes regularly occupied common areas.

Qualifying regularly occupied common areas must include but are not limited to the following:

1. • • Workspaces: which include workstations, flexible workspaces, individual offices, and circulation between workstations. Note that hallways, corridors, and elevator banks are not considered regularly occupied spaces.
     • Common spaces: which include spaces where residential and employee occupants can gather to work, eat, take breaks, or meet — such as common rooms, dining areas, resource centers, exercise rooms, outdoor space amenities, meeting rooms, lactation rooms, quiet rooms, and reception areas.
2. Ensure that all restrooms meet one of the following standards:
   • the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in regards to toilet facilities
   • ISO 21542: 2011 requirements for building construction, accessibility, and usability of the building environment in regards to toilet rooms and sanitary rooms.

3. Ensure universal access to restrooms by implementing one of the following:
   – providing access to single-occupancy or family restrooms that are gender neutral restrooms instead of or adjacent to gender segregated restrooms.
   – posting signage at gender-segregated restrooms stating that people may use restroom consistent with their gender identity.

4. Implement the following safety measures in all shared restrooms:
   • slip-resistant flooring
   • emergency pull-cords or call buttons
   • grab bars.

Shared restrooms do not include private restrooms within dwelling units or restrooms accessible only to employee occupants.

Option 2 - Accessible Restrooms (Partial Credit):

1. Include restrooms that are accessible to all building occupants on each floor of the building(s) that includes regularly occupied common areas.

Qualifying regularly occupied common areas must include but are not limited to the following:
1. Workspaces: which include workstations, flexible workspaces, individual offices, and circulation between workstations. Note that hallways, corridors, and elevator banks are not considered regularly occupied spaces.
2. Common spaces: which include spaces where residential and employee occupants can gather to work, eat, take breaks, or meet — such as common rooms, dining areas, resource centers, exercise rooms, outdoor space amenities, meeting rooms, lactation rooms, quiet rooms, and reception areas.

2. Ensure that all restrooms meet one of the following standards:
– the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in regards to toilet facilities
– ISO 21542: 2011 requirements for building construction, accessibility, and usability of the building environment in regards to toilet rooms and sanitary rooms

3. Implement the following safety measures in all shared restrooms:
– slip-resistant flooring
– emergency pull-cords or call buttons
– grab bars.

Shared restrooms do not include private restrooms within dwelling units or restrooms accessible only to employee occupants.

Option 3 - Single-user Restrooms (Partial Credit):

1. Include restrooms that are accessible to all building occupants on each floor of the building(s) that includes regularly occupied common areas.

Qualifying regularly occupied common areas must include but are not limited to the following:
1. Workspaces: which include workstations, flexible workspaces, individual offices, and circulation between workstations. Note that hallways, corridors, and elevator banks are not considered regularly occupied spaces.
2. Common spaces: which include spaces where residential and employee occupants can gather to work, eat, take breaks, or meet — such as common rooms, dining areas, resource centers, exercise rooms, outdoor space amenities, meeting rooms, lactation rooms, quiet rooms, and reception areas.

2. Ensure universal access to restrooms by implementing one of the following:
– providing access to single-occupancy or family restrooms that are gender neutral restrooms instead of or adjacent to gender segregated restrooms.
– posting signage at gender-segregated restrooms stating that people may use restroom consistent with their gender identity.

Compliance Documentation

Design and Built Pathways

Option 1 - Universally Accessible Restrooms (Full Credit):

Requirement 1

• Upload an annotated plan showing the planned location of the following:
  – all common areas
  – all restrooms.
• Checkbox to certify that all building occupants will have access to the identified restrooms.

Requirement 2

• Upload an annotated plan showing how a typical restroom layout meets one of the listed standards.

Requirement 3

• Checkboxes to certify that restrooms will be accessible to all through the following (select all that apply):
  • single-occupancy or family restrooms will be provided adjacent to or instead of gender segregated restrooms
  • signage will be provided at gender-segregated restrooms stating that people may use restroom consistent with their gender identity

• Upload an annotated plan or design drawing showing one of the following:
  – the planned locations of each single-occupancy and/or family restroom and gender segregated restroom.
  – each unique planned signage showing the inclusive language and the placement of the signage.
• Upload an annotated design drawings or photographs(s) showing the planned signage for each unique restroom.

Requirement 4

• Upload design drawings showing a each unique restroom layout and the safety features that will be included.

Option 2 - Accessible Restrooms (Partial Credit):

Requirement 1

• Upload an annotated plan showing the planned location of the following:
  – all common areas
  – all restrooms.
• Checkbox to certify that all building occupants will have access to the identified restrooms.

Requirement 2

• Upload an annotated plan showing how a typical restroom layout meets one of the listed standards.

Requirement 3

• Upload design drawings showing a each unique restroom layout and the safety features that will be included.

Option 3 - Single-user Restrooms (Partial Credit):

Requirement 1

• Upload an annotated plan showing the planned location of the following:
  – all common areas
  – all restrooms.
• Checkbox to certify that all building occupants will have access to the identified restrooms.

Requirement 2

• Checkbox to certify that restrooms will be accessible to all through the following (select all that apply):
  • single-occupancy or family restrooms will be provided adjacent to or instead of gender segregated restrooms
  • signage will be provided at gender-segregated restrooms stating that people may use restroom consistent with their gender identity
• Upload an annotated plan or design drawing showing one of the following:
  – the planned locations of each single-occupancy and/or family restroom and gender segregated restroom.
  – each unique planned signage showing the inclusive language and the placement of the signage.
• Upload an annotated design drawings or photographs(s) showing the planned signage for each unique restroom.