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 alternate 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 an alternate roll-in shower. Note that in this photo the end wall was digitally removed for clarity.

2010 ADA Standard 608.2.3, [Shower Compartment] Alternate Roll-In Type Shower Compartments, states, “Alternate roll-in type shower compartments shall be 36 inches (915 mm) wide and 60 inches (1525 mm) deep minimum clear inside dimensions measured at center points of opposing sides. A 36 inch (915 mm) wide minimum entry shall be provided at one end of the long side of the compartment.” Dimensions in the shower are measured to the center point(s), both vertical and horizontal, of opposing walls.

So the main differences between a standard and alternate roll-in shower include the width of the entry and location of the bench seat, if installed. The alternate roll-in shower will have a short front wall across the front of the shower on one end and the bench seat will be installed on the inside of that wall. The width of the front wall is not specified, but where a seat is provided it should be wide enough to accommodate a folding seat of sufficient size. The graphic below provides a plan view of an alternate roll-in shower without a fold-up bench seat on the front wall.

The 2010 ADA Standards do not provide guidance on a clear space at the entry to the alternate roll-in shower. It is recommended that a clear space of 36 inches wide and 48 inches deep be maintained at the entry to the alternate roll-in shower. The graphic below is representative of the clear spaces in a typical bathing facility with an alternate roll-in shower. Note that a clear space specifically for the roll-in shower is not shown.

It is common to install a fold-up bench seat on the inside of the short front wall of an alternate roll-in shower. The graphic above and the photo below are representative of this installation. In the photo below the closest wall was digitally removed for clarity. Note that 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 608.3.3, [Grab Bars] Alternate Roll-In Type Shower Compartments, states, “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.” The graphic below is representative of split grab bars for an alternate roll-in shower without a bench. Grab bars can be split or continuous.

A benefit of the alternate roll-in shower compartment is that it provides a grab bar within reach from the seat on the opposite wall. The grab bar on the side wall adjacent to the seat is dimensioned so that it does not overlap the seat when down. With a folding seat, the controls, faucet, and shower spray unit can be located on the back wall opposite the seat instead of the side wall. The graphic below [front wall digitally removed] is representative of this installation.

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 608.5.3, [Controls] Alternate Roll-In Type Shower Compartments, states, “In alternate 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 located on the side wall adjacent to the seat 27 inches (685 mm) maximum from the side wall behind the seat or shall be located on the back wall opposite the seat 15 inches (380 mm) maximum, left or right, of the centerline of the seat. Where a seat is not provided, the controls, faucets, and shower spray unit shall be installed on the side wall farthest from the compartment entry.” The graphic on the right is where the controls are located on the side wall adjacent to the seat. The graphic below is representative of a controls installation on the rear wall of an alternate roll-in shower opposite of the seat.

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 Alternate Roll-In Shower Floor Plan

The following photos and graphics depict a floor plan for a single-user bathing facility with an alternate roll-in shower that has a seat. The first photo below is a representative bathing facility with an alternate 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, which is the case here. 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 alternate 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 an alternate roll-in shower have ADA requirements for size of the shower, clear spaces for other elements, door maneuvering space, grab bars, controls, and a shower threshold. The 2010 ADA Standards do not 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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