Adult Changing Tables Will Soon be Required 

To address the lack of adult changing stations in the community, the International Code Council (ICC) A117 committee established a task group including ADA experts, advocates/caregivers, code officials, suppliers of the tables, and architects to develop code change (approved to be included in the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) and specifications (published as part of the next edition of the ICC A117.1 accessibility standard in 2023). 

 

Where Will Adult Changing Tables Be Required?

The following locations will be required to install Universal changing tables according to the 2024 International Building Code.

• Assembly and mercantile locations that require a total of 6 or more male and female water closets. (Including, but not limited to movie theaters, concert halls, banquet halls, casinos,  swimming pools, lecture halls, museums, places of worship, arenas, skating rinks, stadiums, amusement parks, airports, department stores, shopping malls, etc.)

• College or university business occupancies, where an aggregate of 12 or more male and female water closets/urinals are provided on any floor in a building. 

• Elementary & high school educational occupancies with an assembly use, where 6 or more male and female water closets is required for that assembly use. (e.g., high school basketball gymnasiums where the number of occupants in the seating would require 6 or more water closets).

• Highway rest stops and service plazas (e.g., the rest stops provided directly on the major highway — not the rest stops at exits).

• Located such that a person is no more than two stories above or below the story with the adult changing station and the accessible path of travel to such a facility shall not exceed 2000 feet. In large facilities, such as airports or sports arenas, this would be an adult changing station in approximately half of the family/assisted use toilet rooms.

• The required accessible routes to adult changing stations shall not pass through security checkpoints.

​

​

 

Changing Table and Restroom Specifications 

• The following specifications have been discussed and a committee will be formed in 2023 to finalize safety standards for adult changing stations.

• The adult changing table may be located in single user, multi-user, family, assisted use toilet or bathing rooms.   If located in multi-user toilet rooms, privacy must be provided.

• The changing surface must be at least 70 in. X 30 in. and comprised of non-porous and durable materials

• The changing surface must be height-adjustable from at least 17 in. to 38 in. above the floor.

• There must be at least 36 in. of clearance on the long side of the table, and 36 in. on one short side of the table. 

• The changing table must include a side rail for safety, a minimum of ⅔ the length of the changing surface and centered.  Rail must be capable of being raised and lowered, with it locking in the raised position. It must extend at least 5 in. above the surface of the table. When lowered, should not be in way of transferring individual

• Safety belts are highly recommended for the safety of individuals who move or have seizures.

• Capacity – allowable stresses for materials, fastening mounting devices, and support structure shall support a downward force of not less than 400 lbs applied to any point on the changing surface

​

Single Use Restooms (such as a family/companion care bathroom) must contain:

Dispenser for soap

Hand towel dispenser or hand dryer

Coat hook located in proximity to the changing surface

Waste receptacle

Signage indicating Adult changing station provided at entrance to the room

​

Multi-user toilet or bathing rooms 

In addition to what is listed above, privacy must be provided by walls, curtains or partitions enclosing the compartment. 

 

Adult changing station and its supporting structure shall not obstruct required clear floor spaces and clearances at accessible elements, maneuvering clearances at doors, or the wheelchair turning space.