La. Admin. Code tit. 51 § XIV-411
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024
Section XIV-411 - Minimum Plumbing FixturesA. General. The following general requirements are to be used when applying Table 411 of this Part. 1. Restroom Plumbing Fixtures. Notwithstanding the provisions of LAC 51:I.123.A.2, in new construction, substantial renovation or building additions and in changes of occupancy classification or real property ownership, at least the minimum type(s) of rest room plumbing fixtures provided for in this Section shall be installed, and the minimum number of each type of restroom plumbing fixture shall be in accordance with Table 411 of this Part. The term "substantial renovation" as used in this Paragraph includes, but is not limited to, a renovation/operational change which would trigger the need, pursuant to the requirements of Table 411 of this Part, for additional restroom plumbing fixtures to be installed, even if the occupancy classification itself may not have changed. a. Exception i. When only a real property ownership change occurs, restroom plumbing fixture upgrades to meet the minimum plumbing fixture requirements contained in this Section and Table 411 of this Part are not to be blindly enforced if the state health officer/Office of Public Health has assurances that the prior or existing business held a food permit (e.g., grocery store, restaurant, etc.) under LAC 51:XXIII and the prospective new business owner agrees, in writing to the state health officer/Office of Public Health, to operate the business in exactly the same manner as the prior or existing business owner (e.g., parents sell a business to their children who will operate the business in exactly the same manner) and there have been no documented complaints, within the past five years, about: (a). a lack of toilet room fixtures;(b). urination in non-restroom fixtures or floor areas within the building; or(c). urination on the outside of the building or the premises or adjoining lots or areas, etc.ii. This exception to the normal enforcement procedures (i.e., §411. A.1 of this Code) shall not be applicable when a serious health threat to the public exists.2. Non-Restroom Plumbing Fixtures. Where the construction of buildings and facilities was approved by the state health officer pursuant to Sanitary Code (LAC 51) requirements then in effect, upgrading of such buildings and facilities to comply with the non-restroom plumbing fixture requirements of Table 411 of this Part shall not be required except where: a. substantial renovation or building additions are undertaken; orb. where the occupant or real property ownership thereof or the occupancy classification located therein changes subsequent to the effective date hereof; orc. where a serious health threat to the public health exists, unless otherwise specifically provided hereinafter.3. The term "substantial renovation" as used in §411. A.2 of this code includes, but is not limited to, a renovation/operational change which would trigger the need, pursuant to the requirements of Table 411 of this Part, for additional non-restroom plumbing fixtures to be installed, even if the occupant or the occupancy classification itself may not have changed. 4. Except as may be otherwise specifically noted within Table 411 of this Part, the number of occupants of a building shall be determined by the square feet (sq ft) of usable floor space. In determining the usable floor space, the square foot area of permanent structural building components, food service establishment kitchens, toilet rooms, corridors, stairways, vertical shafts and equipment rooms, when necessary for the operation of building utilities only, may be deducted from the total aggregate floor area. The occupant content and the number of required facilities for occupancies other than listed in Table 411 of this Part shall be determined by the plumbing official. Plumbing facilities in the occupancies or tenancies of similar use may be determined by the plumbing official from Table 411 of this Part.5. In commercial buildings of multiple tenants, common toilet facilities (separate for males and females) for each floor are acceptable in lieu of separate facilities required by this Section only when the applicable building occupant content has common access from within the building. Central facilities shall be installed such that the path of travel to such facilities shall not exceed a distance of 500 feet. The maximum travel distance to the central toilet facilities shall be measured from the main entrance of any store or tenant space. When tenancies, rental units, etc., are to be provided with separate facilities of a partial nature, such facilities are not deductible from the total common facilities required. Tenancies, rental units or other usable areas within a building when separated from the required toilet facilities by walls or partitions without common access openings (i.e., openings through interior walls or partitions that allow access to the toilet facilities) shall be considered independently from the remainder of the building and shall be provided with separate facilities in accordance with this Chapter regardless of the type of occupancy.6. In self-storage (mini-warehouse) complexes, facilities shall not be required in each building, but shall be located at the office or entrance and such that the plumbing official determines the intent of the code is satisfied (see Paragraphs 7 and 8 in §411. A of this Code below). 7. In applying the schedule of facilities recorded in Table 411 of this Part, consideration must be given to the accessibility of the fixtures. Conformity purely on a numerical basis may not result in an installation suitable to the need of the individual establishment. For example, multi-storied buildings shall be provided with toilet facilities on each floor based upon the population of the floor. If building is a multi-purpose facility (i.e., a retail fuel station and a retail store, or a retail fuel station and a retail store and a restaurant, or a retail store and retail fuel station, etc.), the occupancy which requires the largest number of fixtures shall apply.8. Every building and each subdivision thereof intended for public use shall be provided with facilities in accordance with this Chapter. Required facilities shall be directly accessible to the public through direct openings or corridors from the area or areas they are intended to serve. Access to the required toilet facilities for customers shall not pass through areas designated as for employee use only such as kitchens, food preparation areas, storage rooms, closets or similar spaces. Toilet facilities accessible only to private offices shall not be counted to determine compliance with this Chapter. Required facilities shall be free and designated by legible signs for each sex. Pay facilities may be installed when in excess of the required minimum facilities.9. The toilet room entry door shall not be lockable by a user of the facilities when such room contains multiple water closets (or water closet and urinal fixtures) and the fixtures provided therein are required to meet the minimum number of plumbing fixtures required in accordance with Table 411 of this Part.NOTES:
