ADA vs. ANSI Type A/Type B Shower Requirements | EverFab

TL;DR

Architects should not choose between ADA, ANSI Type A, and ANSI Type B by looking at the shower model first. Start with the building type, occupancy, funding or program requirements, adopted building code, and jurisdiction. Then identify the unit category and bathing-fixture requirements that apply before selecting a product.

• ADA Standards are federal accessibility requirements that apply to covered state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities. Their scoping does not automatically make every multifamily dwelling unit an ADA unit.
• ICC A117.1 Type A and Type B are building-code unit categories. Type B is coordinated with Fair Housing accessibility guidelines, while Type A provides a higher level of accessibility within the A117.1 hierarchy.
• The applicable code edition matters. Local adoption can lag the newest standard, so architects should verify the adopted code and accessibility standard before specifying a shower.

When an architect searches ADA vs ANSI shower requirements, the practical question is not “Which standard is better?” it is “Which requirements govern this project, this unit, and this shower?”

That distinction matters because ADA, ICC A117.1 Type A, ICC A117.1 Type B, and Fair Housing requirements do different jobs. They may overlap on the same project, but they are not interchangeable labels. A shower selected for one accessibility path should not be assumed to satisfy every other path.

For commercial and multifamily projects, the safest specification sequence is to identify the governing requirements first, then select the shower configuration and model documentation that match them.

Start With Scope, Not the Shower Model

The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design establish minimum accessibility requirements for newly designed, constructed, or altered state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities. The ADA also contains scoping rules for specific facility types, including transient lodging, medical and long-term care facilities, and certain residential facilities.

That does not mean every apartment, condominium, or residential dwelling unit is governed by the ADA in the same way. Multifamily projects can also be subject to the Fair Housing Act, state or local accessibility provisions, and building-code requirements that reference ICC A117.1.

The first specification question should therefore be: What law, code, program, or owner requirement creates the accessibility obligation for this part of the project?

For an architect, that typically means confirming:

• The building and occupancy type
• Whether the space is a dwelling unit, transient lodging guest room, institutional room, common-use bathing area, or another facility type
• Federal requirements that may apply, including ADA or Fair Housing requirements
• The locally adopted building code and referenced accessibility standard
• State or local amendments
• Any funding, owner, or program-specific accessibility requirements

Only after that scope is established should the team decide whether a shower needs to follow an ADA-accessible configuration, a Type A dwelling-unit path, a Type B path, or another project-specific requirement.

ADA, Type A, and Type B Serve Different Purposes

The labels can look similar on a product schedule, but they come from different regulatory and code frameworks.

ADA Standards

The ADA Standards are federal accessibility standards. For shower compartments, Section 608 addresses transfer-type, standard roll-in, and alternate roll-in configurations, including dimensions, clearances, grab bars, controls, shower spray units, seats where required, and thresholds.

The U.S. Access Board’s guide to bathing rooms is useful because it explains how those technical requirements work in practice. It also makes an important scoping point: building and plumbing codes determine how many bathing rooms and fixtures are required, while the ADA Standards address accessibility where covered bathing facilities are provided.

ICC A117.1 Type A Units

Type A is a dwelling or sleeping unit category within ICC A117.1, the accessibility standard commonly referenced by model and adopted building codes. ICC describes Type A as a higher accessibility level than Type B and as an adaptable-unit concept that allows certain features to be added or modified to meet a resident’s needs.

Type A requirements are not simply another name for ADA requirements. The adopted building code determines when Type A units are required, and the applicable A117.1 edition supplies the technical criteria.

ICC A117.1 Type B Units

Type B is another dwelling-unit category in ICC A117.1. ICC explains that Type B requirements are coordinated with the Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines. HUD’s Fair Housing accessibility overview emphasizes features such as an accessible route into and through covered units, usable kitchens and bathrooms, and bathroom-wall reinforcement so grab bars can be added later.

That coordination does not mean an architect should treat “Type B” and “FHA” as automatic substitutes in every jurisdiction or project. Fair Housing is a federal legal requirement for covered multifamily housing, while Type B is a building-code category. The project team still needs to confirm the governing law, adopted code, and accepted compliance path.

A Practical Specification Sequence for Architects

A repeatable process can keep code selection from becoming a late-stage product problem.

1. Identify the Project Type and Accessibility Drivers

Start with occupancy, use, unit type, ownership or program conditions, and jurisdiction. A hotel, apartment building, senior living project, dormitory, and public facility can have different accessibility scoping even when the shower products look similar.

2. Confirm the Adopted Code and Accessibility-Standard Edition

Do not assume the newest publication is the edition in force. ICC announced A117.1-2026 for release in fall 2026 and for reference by the 2027 I-Codes. Local jurisdictions may still reference earlier editions. Project specifications should follow the edition actually adopted or otherwise required for the job.

3. Determine the Required Unit Category and Bathing-Fixture Configuration

Once the scoping path is clear, identify whether the applicable unit is accessible, Type A, Type B, or governed by another requirement. Then confirm the specific shower configuration, dimensions, clearance, threshold, seat, grab-bar, controls, and reinforcement criteria that apply.

4. Match the Requirement to Current Model Documentation

EverFab organizes current products by code categories, including ANSI Type A and ADA and ANSI Type B & FHA. Those category pages are a useful starting point, not a substitute for project review. Architects should move from the category page to the current model submittal, architectural specification, and other model-specific documentation before adding a product to the project.

5. Recheck the Selected Configuration Before Release

Accessibility depends on more than the shell. Seats, grab bars, controls, thresholds, drains, reinforcement, installation, and surrounding clearances can affect the final condition. Substitutions and field changes should be checked against the same governing requirement used during design.

Where EverFab Resources Fit in the Workflow

EverFab’s current website gives architects several ways to narrow the product set after the governing requirement is known. The ANSI Type A and ADA product page groups current models associated with that code category and links to model-level information and submittals. The ANSI Type B & FHA page provides a separate product path for adaptable and related configurations. EverFab also publishes architectural specifications and a BIM library for design coordination.

Those resources are most useful after the project team has established the governing requirements. A model appearing in a code category does not by itself establish final project compliance. Final compliance depends on the selected model, configuration, accessories, installation, applicable code edition, and authority having jurisdiction.

For specification work, the goal is not to choose the broadest accessibility label. It is to choose the correct path for the project and document it clearly enough that the selected shower, accessories, and field conditions can be evaluated against the same requirement.

Next Steps

Before naming a shower model in the specification, confirm the governing accessibility path and adopted code edition. Then review EverFab’s ANSI Type A and ADA product category, current model submittal sheets, and architectural resources to identify products that fit the project requirements.