Expert: Sharon Toji - 7/2/2011

Question
Hello,

we have two bathrooms, and one has a 30" door.
Its a one story apt (in a 34 story high-rise in Jersey City).

The main bathroom has a code -standard door.
The second bathroom (in our bedroom) has a smaller door.

The dept of buildings just failed our inspection b/c of that 2nd door.
Are there any exceptions, especially since we already have one bathroom that is compliant?

Answer
My only expertise on door width has to do with accessibility for persons with disabilities. If it's an apartment on the first floor, I know that in California, it might come under accessibility standards. However, I'm not sure why more than one bathroom would need to be accessible. Does New Jersey have any rules for "universal design?" Even then, most universal design rules just mean that you have to be able to enter the residence, and access one toilet facility. I'm trying to think of the best places to refer you. Of course NJ could have more stringent rules than the regular building codes. Normally, a brand new building might have to have all doors that width, but this doesn't sound like a new building. You could check with the Housing and Urban Development office on Fair Housing rules, which govern many apartment buildings, and ask them. You could also check with PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America.) They have a person very knowledgeable about building codes that have to do with accessibility. The only other concern could be fire safety, but I don't think a 30 inch wide door is considered unsafe from that point of view. One resource might be a licensed plumbing contractor. They might know all the residential codes that relate to sanitary facilities.

I did google and found a possible solution -- a swing away hinge that is supposed to add two inches. You can see it at http://www.adaptiveaccess.com/offset_hinges.php/  Of course that might not satisfy the inspector, but it should widen the door access.

Good luck, and I hope you find the answer. Sometimes it's just an inspector with a "bee in his bonnet" and you can find the code, and contest the inspector's opinion. You should ask to see the code citation that shows that ALL residential sanitary facility doors must have 32 inch wide openings.

Sharon Toji