What's Wrong With This Photo - 5/8/24
Recently on a road trip near Atlanta, GA, I stayed in a hotel that assigned me to a room for disabled individuals. In that hotel room I found some interesting, and disappointing, installations. Please look at the photo on the right. What’s wrong? HINT: What’s the difference between a grab bar and a towel bar?
ANSWER: Apparently nothing, according to this hotel! Using the grab bars in a guest room for disabled individuals to hang the towels is just fine!
However, there are significant differences between grab bars and towel bars, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
2010 ADA Standard 609.3, [Grab Bars] Spacing, states, “The space between the wall and the grab bar shall be 1½ inches (38 mm). The space between the grab bar and projecting objects below and at the ends shall be 1½ inches (38 mm) minimum. The space between the grab bar and projecting objects above shall be 12 inches (305 mm) minimum.” Clearly these towels are within 12 inches of the top of grab bars. And realistically speaking, how is an individual who needs to use the grab bars going to be able to work around all these towels. So obviously the towels have to be relocated. The graphic below is representative of this Standard.
Grab Bar Spacing Above and Below the Bar
What may not be so obvious is the height of the side wall grab bar. Note the difference between the height above the adjacent floor for the side wall grab bar versus the rear wall grab bar. The rear wall grab bar is the correct height at approximately 35 inches above the adjacent floor. Clearly the side wall grab bar is well under 33 inches above the adjacent floor.
2010 ADA Standard 609.4, [Grab Bars] Position of Grab Bars, states, “Grab bars shall be installed in a horizontal position, 33 inches (840 mm) minimum and 36 inches (915 mm) maximum above the finish floor measured to the top of the gripping surface…” The graphic below is representative of this Standard.
Grab Bar Height Requirement for Toilets
Towel bars fall into the category of storage devices, similar to clothes rods. Types of storage include, but are not limited to, closets, cabinets, shelves, clothes rods, hooks, and drawers. Where provided, at least one of each type of storage must be within the reach ranges specified in 308; however, it is permissible to install additional storage outside the reach ranges. The 2010 ADA Standards limit the height of storage items to at least 15 inches and not more than 48 inches above the adjacent finished floor.
SUMMARY: Grab bars are not storage devices. Nothing should be stored or placed on the tops of grab bars to include towels, toilet paper rolls, air refresheners, etc. Grab bars must be installed so the top of the gripping surface is 33-36 inches above the finished floor. Hotels should train staff not to place anything on top of grab bars.
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