ADA Grab Bar Requirements for Shower Stalls, Bath Tubs, and Toilet Stalls

 

Note: The source for the information below is the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities as published in the Federal Register July 23, 2004 and amended August 5, 2005. If you would like to see the previous ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities as amended through September, 2002, click here.

Grab Bars in Toilet Stall Requirements:

Side Wall - The side wall grab bar shall be 42 inches (1065 mm) long minimum, located 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the rear wall and extending 54 inches (1370 mm) minimum from the rear wall.

Side Wall
Rear Wall

Rear Wall - The rear wall grab bar shall be 36 inches (915 mm) long minimum and extend from the centerline of the water closet 12 inches (305 mm) minimum on one side and 24 inches (610 mm) minimum on the other side.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. The rear grab bar shall be permitted to be 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum, centered on the water closet, where wall space does not permit a length of 36 inches (915 mm) minimum due to the location of a recessed fixture adjacent to the water closet.

Grab Bars in Shower Stall Requirements

Transfer Type Shower Compartments - In transfer type compartments, grab bars shall be provided across the control wall and back wall to a point 18 inches (455 mm) from the control wall.
 

Plan view shows a grab bar that extends across the control wall and the back wall to a point 18 inches (455 mm) from the control wall.  

Figure 608.3.1 Grab Bars for Transfer Type Showers

Standard Roll-In Type Shower Compartments - Where a seat is provided in standard roll-in type shower compartments, grab bars shall be provided on the back wall and the side wall opposite the seat. Grab bars shall not be provided above the seat. Where a seat is not provided in standard roll-in type shower compartments, grab bars shall be provided on three walls. Grab bars shall be installed 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from adjacent walls.
 

Figure (a) is a plan view of a shower without a seat. Grab bars are provided on three walls that are 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from the adjacent wall. Figure (b) is a plan view of a shower with a seat on one side wall. Grab bars are provided on the opposite side wall and the back wall. The back wall grab bar does not extend over the seat. The grab bars are 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from the adjacent wall.  

Figure 608.3.2 Grab Bars for Standard Roll-In Type Showers

Alternate Roll-In Type Shower Compartments - In alternate roll-in type shower compartments, grab bars shall be provided on the back wall and the side wall farthest from the compartment entry. Grab bars shall not be provided above the seat. Grab bars shall be installed 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from adjacent walls.
 

This figure shows an alternate roll-in shower with a seat. A grab bar extends on the wall opposite the seat and is 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from adjacent walls. Another grab bar is mounted on the side wall adjacent to the seat; this grab bar does not extend over the seat and is 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from the back wall.  

Figure 608.3.3 Grab Bars for Alternate Roll-In Type Showers

608.4 Seats. A folding or non-folding seat shall be provided in transfer type shower compartments. A folding seat shall be provided in roll-in type showers required in transient lodging guest rooms with mobility features complying with 806.2. Seats shall comply with 610.

Grab Bars in Tub Requirements

Bathtubs With Permanent Seats

Back Wall. Two grab bars shall be installed on the back wall, one located in accordance with 609.4 and the other located 8 inches (205 mm) minimum and 10 inches (255 mm) maximum above the rim of the bathtub. Each grab bar shall be installed 15 inches (380 mm) maximum from the head end wall and 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the control end wall.

Control End Wall. A grab bar 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum shall be installed on the control end wall at the front edge of the bathtub.

Figure (a) shows an elevation drawing of a tub with a permanent seat and two parallel grab bars on the back wall. The upper grab bar is mounted 33 to 36 inches (840 to 915 mm) above the finish floor. The lower grab bar is mounted 8 to 10 inches (205 to 255 mm) above the tub rim. Figure (b) is a plan view. A grab bar on the foot end wall is 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum and is installed at the front edge of the tub. The rear grab bars are mounted 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the foot end wall and 15 inches (380 mm) maximum from the head end wall.  

Figure 607.4.1 Grab Bars for Bathtubs with Permanent Seats

Bathtubs Without Permanent Seats

Back Wall. Two grab bars shall be installed on the back wall, one located in accordance with 609.4 and other located 8 inches (205 mm) minimum and 10 inches (255 mm) maximum above the rim of the bathtub. Each grab bar shall be 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum and shall be installed 24 inches (610 mm) maximum from the head end wall and 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the control end wall.

Control End Wall. A grab bar 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum shall be installed on the control end wall at the front edge of the bathtub.

Head End Wall. A grab bar 12 inches (305 mm) long minimum shall be installed on the head end wall at the front edge of the bathtub.
 

Figure (a) is an elevation drawing showing rear grab bars, one mounted 33 to 36 inches (840 to 915 mm) above the finish floor, and one mounted 8 to 10 inches (205 to 255 mm) above the tub rim. Figure (b) is a plan view showing a grab bar on the foot (control) end wall 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum installed at the front edge of the tub. Rear grab bars are 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum and are mounted 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the foot (control) end wall and 24 inches (610 mm) maximum from the head end wall. A grab bar 12 inches (305 mm) long minimum is installed on the head end wall at the front edge of the tub.  

Figure 607.4.2 Grab Bars for Bathtubs with Removable In-Tub Seats

Controls. Controls, other than drain stoppers, shall be located on an end wall. Controls shall be between the bathtub rim and grab bar, and between the open side of the bathtub and the centerline of the width of the bathtub. Controls shall comply with 309.4.
 

Elevation drawing shows the location of controls above the tub rim and below the grab bar and between the front edge of the tub and the tub centerline.  

Figure 607.5 Bathtub Control Location

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

All rights reserved © 2005 ADABathroom.com