4.2 Accessible Showers, Bathtubs & Drinking Fountains

Accessible Showers, Bathtubs & Drinking Fountains

Bathing fixtures and drinking fountains are where accessibility geometry meets scald protection. The IPC sets the fixture rules: Section 410 for drinking fountains, Section 412.3 for shower valves and Section 412.5 for bathtub temperature limits. ICC A117.1-2017 sets the accessible dimensions: Section 602 for drinking fountains, 607 for bathtubs, 608 for showers, 609 for grab bars and 610 for seats. Plans examiners verify compartment sizes, clearances, seats, grab bars, control locations and temperature limits on the fixture schedule and enlarged plans.

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Accessible Shower Compartments (ICC A117.1-2017 Section 608)

A117.1 recognizes three accessible shower types: transfer-type, standard roll-in-type and alternate roll-in-type.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                 Accessible Shower Compartments                   │
├────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┤
│   36" x 36" Transfer Shower    │   60" x 30" Roll-In Shower     │
│   (Clear inside dimension)     │   (Minimum clear inside)       │
│                                │                                │
│   ┌──────── 36" ────────┐      │   ┌────────── 60" ──────────┐  │
│   │ Control   Back-wall │      │   │ Back wall: controls,    │  │
│   │ wall      bar to 18"│      │   │ grab bar from seat edge │  │
│36"│                     │      │30"│                         │  │
│   │ Seat wall (opposite │      │   │ Folding seat on end wall│  │
│   │ the control wall)   │      │   │                         │  │
│   └─────── 36" entry ───┘      │   └──── 60" wide entry ─────┘  │
│    Clearance: 36" deep x       │    Clearance: 30" deep x       │
│    52" long (new buildings)    │    60" long along the opening  │
└────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────┘

1. Transfer-Type Showers (Sections 608.2.1, 608.3.1 and 608.4.1)

• Size (608.2.1.1): A clear inside dimension of 36 inches wide by 36 inches deep, measured at the center point of opposing sides, with an entry at least 36 inches wide.
  • Why the size is fixed: The dimension is stated as 36 by 36 rather than a minimum, so a seated bather can reach the control wall and the grab bars. An oversized "transfer" shower defeats that purpose.
• Clearance (608.2.1.2): In new buildings, a clearance at least 36 inches deep and 52 inches long adjacent to the open face, with the length measured from the control wall or from 4 inches behind it. In existing buildings, the clearance is 36 inches deep by 48 inches long from the control wall.
• Seat (608.2.1.3 and 610.3): A folding or non-folding seat on the wall opposite the control wall, 17 to 19 inches above the bathroom floor, extending to within 3 inches of the compartment entry.
• Grab Bars (608.3.1): Horizontal bars across the control wall and on the back wall to a point 18 inches from the control wall, at 33 to 36 inches to the top of the gripping surface. A vertical bar at least 18 inches long goes on the control end wall, 3 to 6 inches above the horizontal bar and within 4 inches of the front edge. No bars go on the seat wall.
• Controls and Hand Shower (608.4.1): On the control wall opposite the seat, 38 to 48 inches above the shower floor, and within 15 inches of the control wall centerline toward the opening.
• Threshold (608.6): Not more than 1/2 inch high, and beveled, rounded or vertical. An existing facility may use 2 inches where a lower threshold would disturb slab reinforcement.

2. Standard Roll-In Showers (Sections 608.2.2, 608.3.2 and 608.4.2)

• Size (608.2.2.1): A clear inside dimension of at least 60 inches wide by 30 inches deep, with an entry at least 60 inches wide.
• Clearance (608.2.2.2): At least 60 inches long by 30 inches deep along the open face. A lavatory complying with Section 606 may sit at the end of the clearance opposite the seat.
• Seat (608.2.2.3): A folding seat on an end wall is required. A fixed seat is allowed only if it does not overlap the minimum clear inside dimension.
• Grab Bars (608.3.2): A back-wall bar begins at the edge of the seat (never above the seat) and extends to within 6 inches of the side wall opposite the seat; it need not exceed 48 inches. Where a side wall opposite the seat is within 72 inches, that wall also gets a horizontal bar (not required to exceed 30 inches) and an 18-inch vertical bar.
• Controls (608.4.2): On the back wall, not above the seat, 38 to 48 inches above the floor and 16 to 27 inches from the wall behind the seat.
• Threshold (608.6): At most 1/2 inch, complying with Section 303 (up to 1/4 inch may be vertical; 1/4 to 1/2 inch must be beveled no steeper than 1:2).

