Handicap Accessible Shower Requirements for ADA Compliance

There are several requirements a handicap accessible shower will need to meet before it’s considered an ADA compliant shower. Those requirements aren’t a one-size-fits-all, though. Transfer and roll-in showers, two of the most common accessible shower models, each have to abide by different standards.

Two Types of Handicap Accessible Shower Units

Every shower needs to have some kind of accessibility (i.e., ADA, FHA, or ANSI compliance), but the minutiae of that accessibility can fluctuate greatly. When it comes to handicap shower requirements, there are two types of showers and accessibility standards you will have to become familiar with.

ADA Compliant Transfer Shower Requirements

Transfer showers require the following features to be classified as ADA compliant:

• An interior that measures at least 36” x 36”
• Clearance of 36” wide and 48” long
• A rounded threshold/curb of no higher than ½”
• Folding or non-folding seats that can withstand at least 250 pounds of force
• Grab bars must be 1.5” from the shower wall and be able to support at least 250 pounds of force
• Shower controls (faucet, spray unit, etc.) have to be at least 38” from the shower floor and no higher than 48”
• Controls should be installed on the sidewall opposite the shower seat 

An ADA compliant transfer shower is meant for standing users who can transfer themselves, without additional assistance, from a walker or wheelchair into the shower. The above standards are the baseline for transfer shower units, but there is some flexibility if you’re operating in a residential home. For example, grab bars and seats are optional in residential contexts, as long as the shower is reinforced with the support needed for the later installation of those accessories.

ADA Compliant Roll-In Shower Requirements

Roll-in showers require the following features to be classified as ADA compliant:

• An interior that measures at least 30” wide and 60” deep
• Clearance of 30” wide and 60” long must be provided adjacent to the opening of the shower unit
• A rounded threshold of no higher than ½”
• A folding seat that can withstand at least 250 pounds of force
• Grab bars shall be provided on the back wall and the sidewall opposite the shower seat and must be able to support at least 250 pounds of force
• Shower controls (faucet, spray unit, etc.) must be located above the grab bar but no higher than 48” above the shower floor. 
• Controls must be installed on the back wall adjacent to the shower seat and no further than 27” from the seat wall.

An ADA compliant roll-in shower stall is designed for wheelchair users and should make it easy for them to roll their wheelchair into the shower. 

Accessible Shower Units at EverFab

EverFab is committed to creating and providing accessible shower units that can meet all the needs of individuals with disabilities. All of our transfer and roll-in units come pre-equipped with ADA compliant grab bars and shower seats, and every model we offer is built with the reinforcement required to install them later, if necessary.

Get in touch with us today if you have any questions about the handicap shower requirements your bathroom project must abide by!