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Walls should be prepared (reinforced) to receive grab bars at the time of construction. Grab bars should also be installed in the bath tub, shower and toilet areas at the time of construction.
1. Reinforced areas should bear a static load of 300 lbs. (136kg). The
use of cement board does not negate the need for blocking or plywood reinforcing.
2. Grab bars should be installed 33" - 36" (84cm - 91cm)
above the floor, should be 1 1/4"-1 1/2" (3.2cm-3.8cm) diameter,
extend 1 1/2 (3.8cm) from the wall, support a 300 lbs. (136 kg) load, and
they should have a slip-resistant surface. When shapes other than round
are used for grab bars, the width of the largest point should not exceed
2" (5.1cm). Towel bars must not be substituted as grab bars.
3. Grab bars in bathtub/shower areas should be at least 24"
(61cm) wide on the control wall, at least 12" (30cm) wide on the head
wall and at least 24" (61cm) wide on the back wall, beginning no more
than 12" (30cm) from the control wall and no more than 15" (38cm)
from the head wall. If a second grab bar is desired on the back wall, it
should be located 9" (23cm) above the bathtub deck, the same width
as the grab bar above it.
4. Grab bars in shower stalls should be included on each surrounding
wall (optional on wall where bench is located) and should be no more than
9" (23cm) shorter than the width of the wall to which they are attached.
5 a. The first grab bar in the toilet area should be located on
the side wall closest to the toilet, a maximum 12" (30cm) from the
rear wall. It should be at least 42" (107cm) wide. An optional secondary
grab bar in the toilet area may be located on the rear wall, a maximum 6"
(15cm) from the side wall. It should be at least 24" (61cm) wide.
b. Alternatives for grab bars in the toilet area include, but
are not limited to, side grab bars attached below the toilet seat, a rail
system mounted to the back wall with perpendicular support arms at sides
of the toilet seat, an electronic seat elevator or hand rails suspended
from the ceiling. |