3. Alternate Roll-In Showers (Section 608.2.3)

At least 60 inches wide by 36 inches deep, with a 36-inch entry at one end of the 60-inch width and a seat wall 24 to 36 inches long on the entry side. A folding seat is provided on the seat wall.

Comparison Table: Accessible Shower Configurations

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Hand Showers, Valves & Water Temperature

Hand Showers (A117.1 Sections 607.6 and 608.5)

Accessible bathtubs and showers need a hand shower with a hose at least 59 inches long that works as both a fixed head and a hand-held unit, with a nonpositive shutoff control. An adjustable-height hand shower on a vertical bar must not obstruct the grab bars. Exception (608.5): Outside Accessible units and Type A units, a fixed shower head at most 48 inches above the shower floor may be used instead of a hand shower.

Shower Valves (IPC 412.3)

Individual shower and tub-shower combination valves must be balanced-pressure, thermostatic, or combination balanced-pressure/thermostatic valves conforming to ASSE 1016/ASME A112.1016/CSA B125.16 or ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1, installed at the point of use. ASSE 1016 calls these Types P, T and T/P. The valve must be rated for the flow of the installed shower head and have a means to limit the maximum setting to 120°F (49°C), field-adjusted per the manufacturer's instructions. Gang showers on one tempered supply use an ASSE 1069 or CSA B125.3 automatic temperature control mixing valve, or individual 1016 valves at each head (IPC 412.4).

Bathtub Valves (IPC 412.5)

Bathtub and whirlpool bathtub valves must have, or be supplied by, a water-temperature-limiting device conforming to ASSE 1070/ASME A112.1070/CSA B125.70, or by a water heater complying with ASSE 1082 or ASSE 1084. The limit is 120°F. A combination tub/shower valve complying with 412.3 satisfies this requirement.

Accessible fixtures also cap delivered water at 120°F (A117.1 607.8 for bathtubs and 608.8 for showers). Water at 140°F can cause a full-thickness burn within seconds, which is why the limit matters most for bathers with reduced sensation.

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Accessible Bathtubs (ICC A117.1-2017 Section 607)

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│             Accessible Bathtub Grab Bars (Plan)        │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│   Head End Wall        Back Wall          Control End  │
│   ┌──────────┬─────────────────────────┬──────────────┐│
│   │ 12" bar  │ Upper bar 33"-36" AFF   │ 24" horiz.   ││
│   │ (remov-  │ Lower bar 8"-10" above  │ + 18" vertical│
│   │ able seat│ rim                     │ controls     ││
│   │ only)    │                         │              ││
│   └──────────┴─────────────────────────┴──────────────┘│
│   Clearance: 30" deep x full tub length                │
│   (+12" past head wall with a permanent seat)          │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Clearance (Section 607.2)

A clearance 30 inches deep extending the full length of the bathtub is provided in front of it. Where a permanent seat is at the head end, the clearance extends at least 12 inches beyond the head-end wall.

Seats (Sections 607.3 and 610.2)

Either a permanent seat at the head end or a removable in-tub seat is required. Seats are 17 to 19 inches above the bathroom floor. Removable seats are 15 to 16 inches deep and must be capable of secure placement. Permanent seats are at least 15 inches deep and extend from the back wall to or beyond the outer edge of the tub.

