HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 3/15/2022 - Memorandum From Marcus Coldiron And Russ Hovland Re: Touch-Free Restroom Building Code RequirementsPlanning, Development & Transportation Services
Community Development & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.416.2740
970.224.6134- fax
fcgov.com
Date: March 3, 2022
To: Mayor Arndt and City Councilmembers
Thru: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Director of Planning, Development and Transportation
Paul Sizemore, Director of Community Development & Neighborhood Services
From: Marcus Coldiron, Chief Building Official
Russ Hovland, Senior Plans Examiner
Re: Touch-free restroom building code requirements
The purpose of this memo is to respond to a Council question about touch-free restroom
requirements in the current and new proposed building code.
Background
Touch-free restrooms has been a local building code requirement since 2008 and remains so
today. These requirements are carrying over into the new proposed 2021 IBC code.
Local code amendment 2902.1.4 of the IBC requires that occupancies associated with food
preparation or food service to the public shall be provided with:
1. Automatic touch-free water control valves on lavatories.
2. Automatic touch-free paper towel dispensers.
3. Toilet facilities exit doors that allow exiting without requiring touching by hand of any
door hardware such as knobs, levers, sliding bolts, latches and similar devices. (single-
user restroom doors may have locking hardware to afford privacy, doors may swing
inward or outward).
These provisions ensure that people are able to use the restroom in one of these facilities without
the need to touch buttons or levers, paper towel dispensers, or exit doors with the hands. This is
verified on plans submitted at permit application, and many times city plans examiners require a
correction to the plans to show compliance.
Example
In 2016 Serious Texas BBQ restaurant submitted an application for permit B1601275 located at
2001 S. Timberline Road. Upon review, a city plan review comment was:
#5. Touch-free restrooms are required which usually means out-swinging doors. Provide revision
showing how this will be provided.
A revision was received showing out-swinging doors, and the plans were approved. Upon
completion of the project, inspectors verified the doors were correctly installed.