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American Walk-In Tubs
 
Every year, thousands of elderly Americans fall in their bathrooms.
Many of them are seriously injured and some are disabled...

The Facts:
  • Falls in the home can cause fatal injuries
  • Falls are the leading cause of accidental death for the elderly
  • They account for about half of all accidental deaths in the home
  • Statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention show that:
    • 1 in 3 Adults 65 and older falls each year in the USA
    • Every 18 seconds, an older adult is treated for a fall, and every 35 mintues someone in the USA dies as a reult of their injuries.
  • More than 90% of hip fractures among adults ages 65 and older are caused by falls
  • Older adults are hospitalized for fall related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes
The Effects:
  • The ones who fall, have a 20 to 30% chance to suffer from moderate to severe injuries which make it hard to live independently
  • Falls can increase the chances of early death
  • The fear of falling can limit activity, which can decrease muscle strength, flexibility and increase the chances of another fall
The definition of ADA? How to make a shower ADA approved?

American Disability Act ( ADA ) is a civil rights act to protect people with disabilities, ensuring them the right to equal accessibility in all facilities.

The reasons for a Barrier Free Shower?

Since showering seated doesn't allow you to properly clean certain areas of your body, the roll in shower gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself immediately with no hassle of transferring.

Below are the general guidelines of ADA compliance:

ADA Accessibility Guidelines

Clear Floor Space for Wheelchair Access

wheelchair clear floor spaceClear space measuring at least 30" x 48" must be provided to accommodate a single wheelchair.

The space can be positioned for a forward or parallel approach to equipment.

A portion of the clear floor space may be located under fixtures, lavatories or accessories as long as the required knee and toe clearance for people in wheelchairs is provided.



Wheelchair Turning Space

A wheelchair requires at least 60" in diameter to make a 180 degree turn.

To conserve space, a T-shaped turning space with aisles 36" wide allowing a three-point turn is also acceptable.

A portion of the diameter or T-shaped turning space may be located under fixtures, lavatories or accessories as long as the required knee and toe clearance is provided.

wheelchair turning space

Mounting Heights

ADAAG guidelines specify that 48" (1220 mm) is the maximum height for a forward reach (unobstructed).

high forward reach from wheelchair

The maximum forward reach over an obstruction with knee space below is 25" (635 mm). When the obstruction projects 20 to 25 inches (510 mm to 635 mm), the maximum high forward reach is 44 inches (1120 mm).

maximum reach over an obstruction from a wheelchair

Maximum Side Reach

If the depth of the obstruction is 24 inches (610 mm) and the maximum height of the obstruction is 34 inches (865 mm), the maximum high side reach over the obstruction is 46 inches (1170 mm).

Countertop (and Sink) Clearances

The countertop or lavatory, should not exceed a height of 34". To allow a forward approach by people in wheelchairs, a clear floor space in front of the lavatory at least 30" wide and 48" deep must be provided with no more than 19" extending under the lavatory.

A lavatory installed in a countertop should be placed within 2" of the front edge for maximum accessibility.
Exposed plumbing under barrier-free lavatories must be either insulated or located to eliminate any contact. Sharp edges must be avoided. A removable protective panel or shroud can be installed underneath an existing lavatory as long as required knee clearance is maintained.

maximum side reach

 

wheelchair accessibility lava

Controls and operating mechanisms

Faucets for accessible lavatories, showers and baths and controls for accessible toilets, urinals and other restroom accessories must meet ADAAG specifications.

All push buttons, valves, knobs and levers must be operable with one hand, without twisting the wrist or tightly grasping or pinching the control. The maximum force required to operate a faucet or control must not exceed 5 lb. Self-closing faucets that remain open at least 10 seconds are acceptable.


Handicap Toilets (Water Closets)

All restrooms that include toilet stalls in new construction must provide at least one accessible standard compartment that complies with ADAAG requirements. A standard compartment has a minimum width of 60" and a length that allows using a wheelchair to approach the toilet either from the front or side. Horizontal grab bars must be mounted behind the toilet and on the nearest wall or partition.

An alternate compartment, with a width of 36" and grab bars on either side, is acceptable in alterations where a standard stall is technically impossible. An alternate compartment is required in addition to a standard compartment in all new construction that provides six or more stalls.

Seat heights must be 17" to 19" above the finished floor. Flush controls must be placed on the open side of the toilet with the most clear floor space and mounted no higher than 44" above the finished floor.

ADA toilet

Handicap Urinals

When urinals are provided in men's restrooms, the design must include at least one wall-hung or stall-type handicap urinal with an elongated bowl installed with its rim no more than 17" above the finished floor. Although ADA does not specify the dimension, several states, including California, Texas and Illinois, require a urinal lip to extend a minimum of 14" from the finished wall. Flush controls must be mounted no more than 44" above the finished floor and comply with ADAAG specifications. A minimum clear floor space 30" wide by 48" deep must be provided to allow forward approach to the urinal.

ADA Showers
Wheelchair accessible ADA Showers can be either 1) Roll in Showers or 2) Transfer Showers.

ADA roll in showers must provide an inside shower dimension of 60" (1220 mm) x 30" (716 mm). The controls and spray unit on the back (long) wall shall be located a maximum of 27 inches (685 mm) from the side wall where the seat is attached.

ADA roll in shower no seatADA roll in shower with folding seat

ADA Transfer Showers must have inside dimensions of 36" (915 mm) x 36" (915 mm), The clear floor space shall be at least 48" (1220 mm) and allow for a parallel approach. The clear floor space shall extend 1 foot beyond the shower wall on which the seat is mounted.

 

ADA transfer shower