Grab Bars (Section 607.4)

1. Back Wall, both seat types: Two horizontal bars, one at 33 to 36 inches above the floor and one 8 to 10 inches above the rim.
   • Permanent seat (607.4.1.1): Each bar is within 15 inches of the head-end wall and extends to within 12 inches of the control-end wall.
   • Removable seat (607.4.2.1): Each bar is at least 24 inches long, within 24 inches of the head-end wall, and extends to within 12 inches of the control-end wall.
2. Control End Wall (607.4.1.2): A horizontal bar at least 24 inches long beginning near the front edge, plus a vertical bar at least 18 inches long, 3 to 6 inches above the horizontal bar and within 4 inches of the front edge. A continuous L-shaped bar of equivalent dimensions may serve both functions.
3. Head End Wall (607.4.2.3, removable seat only): A horizontal bar at least 12 inches long at the front edge of the tub.

Controls and Enclosures (Sections 607.5 and 607.7)

Controls other than drain stoppers are on an end wall, between the rim and the grab bar and between the open side and the tub centerline. Enclosures may not obstruct controls or transfers, and tracks may not be installed on the tub rim.

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Drinking Fountains (IPC Section 410 & ICC A117.1-2017 Section 602)

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│               High and Low Drinking Fountains           │
├──────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────┤
│ Wheelchair Unit          │ Standing Unit               │
│ Spout outlet: 36" max    │ Spout outlet: 38"-43"       │
│ Forward approach with    │ No knee clearance required; │
│ knee and toe clearance   │ protrusion limits apply     │
│ Spout >= 15" from        │ Spout <= 5" from front edge │
│ vertical support,        │                             │
│ <= 5" from front edge    │                             │
│ Water stream >= 4" high  │ Water stream >= 4" high     │
└──────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────┘

The High/Low Requirement (IPC 410.3)

Where drinking fountains are provided on an exterior site, on a floor or within a secured area, not fewer than two are required (IPC 410.3.1): one for people who use a wheelchair and one for standing persons. A single fountain with two separate spouts meeting both sets of requirements may substitute. Where more than the minimum are provided, half must be wheelchair units and half standing units (IPC 410.3.2). Fountains are not required for occupant loads of 15 or fewer (IPC 410.2), and they may not be installed in public restrooms (IPC 410.5).

Wheelchair Fountains (A117.1-2017 Section 602.2)

• Clear Floor Space (602.2.1): Positioned for a forward approach, centered on the fountain, with knee and toe clearance complying with Section 306. In new construction the clear floor space is 30 by 52 inches. Children's fountains may use a parallel approach.
• Spout Height (602.2.3): Spout outlet at most 36 inches above the floor (30 inches for children's fountains).
• Spout Location (602.2.4): At least 15 inches from the vertical support and at most 5 inches from the front edge, including bumpers.
• Knee and Toe Clearance (Section 306): Knee clearance at least 27 inches high and 8 inches deep at 27 inches (11 inches deep at 9 inches); toe clearance extending at least 17 inches beneath the element.

Standing Fountains (A117.1-2017 Section 602.3)

• The spout outlet is 38 to 43 inches above the floor (children's: 30 to 43 inches), at most 5 inches from the front edge.
• No knee clearance is required, but a wall-mounted unit with its leading edge between 27 and 80 inches above the floor may protrude at most 4 inches into circulation space (A117.1 Section 307.2).

Water Flow (Sections 602.2.5 and 602.3.4)

The spout provides a stream at least 4 inches high. Spouts within 3 inches of the front of the fountain are angled at most 30 degrees, and spouts 3 to 5 inches from the front at most 15 degrees, measured horizontally from the front face.

Bottle Filling Stations (Section 602.4)

New in A117.1-2017: bottle filling stations need a clear floor space for a forward or side approach, with hand-operated controls complying with Section 309 or automatic controls. A filler built into the standing fountain need not comply if one is provided at the wheelchair fountain. Under IPC 410.4, water dispensers may replace up to half of the required fountains only where three or more are required.

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Plan Examiner Review Checklist: Showers, Tubs & Fountains