1. The occupant content and the number of required facilities for occupancies other than listed shall be determined by the plumbing official. Plumbing facilities in the occupancies or tenancies of similar use may be determined by the plumbing official from this table. See §411. A.4 of this Code.2. Twenty-four linear inches (610 mm) of wash sink or 18 inches (457 mm) of a circular basin, when provided with water outlets for such space, shall be considered equivalent to one lavatory (see §415. H of this Code). In accordance with LAC 51:XVII.109.B, the minimum number of required public or public use lavatories/hand-washing fixtures shall be located within the toilet room.3. When central washing facilities are provided in lieu of washing machine connections in each living unit, central facilities shall be located for the building served at the ratio of not less than one washing machine for each 12 living units, but in no case less than two machines for each building of 15 living units or less. See §415. E.2.b of this code.4. With the exception of retail stores associated with retail fuel stations and/or restaurant/food service establishments associated with retail fuel stations and retail stores that require two or more different food permits (see note #14 below), a single facility consisting of one water closet and one lavatory may be used by both males and females in the following occupancies subject to the building area limitations (see also LAC 51:XXIII.3119): Occupancy | Total Building Area (sq ft) |
Office | 1200 |
Retail Store (within covered mall) | 3500 |
Laundries (Self-Service) | 1400 |
Beauty Shops, Barber Shops, Tanning Facilities, and Nail Salons | 900 |
Occupancy | Usable Floor Space (sq ft) |
Restaurant/Food Service Establishment (excluding retail fuel stations) | 500 |
Retail Store (excluding retail fuel stations) | 1500* |
*A single facility [normally allowed under Note #4 for a retail store occupancy (excluding retail fuel stations)] does not apply when the conditions of Note #14(a) below exist.
5. Common toilet facilities (separate for males and females) for each floor are acceptable in lieu of separate facilities required by this Section only when the applicable building occupant content has common access from within the building. When tenancies, rental units, etc., are to be provided with separate facilities of a partial nature, such facilities are not deductible from the total common facilities required. See §411. A.5 of this Code. 6. Applicable to small stand-up restaurants and similar occupancies.7.(a). Light manufacturing is applicable to those manufacturers manufacturing finished products which require no special equipment to handle single finished products but may require special equipment to handle the products when packaged in containers containing multiple products,(b). Heavy manufacturing is applicable to those manufacturing processes requiring overhead cranes or similar equipment for the movement of raw materials and/or the finished products.8.(a). Light Storage: Light storage is the storage of items which can be handled without the aid of special handling equipment such as cranes, forklifts or similar equipment,(b). Heavy Storage: Heavy storage is the storage of items which require special equipment for handling such as cranes, forklifts or similar equipment.9. For other than industrial areas of the occupancy, see other applicable type occupancies (applicable to facilities provided due to inaccessibility of those in main or initial occupancy).10. As required by the Minimum Requirements for Sanitation in Places of Employment (ANSI Z 4.1). See §405. C of this Code. 11. If alcoholic beverages are to be served, facilities shall be as required for clubs or lounges; however, this requirement shall not be construed to require a restaurant/food service establishment which serves alcoholic beverages and consists of 500 square feet or less of usable floor space to add any more toilet rooms than the minimum required pursuant to Note #4 above (as long as such small restaurant/food service establishment does not have a wet bar and thus would not fall under the "Club, Lounge, and Restaurants/Food Service Establishments with Club, or Lounge" occupancy classification). See LAC 51:XXIII.3119.12. At the discretion of the plumbing official, one properly sized grease trap for wastewater from the kitchen utensil washing sink(s), dishwashing machine(s), etc., is also required. See §1005. D of this Code.13. Fueling point means the number of fueling hoses which may be activated simultaneously while refueling automobiles or other motor vehicles. See §203 3/4Fueling Point definition of this Code.14.(a). A retail store which requires two or more different food permits (e.g., grocery permit, restaurant permit, etc.) under LAC 51:XXIII and has a combined usable floor space of more than 500 square feet shall be required to provide no less than a minimum of two facilities consisting of one water closet and one lavatory each. See LAC 51:XXIII.3119.(b). A retail store which requires two or more different food permits under LAC 51:XXIII and has a combined usable floor space of 500 square feet or less shall be allowed to operate with a single facility consisting of one water closet and one lavatory used by both males and females. The allowance to operate with a single facility assumes that a wet bar is not located on the premises. See LAC 51:XXIII.3119. 15.