Clothing retailers worldwide continually strive to enhance their customers’ shopping experience. A critical aspect of this endeavor is the fitting room – a private space where customers decide on their final purchases. Below are important standards that retailers should consider when they want to meet compliant ADA-fitting room requirements.
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide (California)
Advisory 803.1 General. Partitions and doors should be designed to ensure people using accessible dressing and fitting rooms privacy equivalent to that afforded other users of the facility. Section 903.5 requires dressing room bench seats to be installed so that they are at the same height as a typical wheelchair seat, 17 inches (430 mm) to 19 inches (485 mm). However, wheelchair seats can be lower than dressing room benches for people of short stature or children using wheelchairs.
Chapter 11: Accessibility; 1101.2 Design (NYC)
Buildings and facilities shall be designed and constructed to be accessible in accordance with ICC A117.1 and this code.
Therefore, based on the standards for accessible dressing and fitting rooms, the three major requirements are:
- ADA Fitting Room Dimensions: Must provide privacy and accessibility for individuals with disabilities (17 inches (430 mm) to 19 inches (485 mm)).
- Bench Requirements: The bench should be stable, securely attached, and allow easy transfer from a wheelchair.
- Compliance with Accessibility Standards: ICC A117.1 and ADA-compliant related codes.
A Fitting Room Case in ROSS Store
ROSS Stores, Inc., an American off-price retailer with over 1,500 locations across the U.S. and Guam, offers discounted clothing, footwear, home decor, and accessories. The client approached Waterson with the trust that they could meet specific fitting room requirements:
- ADA compliance
- Door spec 7’x3’, 30lbs and self-closing
- 3 hinges on each door.
Get more insights into the ROSS Store case study here.
Heavy Duty Self Closing Hinge Solution
Waterson heavy duty self closing hinges are built to firmly withstand frequent commercial use. These hinges are ADA-compliant with speed control, which plays a crucial role in creating an accessible dressing room. The ADA door hinge ensures smooth door operation, facilitating easy access for customers, including those using wheelchairs. The self-closing mechanism of Waterson’s hinges makes them particularly suitable for a private dressing room entered through a curtain, enhancing privacy and convenience.
Unique Speed Control Design
If a self-closing device is incorporated, it should be user-friendly, requiring minimal force or dexterity to operate the door. Ensuring the door stays open long enough for individuals using mobility devices to safely enter and exit the fitting room is equally crucial. Also, these devices should align with ADA guidelines, such as the requirement for a 5-second closing time and less than 5lbs of opening force. A fitting room with these features, along with clear floor space, accessible benches, and turning space, provides a higher level of accessibility. The room should be wide enough to accommodate a person using a wheelchair comfortably. A strategically mounted mirror of minimum required dimensions further enhances usability. All these elements combine to render the dressing room usable by a person with mobility challenges, contributing to an inclusive shopping environment.
Go further with more ADA door requirements here.
Easy Adjustment Improves Customer Experience
Waterson commercial self-closing hinges are easily adjustable to unique requirements. For example, the occupancy indicator on a fitting room door will be triggered to show “occupied” when a door is closed and latched. This is perfectly acceptable when there is in fact an occupant, however, this can be misleading when there is no one inside. Therefore, clothing retailers like Ross prefer that their fitting rooms do not close and latch when the rooms are vacant. Waterson self-closing hinges can be easily adjusted to close just before the latch point so that the occupancy indicator is not triggered. Waterson’s unique speed control design allows retailers like Ross to optimize the customer experience.
Waterson Commercial Door Hinges with ADA Fitting Room Requirements
Waterson Commercial Door Hinges combine an overhead closer and hinge into one attractive component with optional hold-open and door-stop features. These hinges are ideal for commercial openings, gates, and glass doors. The commercial door hinges are easily installed and adjusted to comply with ADA & ICC A117.1 requirements for opening force and to assure quiet, secure closing. Made with stainless steel, Waterson closer hinges meet NFPA 80 and are UL 3-hour fire-rated, as well as being suitable for both interior and all-weather exterior openings. See all our features.
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Please note that Waterson Closer Hinges start from a size of 4″x4″. If you’re in need of smaller self-closing hinges, we’d recommend checking out some other resources! Also, we only provide single acting closer hinges. Thank you.
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