7.4 Bathtubs, Shower Compartments, and Seats
Key Takeaways
Bathtubs need a clearance 30 inches deep along the full length (extending 12 inches past the head end where a permanent seat is provided), a permanent or removable seat, and grab bars arranged for the seat type.
Transfer showers are 36 x 36 inches inside with a 36-inch entry and a clearance 52 inches long (48 inches existing) by 36 inches deep; the seat is on the wall opposite the controls.
Standard roll-in showers are 60 x 30 inches with a 60-inch entry and a 60 x 30-inch clearance; alternate roll-in showers are 60 x 36 inches with a 36-inch entry at one end.
Shower controls and hand showers are 38 to 48 inches above the shower floor; hand shower hoses are 59 inches long with a nonpositive shut-off.
Seats are 17 to 19 inches high and resist 250 pounds; shower and bathtub water is limited to 120 degrees F; roll-in thresholds are 1/2 inch maximum.
7.4 Bathtubs, Shower Compartments, and Seats
Bathtubs (A117.1 Section 607)
| Item | Section | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance | 607.2 | Full length of the tub, 30 in. deep; where a permanent seat is at the head end, the clearance extends 12 in. beyond the head-end wall |
| Seat | 607.3 | Permanent seat at the head end or removable in-tub seat, per 610 |
| Controls | 607.5 | On an end wall, between the rim and grab bar, and between the open side and the centerline of the tub width; comply with 309.4 |
| Hand shower | 607.6 | Hose 59 in. minimum, usable as a fixed head and a hand shower, with a nonpositive shut-off; a vertical-bar mount may not obstruct grab bars |
| Enclosures | 607.7 | May not obstruct controls or transfer; no tracks on the tub rim |
| Water temperature | 607.8 | 120 degrees F maximum |
Bathtub Grab Bars (607.4)
| Bar | Tub with permanent seat (607.4.1) | Tub with removable seat (607.4.2) |
|---|---|---|
| Back wall, upper | Per 609.4 (33 to 36 in.), within 15 in. of the head end wall, to within 12 in. of the control end wall | 24 in. minimum long, within 24 in. of the head end wall, to within 12 in. of the control end wall |
| Back wall, lower | 8 to 10 in. above the rim, same extents | 8 to 10 in. above the rim, same extents |
| Control end wall, horizontal | 24 in. minimum, from near the front edge toward the inside corner | Same |
| Control end wall, vertical | 18 in. minimum, 3 to 6 in. above the horizontal bar, 4 in. maximum inward from the front edge | Same |
| Head end wall | - | 12 in. minimum at the front edge |
An L-shaped continuous bar of equivalent dimensions may replace the separate control-end horizontal and vertical bars.
Shower Compartments (A117.1 Section 608)
| Type | Inside size | Entry | Clearance | Seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer-type (608.2.1) | 36 x 36 in. | 36 in. | New: 52 in. long x 36 in. deep adjacent to the open face, measured from the control wall or from 4 in. behind it; existing: 48 x 36 in. | Folding or non-folding seat on the wall opposite the control wall |
| Standard roll-in (608.2.2) | 60 in. wide x 30 in. deep | 60 in. | 60 x 30 in. adjacent to the 60 in. open face; a lavatory may be at the end opposite the seat | Folding seat on an end wall (fixed seat allowed if outside the minimum inside dimension) |
| Alternate roll-in (608.2.3) | 60 in. wide x 36 in. deep | 36 in. at one end of the 60 in. width | - | Folding seat on a seat wall 24 to 36 in. long on the entry side, opposite the back wall |
Shower Grab Bars (608.3)
- Required horizontal bars are at the same height where multiple bars are used.
- Transfer showers: across the control wall and on the back wall to a point 18 in. from the control wall, plus a vertical bar 18 in. minimum, 3 to 6 in. above the horizontal bar and 4 in. maximum in from the front edge.
- Standard roll-in: back-wall bar from the edge of the seat, not above the seat, extending within 6 in. of the side wall opposite the seat (need not exceed 48 in.); where a side wall is opposite the seat within 72 in., a side-wall bar (need not exceed 30 in.) and a vertical bar are required.
- Alternate roll-in: bars on the back wall and the side wall adjacent to the seat, not above the seat, within 6 in. of the adjacent wall.
Controls and Hand Showers (608.4 and 608.5)
| Shower | Control location |
|---|---|
| Transfer | On the control wall opposite the seat, 38 to 48 in. above the shower floor, 15 in. maximum from the centerline of the control wall toward the opening |
| Standard roll-in | On the back wall above the seat, 38 to 48 in. high, 16 to 27 in. from the wall behind the seat |
| Alternate roll-in | 38 to 48 in. high; on the end wall adjacent to the seat 16 to 27 in. from the wall behind the seat, or on the back wall within 15 in. of the seat centerline |
Hand showers have a 59 in. minimum hose, a nonpositive shut-off, and a holder 38 to 48 in. above the shower floor. In other than Accessible and Type A units, a fixed shower head 48 in. maximum above the shower floor may replace the hand shower.
Thresholds, Enclosures and Temperature
- Thresholds (608.6): Roll-in showers 1/2 in. maximum per 303; transfer showers 1/2 in. maximum, beveled, rounded or vertical. In existing transfer showers where a 1/2 in. threshold would disturb the slab reinforcement, up to 2 in. is allowed.
- Enclosures (608.7): May not obstruct controls or transfer.
- Water temperature (608.8): 120 degrees F maximum.
Seats (Section 610)
| Seat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Height (610.2, 610.3) | 17 to 19 in. above the bathroom floor to the top of the seat |
| Removable in-tub seat | 15 to 16 in. deep, capable of secure placement |
| Permanent tub seat | 15 in. minimum deep, from the back wall to or beyond the outer edge of the tub, at the head end |
| Shower seat extent | Transfer and alternate roll-in: along the seat wall to within 3 in. of the entry; standard roll-in: from the control wall to within 3 in. of the entry |
| Rectangular shower seat | Rear edge 2 1/2 in. maximum and front edge 15 to 16 in. from the seat wall; side edge 1 1/2 in. maximum from the back wall (transfer) or control wall (roll-in) |
| Strength (610.4) | 250 lb vertical or horizontal at any point |
Assisted Bathing (IBC 1110.2.3)
Where Section 1108 permits, bathrooms serving Accessible units may use a standard roll-in shower designed for assisted bathing: 60 x 30 in. minimum with a 60-in. entry and a 60 x 30 in. clearance; grab bars on three walls at the same height; no wall-mounted folding seats; controls and hand shower 38 to 48 in. high located to facilitate caregiver access.
A new transfer-type shower compartment is being reviewed. What clearance must be provided adjacent to its open face under ICC A117.1-2017?
48 inches long by 36 inches deep
60 inches long by 30 inches deep
36 inches long by 48 inches deep
52 inches long by 36 inches deep
What are the minimum inside dimensions and entry width of a standard roll-in-type shower compartment under ICC A117.1 Section 608.2.2?
60 inches wide by 30 inches deep with a 60-inch entry
36 inches by 36 inches with a 36-inch entry
60 inches wide by 36 inches deep with a 36-inch entry
48 inches by 30 inches with a 32-inch entry
In a transfer-type shower, at what height must the controls and hand shower be located under ICC A117.1 Section 608.4.1?
34 to 48 inches above the shower floor
38 to 48 inches above the shower floor
15 to 48 inches above the shower floor
40 to 54 inches above the shower floor
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