November is here! Crisp air, snow on the ground for those in the northern region, frost on the grass for those in the southern region, and the holiday season. Here's to wishing you a joyful month and the beginning of the holiday season!

Have you heard of assistive tables? Over the past few years, this plumbing product has been a hot topic in proposed legislation, code development, and standard development. In this column, I'll describe these products, share their other names, and list occupancy requirements for them.

What is an assistive table?

Assistive tables are plumbing products that facilitate and support the personal hygiene of individuals who are physically challenged, disabled, or elderly. While the assistive table is not a new product, it is starting to be mandated in new commercial buildings and in substantial renovations of existing bathrooms. If you do not know the product by the name "assistive table," you may have heard one of its other names:

• Adult changing table;
• Adult changing station;
• Adult changing station counter;
• Assistive table for personal hygiene;
• Universal changing table; and
• Universal changing station.

Some jurisdictions refer to the rooms where the assistive table is located as an adult or universal changing station. In comparison, other jurisdictions call the installation room a family or assisted-use toilet or bathing room. I'll cover the differences between some jurisdictions below.

Some jurisdictions refer to the rooms in which the assistive table is located as an "adult changing station" or "universal changing station." Other jurisdictions call the installation room a "family or assisted-use toilet" or "bathing room."

Why this is important?

Including these products in existing commercial building restroom renovation project designs and new commercial and residential building designs will require new planning considerations, product specifications, and installation protocols.

Jurisdictions and assistive tables

As you can see in the table below, various jurisdictions require assistive tables for new construction in certain occupancies. Be sure to check the requirements for each jurisdiction as they define different thresholds for renovation projects requiring assistive tables.

Various jurisdictions require assistive tables for new construction in certain occupancies. Be sure to check the requirements for each jurisdiction as they define different thresholds for renovation projects requiring assistive tables.

What more can you do?

If you are interested in learning more about upcoming changes for assistive tables, please join me on the IAPMO technical subcommittee writing the assistive table product standard, IAPMO Z1390. If you wish to serve on the IAPMO Z1390 Technical Subcommittee, please download the IAPMO Technical Subcommittee Application Form and email the form to standards@iapmostandards.org.

If you have questions or need assistance, call us at Regulosity. We can help.