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Bathroom Toiltet Clearances to Finish…

| Posted in General Discussion on February 23, 1999 04:55am

*
Per the UBC, what is the minimum clearance for toilets to finish walls. My toilet must be 8″ from the back wall to center of pipe, but what it the clearance to side walls? Thanks in advance?

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  1. Guest_ | Feb 01, 1999 02:25am | #1

    *
    When we remodeled our bathroom last winter, we moved our toilet. It was only 12" from the wall on the side, and it was very annoying. It's now 18" from the wall, which is more than enough. A 16" spacing probably would have been enough.

    As far as the UBC code, I have no idea. This is just how our project turned out.

    1. Guest_ | Feb 01, 1999 02:30am | #2

      *Generally the code specifies 15" from the center of the toilet to any wall or cabinet left or right of it. If I have any say in the bathroom layout, I opt for 18".

      1. Guest_ | Feb 04, 1999 04:59am | #3

        *The code requires a 30" space for the toiet and a 24" clear space in front of the bowl. Inspectors often interpret the 30" requirement to require 15" from center of toilet to surface of wall, but that is getting a bit picky.18" to center from wall is recommended, especially as it is the minimum AND maximum for ADA handicapped access on one side. (The other side is requred by ADA to be much bigger)In minimum-sized residential bathrooms with 3 fixtures on one wall, I use 15" between center of toilet and vanity, and 18" between center of toilet and edge of tub. FHA used to require that for washing babies in the tub.Standard spacing of the pipe to finished wall at back of toilet is 12". I have also seen models that have 10" spacing at the american standard web site. You'll have to check yourself for 8" dimension toilets. Good luck!Gary Wheeler, AIA

  2. timber3 | Feb 04, 1999 10:50am | #4

    *
    I wouldn't use anything less than the 12" spacing at the back.I can't tell you how many times I've seen a hole chopped in the wall when someone went to replace the toilet and the replacement was the larger size.Also the 18" side clearance is advisable.

    1. Dennis_Loeffler | Feb 23, 1999 04:55am | #5

      *According to Modern Plumbing, by Blankenbaker, the center of the opening for the drain should be 12 3/4 inches from the rough wall to allow space for the dry wall and ceramic tile. Makes sense to me.Dennis

  3. Billy_Bob | Feb 23, 1999 04:55am | #6

    *
    Per the UBC, what is the minimum clearance for toilets to finish walls. My toilet must be 8" from the back wall to center of pipe, but what it the clearance to side walls? Thanks in advance?

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