Accessible bathing facilities in Title II and Title III facilities are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This article will discuss the ADA technical requirements for bathing facilities with accessible standard roll-in showers in State and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities. 2010 ADA Standard 608 covers technical requirements for accessible roll-in showers. The photo on the right is representative of an accessible bathing facility with a standard roll-in shower.

2010 ADA Standard 608.2.2, [Shower Compartments] Standard Roll-In Type Shower Compartments, states, “Standard roll-in type shower compartments shall be 30 inches (760 mm) wide minimum by 60 inches (1525 mm) deep minimum clear inside dimensions measured at center points of opposing sides and shall have a 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum entry on the face of the shower compartment.”

2010 ADA Standard 608.2.2.1, [Standard Roll-In Type Shower Compartment] Clearance, states, “A 30 inch (760 mm) wide minimum by 60 inch (1525 mm) long minimum clearance shall be provided adjacent to the open face of the shower compartment.” The graphic below is representative of these two Standards.

In the graphic above, the clear space must abut, or be close to, the shower entry but may be slightly forward of the shower to accommodate tile edges or flanges around the face of prefabricated showers. Dimensions in the shower are measured to the center point(s), both vertical and horizontal, of opposing walls.

The exception to this Standard is that a lavatory (sink) complying with [Standard] 606 shall be permitted on one 30 inch (760 mm) wide minimum side of the clearance provided that it is not on the side of the clearance adjacent to the controls or, where provided, not on the side of the clearance adjacent to the shower seat. The graphic below is representative of this exception.

Providing a folding seat in roll-in shower compartments offers greater usability by allowing transfer options. The ICC ANSI A117.1 Standard, which is referenced by the International Building Code (IBC), requires a folding seat in each roll-in shower compartment.

Grab Bars

2010 ADA Standard 608.3.2, [Grab Bars] Standard Roll-In Type Shower Compartments, states, “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.” The graphic below is representative of a grab bars for a standard roll-in shower without a bench.

The photo below is a standard roll-in shower with a bench on one end and a continuous grab bar.

Note that the A117.1 standard, which provides technical provisions and is referenced by the IBC, requires a vertical grab bar at showers and bathtubs. This vertical grab bar is not required by the ADA Standards.

Controls

2010 ADA Standard 608.5.2, [Controls] Standard Roll-In Type Shower Compartments, states, “In standard roll-in type shower compartments, the controls, faucets, and shower spray unit shall be located above the grab bar, but no higher than 48 inches (1220 mm) above the shower floor. Where a seat is provided, the controls, faucets, and shower spray unit shall be installed on the back [rear] wall adjacent to the seat wall and shall be located 27 inches (685 mm) maximum from the seat wall.” So where a seat is not provided in a standard roll-in type showers, the shower head and operable parts can be located on any of the three walls of the shower without adversely affecting accessibility. The graphic below is representative of a controls installation.

2010 ADA Standard 608.6, Shower Spray Unit and Water, states, “A shower spray unit with a hose 59 inches (1500 mm) long minimum that can be used both as a fixed-position shower head and as a hand-held shower shall be provided. The shower spray unit shall have an on/off control with a non-positive shut-off. If an adjustable-height shower head on a vertical bar is used, the bar shall be installed so as not to obstruct the use of grab bars. Shower spray units shall deliver water that is 120°F (49°C) maximum.” The graphic on the right is representative of this Standard.

An exception to this Standard is that a fixed shower head located at 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the shower finish floor shall be permitted instead of a hand-held spray unit in facilities that are not medical care facilities, long-term care facilities, transient lodging guest rooms, or residential dwelling units.

Shower Threshold

2010 ADA Standard 608.7, [Shower Compartments] Thresholds, states, “Thresholds in roll-in type shower compartments shall be ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum in accordance with [Standard] 303.” Standard 303 requires changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum to be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2. The graphic on the right is representative.

While a threshold height up to ½” (if properly beveled) is permitted, trench drains and other designs that allow a flush transition to the shower floor will provide easier access. Shower floors can slope to drains but it is important that the slope of the floor not exceed a 1:48 cross slope. A 1:48 [2.08%] maximum slope will help control water without impacting accessibility. The graphic on the left is representative of a floor drain at the entry to the shower.

Example Bathing Facility with Standard Roll-In Shower Floor Plan

The following photos and graphics depict a floor plan for a bathing facility with a standard roll-in shower. The first photo below is a representative bathing facility with a standard shower, sink and toilet.

The graphic below is a plan view of the photo above.

Specified clearances are required at the lavatory/sink, water closet/toilet, and shower compartment. Fixture clearances can overlap. The door cannot swing into fixture clearances except in the case of single-user facilities where an unobstructed wheelchair space is provided in the room beyond the arc of the door swing. The graphic below shows these clear spaces. Clear floor space is also required at provided dispensers, receptacles, controls and other operable parts, clothes hooks, and shelves (not shown).

Turning space is required in the room (60 inch diameter circle or a T-shaped space). The turning space can overlap fixture clearances, and doors can swing into the turning space under any condition. Elements with compliant knee and toe space, such as a lavatory, can partially overlap the turning space. The graphic below is representative of a circular turning space in the example bathing room with the standard roll-in shower.

The bathing facility door maneuvering space is shown in the graphic below. The door swing arc is allowed to overlap the turning space but no elements should overlap the door maneuvering space.

Finally, 2010 ADA Standard 608.8, Shower Enclosures, states, “Enclosures for shower compartments shall not obstruct controls, faucets, and shower spray units or obstruct transfer from wheelchairs onto shower seats.” In other words a shower curtain or door cannot compromise access to the shower, shower seat, or controls.

SUMMARY

Bathing facilities with a standard roll-in shower have ADA requirements for size of the shower, clear space adjacent to the shower and other elements, grab bars, controls, and a shower threshold. The 2010 ADA Standards do not directly specify the size of bathrooms which is determined by the layout, the type and number of fixtures, and other factors and design choices. How various requirements are met, including fixture clearances, turning space, and door maneuvering clearance will determine the minimum dimensions of the room.

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If you observe a facility or bathing facility that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

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