Barrier-Free Code-British Columbia

 

The British Columbia Building Code is your guide to the barrier-free code in the province.  Accessibility is an important objective of the British Columbia Building Code, as it ensures buildings are designed and constructed so people with disabilities can:

• • reasonably access and move around within the building
  • use the building facilities
  • That the design and construction include:
    • Corridors, doorways, bathrooms and kitchens that are easier for people with disabilities to use
    • Features like easy-to-reach electrical outlets and switches or easy-to-use door and faucet handles
    • Building in a way that allows for future installation of necessary items – for example, installing grab bars in the bathroom
    • Main entrances that don’t use steps making it easier for strollers, scooters and wheelchairs to access the building

 

Return To Canada Wide Barrier-Free Guide!

 

UNIVERSAL WASHROOMS

3.8.3.11. Water-Closet Stalls

1. Water-closet stalls and enclosures required by Sentence 3.8.2.8.(5) shall 
   1.  be not less than 1500 mm wide by 1500 mm deep, 
   2. have a clear floor space of not less than 1500 mm by 1500 mm in front of the accessible stall, 
   3.  be equipped with a door that 
      1. can be latched from the inside with a mechanism conforming to Clause 3.8.3.8.(1)(c), 
      2. is aligned with either the transfer space adjacent to the water closet or with a clear floor space not less than 1500 mm by 1500 mm within the stall,
      3. provides a clear opening not less than 850 mm wide when measured in accordance with Clauses 3.8.3.6.(2)(a) and (b),
      4. is self-closing so that, when at rest, the door is ajar by not more than 50 mm beyond the jamb, 
      5. swings outward, unless there is a clear floor space within the stall of at least 800 mm by 1350 mm plus the arc of the door swing (see Note A-3.8.3.11.(1)(c)(v)), 
      6. where the door swings outward, is provided with a horizontal, D-shaped, visually contrasting door pull not less than 140 mm long located on the inside such that its midpoint is 200 mm to 300 mm from the hinged side of the door and 900 mm to 1 100 mm above the floor (see Note A-3.8.3.11.(1)(c)(vi)), and
      7. is provided with a horizontal, D-shaped, visually contrasting door pull not less than 140 mm long located on the outside such that its midpoint is 120 mm to 220 mm from the latch side and 900 mm to 1 100 mm above the floor,
   4. have a water closet located so that the distance between the center line of the fixture and the wall on one side is 460 mm to 480 mm, 
   5. be equipped with an L-shaped grab bar that
   6. is mounted on the side wall closest to the water closet, 
   7. has horizontal and vertical components not less than 760 mm long mounted with the horizontal component 750 mm to 850 mm above the floor and the vertical component 150 mm in front of the water closet (see Note A-3.8.3.11.(1)(e)(ii)), and 

iii) complies with Article 3.7.2.8., 

1. f) be equipped with either one grab bar at least 600 mm long and centered over the water closet, or two grab bars at least 300 mm long and located either side of the flush valve, that 
2. i) conform to Article 3.7.2.8., 
3. ii) are mounted on the rear wall, and 

iii) are mounted at the same height as the grab bar on the side wall or 100 mm above the top of the attached water tank, if applicable, 

1. g) be equipped with a coat hook mounted not more than 1200 mm above the floor on a side wall and projecting not more than 50 mm from the wall, and h) be equipped with a toilet paper dispenser mounted on the side wall closest to the water closet such that 
2. i) the bottom of the dispenser is 600 mm to 800 mm above the floor, and 
3. ii) the closest edge of the dispenser is not more than 300 mm from the front of the water closet.

 

 

BATHROOMS

• Toilet Location – Distance from sidewall
  • 460 mm (18.2”) to 480 mm(18.8”)
• Lavatory location 
  • Minimum forward approach 
  • 920 mm (36.3”) wide by 1350 mm (53.2”) deep
• Minimum clear floor space for 
  • Minimum 3.7 m2 (39.9 ft2)

• • • Door swings out
  • Minimum 4.0 m2 (43.1 ft2)
    • Door swings inward

 

WATER CLOSETS

• Locking/secured tank 
• Heights

 

URINALS

• Rim height *just wording adjustment
  • Less than 430 mm (16.9”)
• Grab bars *just wording adjustment
  • 600 mm (23.7”) long

 

LAVATORIES

• Knees and Toe Space

 

SHOWERS

• Handshowers
  • Usable at 1200 mm (47.3”) and 2030 mm (79.9”) off the floor
    • Best accomplished with 900 mm (35.4”) slide bar
  • Minimum 1800 (59.1”) mm hose required

• Grab Bars
  • L-shaped grab bar on the back wall
    • Horizontal component 1000 mm (39.4”)
      • 750 mm (29.6”) to 870 mm (34.2”) off the floor
    • Vertical component 750 mm (29.6”)
      • Same side as side wall grab bar
      • 400 mm (15.8”) to 500 mm (19.6”) from side wall
  • Vertical Straight side wall grab bar
    • Minimum 1000 mm (39.4”)
    • 50 mm (2”) to 80 mm (3.1”) to side wall
    • 600 (23.7”) to 650 mm (25.5”) off the floor to lower part

 

BATHTUB

• Size and Space
  • 1500 mm (59.1”) turning circle
• Grab bars
  • 2 Minimum 1200 mm (47.3”) grab bars
    • • 2 vertical at each end, 1 horizontal centred
      • Lower end 80 mm (3.1”) to 280 mm (11”)

Download the Barrier-Free code reference PDF for British Columbia:

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us! 

We also have a variety of CEU presentations focusing on but not limited to accessibility:

1. 1. Request a CEU presentation
   2. A Planning Guide for Accessible Restrooms
   3. Barrier-Free And Design: Understanding Accessibility In A Locker Room
   4. Materials Matter – The Cost Of Ownership
   5. Multigenerational Public Restroom Design
   6. Relocatable Bathroom Fixtures = Universal Design
   7. Specifying Code-Compliant Toilet Partitions
   8. Understanding HPL + The Benefits Of Rainscreen Applications

 

To book one for your organization, please register.