MIL-HDBK-1191
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301-4000
MAY 22 1992
FORCE MANAGEMENT
AND PERSONNEL
MEMORANDUM FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (HEALTH AFFAIRS)
SUBJECT:
Waivers and Modifications of Accessibility Standards
for Psychiatric Ward at Portsmouth Naval Hospital
This responds to your memorandum requesting waivers and
modifications of accessibility standards to protect life safety in
a psychiatric ward.
The following provisions of the Uniform Federal
Accessibility Standards are hereby waived for the psychiatric ward
at Portmouth Naval Hospital:
' 4.16.4--grab bars for water closets
' 4.17.6--grab bars for water closets
' 4.20.4--grab bars for bathtubs
' 4.20.6--shower spray unit for bathtubs
' 4.21.4--grab bars for showers
' 4.21.6--shower spray unit for showers
These standards are being waived because of the need to take
special precautions in design and construction to prevent
psychiatric patients from harming themselves or other people. Grab
bars and protruding shower heads give patients means to commit
suicide by hanging. A hose or hand-held shower unit can be used
for hanging or strangulation or as a weapon. These features
therefore are not required in the psychiatric ward.
Similarly, because lavatories can be removed from the wall
and used as weapons, vandal-proof lavatories are desirable in
psychiatric wards. The typical vandal-proof lavatory is 14 inches
wide, 12 inches deep, and 10 inches high. The typical accessible
lavatory is 20 inches wide, 18 inches high, and 6 inches high.
Accordingly, the following modification of ' 4.19.2(M) is
authorized for the psychiatric ward at Portsmouth Naval Hospital:
4.19.2(M) Height and Clearances. Vandal-proof (prison-
style) lavatories shall be mounted so that 50 percent comply
with Figure 31(b) and 50 percent with Figure 31(c).
The lavatories in Figure 31(b) shall be mounted with rim or
counter surface no higher than 38 inches (965 mm) above the
finished floor. Provide a minimum knee clearance of 27
inches (685 mm) below the lavatory. The lavatory shall
project a minumum of 12 inches (305 mm) from the wall.
The lavatories in Figure 31 (c) shall be mounted with rim or
counter surface no higher than 34 inches (865 mm) above the
finished floor. Provide a minimum knee clearance of 23
inches (585 mm) below the lavatory. The lavatory shall
Apdx D-20
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