(a). Trough urinals may only be used for stadiums, arenas, and jails, prisons, or other institutions of detention or incarceration. Trough urinals, when used, shall conform to the following requirements: They shall not be less than 6 inches deep and shall be furnished with one piece backs and have strainers with outlets at least 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The washdown pipe shall be perforated so as to flush with an even curtain of water against the back of the urinal. This pipe shall be securely clamped as high as practicable to the back of the urinal. Trough urinals, where so equipped, shall have tanks with a flushing capacity of not less than 1 1/2 gallons of water for each 2 feet of urinal length (see §415. L.4 of this Code).(b). Trough urinals shall be figured on the basis of one urinal for each 18 inches of length, provided that: 24-inch urinal equals 1 urinal; 36-inch urinal equals 2 urinals; 48-inch urinal equals 2 urinals; 60-inch urinal equals 3 urinals; and a 72-inch urinal equals 4 urinals (see §415. L.4 of this Code).(c). Privacy screens shall not be required for trough urinals. See §415. L.5.c.i (a) of this Code. 16. If building is a multi-purpose facility (i.e., a retail fuel station and a retail store, or a retail fuel station and a retail store and a restaurant, or a retail store and retail fuel station, etc.), the occupancy which requires the largest number of fixtures shall apply. See §411. A.7 of this Code.17. Drinking fountain requirement may be waived if drinking water is dispensed in an approved, sanitary manner in accord with the requirements of Part XXIII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:XXIII). Minimally, such Part XXIII facility shall hold a health permit from DHH-OPH which requires a three compartment sink and a hand wash lavatory in the food preparation area. Any Part XXIII permitted-facility not meeting this requirement [such as grocery store serving pre-packaged food items only (equivalent to a retail store)] shall install a publicly accessible drinking fountain(s). See LAC 51:XXIII.3119.18. Drinking fountains shall not be required in retail stores with 2,000 square feet or less of usable floor space.19. "Toe" is defined as the point where the Interstate highway's exit/entrance ramp meets the intersecting highway. See §203 of this Code-Toe definition.20. Central facilities shall be installed such that the path of travel to such facilities shall not exceed a distance of 500 feet. The maximum travel distance to the central toilet facilities shall be measured from the main entrance of any store or tenant space. See §411. A.5 of this Code.21. For pre-school children, between the ages of 0-4, fixtures shall be size appropriate for the age of the children being cared for (toilets 11 inches maximum height and lavatories 22 inches maximum height), or if standard size fixtures are used, safe, cleanable step aids shall be provided. See LAC 51:XXI.105.C.5.a.22. Refer to the following Parts of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51) for specific information relative to the number of plumbing fixtures required for these other miscellaneous buildings or occupancies: Building or Occupancy | Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51) |
Wholesale Seafood Plants (Marine and Freshwater) | Part IX |
Campsites | Part XVI |
Jails, Prisons and Other Institutions of Detention or Incarceration (See §415. L.4 of this code) | Part XVIII |
Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Renal Dialysis Centers | Part XIX |
Nursing Homes | Part XX |
Temporary Food Service (Festivals or Fairs) | Part XXIII, Chapter 47 |
Swimming Pools | Part XXIV |
Mass Gathering Areas | Part XXV |
B. Adjustments to Minimum Facilities. When necessary, the following may be utilized to make adjustments to the minimum facilities requirements. 1. The "Persons (total)" column included in Table 411 of this Part is based upon a 50 percent male to 50 percent female ratio. The plumbing official may make adjustments in the distribution of facilities between male and female when furnished satisfactory data to substantiate a claim that the numbers of male and female fixtures in Table 411 of this code would not provide a satisfactory ratio of facilities based on the male -female ratio for the ultimate users. In any case, where deviation is permitted, in accordance with this Section, the plumbing official may require additional facilities if the data submitted proves to be in error or if changes are made that affect such data, whether it be by the original or later owner or occupants of the building or tenancy.2. The plumbing official may make adjustments in the occupant content established by Table 411 of this code when, in a particular case, satisfactory data, accompanied by plans, is furnished which substantiates a claim that the occupant content of a particular building or tenancy will, at all times, be less than provided for in the above table. Approval of such data and accompanying claims shall not prevent the plumbing official from requiring additional facilities based on the above table, should changes be made affecting the data or plan upon which the original approval was based whether such changes be made by the original or ultimate owner or building occupant or occupants. The remainder of the facilities' requirements of §411 of this code are not affected by this paragraph.C. Facilities' Separation. The occupant content established by this code shall not be construed to have any force or effect upon the occupant content requirements of the codes adopted under the authority of Act 12 of the 2005 First Extraordinary Session. The occupant content in this code is established only to calculate the number of plumbing facilities required for a building or for a tenancy within a building when such tenancy is separated from the remainder of the building by walls or partitions or when central facilities would not provide for the satisfactory needs of a tenant's patrons who must remain in a given area to receive the service rendered.La. Admin. Code tit. 51, § XIV-411
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, LR 38:2816 (November 2012), repromulgated LR 39:511 (March 2013), amended LR 41:390 (February 2015).AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:4(A)(7) and R.S. 40:5(2)(3)(7)(9)(16)(17)(20).