Intro to ADA Grab Bar Compliance
As a part of the ADA policy to provide a safe and usable environment for all people, grab bars, otherwise called "handrails," "towel bars," and "bathroom rails," are required by the ADA and IBC (International Building Code) in and around critical access facilities for people with disabilities. The intent of grab bars is to assist a person in transitioning from a sitting position to a standing position or to remain steady while walking in a particular direction.
The information below provides a general overview of this particular subset of ADA standards. Grab bars must resist the forces and stresses of being used and relied upon by people forward and sideways. This liability and risk of harm is greatest in bathrooms, where people could fall on the hard floor if they lost their balance.
Grab bars must be located at key transition zones. In a bathroom, these include but are not limited to around the toilet, inside and outside of the bath/shower, and at the sink . In the bathroom there are ADA and IBC standards for grab bar width, diameter, material type, mounting style, mounting method, location, and orientation.
ADA grab bar standards tend to apply to public and employer facilities accessible to employees and visitors. However, similar IBC grab bar standards apply to residential facilities, particularly multi-family spaces, such as in apartment buildings.
These standards require grab bars at critical locations in bathrooms. For example, grab bars are required next to the toilet and at the tub and shower wall in each unit for multi-family dwellings.
ADA grab bar guidelines affect how grab bars are selected, purchased, installed, and inspected. One must consider grab bar width, diameter, material type, mounting style, mounting method, location, and orientation. Of course the needs of a person with a disability must be considered in the design.
Vertical Grab Bar Requirements in Detail
The ADA lists the specific requirements for installing vertical grab bars in the following sections:
- 5.2 Grab Bars
- 5.2.1. Horizontal And Vertical Grab Bars. In water closet compartments and in showers at the transfer wall and entry side grab bars shall be provided in accordance with 31 CFR 1192.35.
- 5.2.2 Grab Bar Dimensions. Grab bars shall comply with the following:
(a) Size and Spacing. Grab bars shall comply with Table 604.5.2.2(a) or (b). horizontal grab bars shall be 24 [610 mm] minimum and 36 [915 mm] maximum in length. vertical grab bars shall be 18 [455 mm] minimum and 30 [760 mm] maximum in length. In addition to meeting the dimensional requirements of 31 CFR 1192.35, grab bars shall be 1-1/4 inches (or 32 mm) in outside diameter.
(b) Surface. Grab bars shall have a slip-resistance surface or equivalent.
(c) Clearance from Wall. There shall be a 1-1/2 inch (38 mm) minimum clearance between the finished wall surface and the nearest edge of a water closet compartment grab bar except as follows.
605.4 Grab Bars. Grab bars shall be provided on at least three sides of bathtubs and, in transfer showers, at the entrance side wall, opposite the entrance wall, and on the rear wall. Grab bars shall be provided on at least two sides of shower stalls.
604.5.2.4 Mounting Orientation. Horizontal grab bars shall be mounted with the gripping surface 33 inches (840 mm) minimum and 36 inches (915 mm) maximum above the finish floor. Where a horizontal grab bar is also used as a shower head support, it shall be mounted at no greater than 54 inches (1370 mm) above the finished floor.
Grab Bar Installment Standards
For vertical grab bars, the manufacturers’ instructions are key. We generally are referring to 4 longitudinal standard bars that are installed on the sidewall of a roll-in shower so that one end is at the back of the shower and the other end is at the entry door threshold. It’s critical that the grab bar be able to bear a load of 250 pounds. But physically adding the bar is not that difficult if you take the time to lay out the penetrations before you start trying to drill into walls, doors, or benches.
The grab bars are usually 24 inches long for a – in this case a – 36-inch shower stall, and will have multiple penetrations. Check the manufacturer’s instructions, but in general, for two bars placed vertically, you’ll need 6 to 10 penetrations, and may need a L-bar (90-degree angle) to be installed on the front or side wall.
