Multi-User Shower Installations and the ADA
Multi-user shower installations in Title II and Title III facilities must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In multi-user bathing facilities, as in single-user bathrooms, the requirements are based on the type and number of bathing fixtures and elements provided. An example of a multi-user bathing facility is shown below.
Multi-User Bathing Facility
The graphic below is a plan view schematic of the multi-user bathing facility shown in the image above.
Multi-User Bathing Room Plan View
As in all bathing rooms there are requirements for clear spaces at elements and a turning space in the bathing room. Clear spaces can overlap other clear spaces and and the turning space. The door maneuvering space can overlap the turning space. Elements cannot overlap the door maneuvering space. The graphic below is representative.
Multi-User Bathing Facility Clear Spaces and Turning Space
Gang Showers
Another type of multi-user shower is referred to as gang showers. Gang showers were common in the past as communal shower installations found in gymnasiums and other similar facilities. Gang showers are large open spaces where a number of people can shower at the same time. Gang shower installations are being replaced by facilities with individual shower spaces. Privacy is low in gang showers, but costs to install a gang shower are also lower than shower facilities with individual shower spaces.
Nonetheless, where gang/communal showers are provided, a fully compliant shower is required. Either a transfer compartment or a roll-in compartment can be integrated with a gang shower to achieve ADA compliance. The photo below is representative of a transfer shower in a gang shower area.
Transfer Shower Included in a Gang Shower
The photo below is representative of a gang shower with roll-in capability. The shower head installation on the right has the ADA accessible controls. A folding seat can be included in this solution as specified for roll-in compartments.
Gang Shower with Roll-In Capability and Accessible Controls
Scoping Requirements
The scoping requirements for multi-user shower facility elements to include toilet stalls, toilets, urinals, sinks, mirrors, and showers in multi-user bathing rooms are covered in the 2010 ADA Standard 213. The technical requirements for these installations are referenced within the scoping requirements shown below.
2010 ADA Standard 213.3.1, Toilet Compartments [Stalls], states, “Where toilet compartments are provided, at least one toilet compartment shall comply with [Standard] 604.8.1. In addition to the compartment required to comply with [Standard] 604.8.1, at least one compartment shall comply with [Standard] 604.8.2 [Ambulatory] where six or more toilet compartments are provided, or where the combination of urinals and water closets totals six or more fixtures.” Standard 604.8.1 provides the technical details for a wheelchair accessible toilet stall installation and Standard 604.8.2 provides the technical details for an ambulatory toilet stall installation.
So at least one toilet compartment/stall must be accessible, and maybe more depending on the total number of toilets and urinals. Ambulatory accessible toilet compartments are required in addition to the wheelchair accessible compartment in multi-user toilet rooms with six or more toilet compartments or, where the combined total of toilets and urinals is six or more.
2010 ADA Standard 213.3.2, Water Closets, states, “Where water closets are provided, at least one shall comply with [Standard] 604.” Standard 604 provides the technical requirements for a toilet installation.
2010 ADA Standard 213.3.3, Urinals, states, “Where more than one urinal is provided, at least one shall comply with [Standard] 605.” Standard 605 provides the technical requirements for a urinal installation.
2010 ADA Standard 213.3.4, Lavatories, states, “Where lavatories [sinks] are provided, at least one shall comply with [Standard] 606 and shall not be located in a toilet compartment.” Standard 606 provides the technical requirements for a lavatory/sink installation.
2010 ADA Standard 213.3.5, Mirrors, states, “Where mirrors are provided, at least one shall comply with [Standard] 603.3.” Standard 603.3 provides the technical requirements for a mirror installation.
2010 ADA Standard 213.3.6, Bathing Facilities, states, “Where bathtubs or showers are provided, at least one bathtub complying with [Standard] 607 or at least one shower complying with [Standard] 608 shall be provided.” Standard 607 provides the technical requirements for a bathtub installation and Standard 608 provides the technical requirements for a shower installation.
All the Standards above, plus many more, will need to be referenced to make sure adequate accessible elements are installed in multi-user bathing facilities.
SUMMARY
Multi-user shower installations, including gang showers, in Title II and Title III facilities must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The requirements for toilet stalls, toilets, urinals, sinks, mirrors, and showers in multi-user bathing rooms need to be referenced to make sure adequate accessible elements are installed in multi-user bathing facilities.
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