Under Exception 3 to section 213.2 of the 2010 ADA Standards, a cluster of single-user portable units needs about 5 percent of units accessible, with a minimum of one often cited. Copies of the standard word it differently, so the provider confirms the count. Placement on a firm, level surface matters as much as the unit.
Key takeaways
- About 5 percent of single-user portable units at each cluster are accessible under the 2010 ADA Standards.
- Copies of the standard word the cluster rule differently, so the count is confirmed with the provider.
- Units used only by construction personnel are treated differently from units for public events.
- Placement matters as much as the unit: a firm, level pad and an accessible route.
What does the 5 percent cluster rule require?
About 5 percent of portable units at each cluster must be accessible, and guidance often cites a minimum of one.
Exception 3 to section 213.2 of the 2010 ADA Standards covers single-user portable toilet units. The Access Board guide describes the rule as access to at least 5 percent at each cluster.
Copies of the Standards text read differently. One version says no more than 5 percent, while guidance says at least 5 percent but not less than one. This guide therefore writes the rule as about 5 percent, with a minimum of one often cited.
| Units in a cluster | Accessible units on the minimum-of-one reading |
|---|---|
| 10 | 1 |
| 20 | 1 |
| 40 | 2 |
| 60 | 3 |
Are construction-site units covered?
Units used only by construction personnel are treated differently under the cluster rule, but a public event or an open-house day brings the public onto the site and is a different case.
The Access Board guide describes construction-site units used only by construction personnel as exempt. Any El Paso accessible percentage above the federal floor was not sourced.
A site that brings the public onto it should be treated as a public event for this purpose. Ask the provider to confirm the count for that day.
How does placement change whether a unit is accessible?
A compliant unit on a soft or sloped spot can still be unusable, so the pad and the route matter as much as the unit itself.
Place an accessible unit on a firm, level surface with a route a wheelchair can use from the nearest path. On gravel and desert-edge lots, a level pad can take the most arranging.
Ask the provider to check the pad and the route on the site visit, and to mark the accessible unit on the layout so the event crew knows where it stands.
Frequently asked questions
How many accessible units does a 10-unit cluster need?
The about-5-percent reading with a minimum of one often gives one. Confirm the count with the provider, because the standard's wording differs between copies.
Does the accessibility rule apply to a Sun Bowl game?
Public events generally need accessible units in the mix. Ask the venue and the provider for the count for that game.
Is an accessible unit the same as a flushable unit?
No. Accessibility is about the unit's layout and the route to it. A flushable unit is a different product, so ask for each one separately.
Who confirms the count?
The provider confirms the count for your layout, and the event organiser agrees it. The Access Board guide is the source for the cluster description.
Sources
This guide is general information for El Paso County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.