Pitfalls to Be Wary Of
Contractors and builders often make some common, yet easily avoidable mistakes when installing vertical grab bars in restrooms. Some of the most frequent mistakes include:
1. Misuse of the Correct Grab Bars
While we have covered before that horizontal grab bars are not acceptable on roll in showers, many contractors will use them anyway. The issue is that a horizontal grab bar offers no more support than a horizontal towel bar. The requirements for grab bars in the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards (the "2010 Standards") require the use of vertical grab bars for accessible toilet stalls. Grab bars installed on toilet fixtures such as urinals, or in a shower, must also be vertical or mounted at a 45-degree angle to a wall. While there is one instance where a horizontal grab bar is acceptable, it is unclear whether the requirement in the 2010 Standards is expecting a horizontal grab bar or if it is allowing for a vertical grab bar mounted at a 45-degree angle to a wall. The rule is as follows: 308.3.1 Perpendicular Grab Bars. If only one grab bar is provided in a water closet compartment, it shall be 36 inches minimum in length, positioned 33 inches minimum and 36 inches maximum above the finish floor, and located 1½ inches maximum from the rear wall or the side wall. 308.3.2 Parallel Grab Bars. Grab bars shall be installed at the side wall or the rear wall or both, as follows: 308.3.2.1 Side Wall. If only one grab bar is provided at the side wall, the grab bar shall be 42 inches minimum in length, positioned 33 inches minimum and 36 inches maximum above the finish floor, and located 1 inch minimum and 3 inches maximum from the rear wall or the side wall. If two grab bars are provided at the side wall, they shall be 42 inches minimum in length, positioned 33 inches minimum and 36 inches maximum above the finish floor, and located 1 inch minimum and 3 inches maximum from the rear wall or the side wall. 308.3.2.2 Rear Wall. Grab bars located on the rear wall shall be 24 inches minimum and 30 inches maximum in length, positioned 33 inches minimum and 36 inches maximum above the finish floor, and located 1 inch minimum and 6 inches maximum from the side wall . As you can see, the rear wall grab bar could be interpreted to allow for a grab bar mounted at a 45-degree angle, or military grab. It can be difficult to explain to contractors that sometimes a vertical grab bar is not actually permitted and a horizontal grab bar is appropriate.
2. Installing Grab Bars Too Low
According to the American Disability Act ("ADA"), grab bars must be 33" to 36" above the finished floor. According to the 2010 Standards Section 604.5.1, the top of the grab bar should be 33 inches to 36 inches above the finished floor. Installing them lower than 33" is not compliant with ADA requirements. It is very common to have people maintain restroom floors, or "wax" them, to keep them looking nice. This is usually done with a spray-on wax, which is then buffed into the floor. Repeated floor waxing can add up to ½", making an installed grab bar ½" too low. Another reason that bars are too low can be attributed to using the wrong grab bar. As mentioned above, if contractors use horizontal grab bars, then they actually end up being too low.
3. Not Securing Grab Bars
Grab bars that are used for supporting weight must be on a wall that is securely built with blocking. Blocking can be made of wood or metal and should be 2" x 6" blocking. This is also referred to as Blocking Structural; it is a common construction detail and used to install standard-size upper cabinets in kitchens. Contractors are notorious for not properly installing blocking. The problem is that it can be difficult to correct this after the walls have been covered with drywall. For this reason, whenever a building is being constructed, blocks should be marked on the plans, or even better, with the blocking marked directly on the studs so they can be easily located when the time comes to install the grab bars. Instead of using blocking, some contractors will use angle brackets to support grab bars. Angle brackets however are not approved as an acceptable support system under the 2010 Standards. By avoiding these common mistakes, contractors can help ensure their installations meet the ADA vertical grab bar requirements.
Consequence of Doing It Right
Ensuring compliance with American Disability Act vertical grab bar requirements extends beyond simple placement and visibility. The almost universal understanding that grab bars are needed in toilet stalls and at sink sides is something most people can understand — people with disabilities need added support like grab bars to remain steady and stable while using the restroom. However, grab bars also contribute to safety in many facilities. They provide extra support for all individuals, not just those with limited mobility, and they offer a greater sense of security for those with concerns about falling or slipping. Safety does not necessarily just apply to people with disabilities — we all slip from time to time. Even if a business offers no service to customers with disabilities, it is critical that grab bars be installed in all newer restrooms from the get-go, as older restrooms are being phased out. Proper compliance with ADA grab bar requirements also covers issues that do not necessarily relate to physical access for disabled individuals. For example , if a grab bar is improperly installed or positioned, the bar could be more likely to fall and injure someone than to help them. For this reason, compliance with spacing requirements is vital. The issue of compliance is a tricky one for public facilities. Most government bodies, for example, have a legal obligation to ensure compliance with ADA requirements and to educate businesses that they work with on those requirements. However, while complying with ADA requirements is not optional, the DOJ gives agencies and businesses a surprising amount of leeway in determining how compliance must be accomplished. For example, conflicting guidance from the DOJ has left some businesses unsure of whether grab bars must be located in stalls to fit larger users of the facility. The DOJ has currently suggested publicly that grab bars may be larger, but has a long history of fighting lawsuits over the issue, even where courts have sided with plaintiffs. Such legal confusion is one reason why working with a qualified ADA consult can be a huge benefit.