Accessible Shower Design & Planning Resources
ADA Principles • Barrier-Free Design • Safe Shower Planning
Plan accessible bathing spaces with a clearer understanding of shower configurations, dimensions, clearances, seating, grab bars, controls, thresholds and complete-bathroom considerations.
Start With the Person — Not the Product
Accessible bathing design begins with understanding how the space will actually be used.
Questions to Consider
- How will the person enter the shower?
- How will the person transfer or maneuver?
- Is adequate clear floor space available?
- Can the user reach the controls and shower equipment?
- Where should grab bars and reinforcement be provided?
- Is shower seating required or appropriate?
- Can the space accommodate changing mobility needs?
Compare Accessible Shower Types
Transfer, standard roll-in and alternate roll-in showers have different dimensional and configuration requirements.
Transfer-Type Shower
Designed for a person to transfer onto a shower seat.
Standard Roll-In Shower
Designed to allow a wheelchair or other wheeled mobility device to enter the shower compartment.
Alternate Roll-In Shower
The ADA Standards also recognize an alternate roll-in configuration.
This configuration has different provisions for grab bars, controls and seating.
A roll-in shower is not simply a shower with the curb removed. The complete configuration must be evaluated.
The dimensions above are from the 2010 ADA Standards for applicable covered facilities. For standard roll-in showers, the ADA Standards specify a 30" × 60" minimum clearance adjacent to the open face. A lavatory may be permitted within part of this clearance when the applicable exception is met.
Plan the Shower Interior as a System
Grab bars, structural reinforcement, seating and controls should be coordinated with the selected shower configuration.
Grab Bars & Reinforcement
Grab-bar requirements vary according to the shower configuration. Transfer showers, standard roll-in showers and alternate roll-in showers do not all use the same grab-bar arrangement.
Plan before the wall is closed.In residential dwelling units, wall reinforcement may be provided to permit later installation of compliant grab bars where permitted by the applicable requirements.
Shower Seating
Shower-seat requirements depend on the shower configuration, facility type and applicable requirements.
A folding or non-folding seat is required in transfer-type shower compartments. Folding seats are required in roll-in showers in transient lodging guest rooms with mobility features.
In residential dwelling units, a seat is not required in a transfer-type shower when compliant wall reinforcement is provided for future installation.
Shower Controls
Control placement needs to be coordinated with the shower configuration.
ADA §608.5 contains different provisions for transfer, standard roll-in and alternate roll-in showers.
Controls, faucets and shower spray units must also comply with the applicable operable-parts requirements.
Coordinate Equipment, Thresholds & Enclosures
Accessible shower planning extends beyond compartment dimensions.
Hand-Held Shower Spray
Under ADA §608.6, a shower spray unit with a hose at least 59 inches (1500 mm) long must be provided where the provision applies. The unit must be capable of use both as a fixed-position shower head and as a hand-held shower and must have an on/off control with a non-positive shut-off.
In facilities that are not medical care facilities, long-term care facilities, transient lodging guest rooms or residential dwelling units, a fixed shower head located no more than 48 inches above the shower finish floor may be permitted instead of a hand-held spray unit.
Thresholds & Shower Entry
Under ADA §608.7, thresholds in roll-in shower compartments are limited to 1/2 inch (13 mm) maximum. In transfer-type shower compartments, thresholds are also limited to 1/2 inch maximum and must be beveled, rounded or vertical.
In existing facilities, a transfer-type shower may have a threshold up to 2 inches (51 mm) maximum where providing a 1/2-inch threshold would disturb the structural reinforcement of the floor slab.
Shower Enclosures
The shower enclosure should be considered as part of the accessible design.
Under ADA §608.8, shower enclosures cannot obstruct required use of controls, faucets, shower spray units or transfer to a shower seat.
Think Beyond the Threshold
- Finished floor elevation
- Waterproofing
- Drainage
- Shower slope
- Surrounding floor
- Approach space
- Mobility-device access
- Enclosure configuration
The Shower Is Only One Part of the Bathroom
An accessible shower does not automatically make the entire bathroom accessible or ADA compliant.
The surrounding bathroom may also require consideration of accessible routes, clear floor space, maneuvering space, turning space, toilet clearances, lavatory clearances, doors, controls and other elements.
Does the ADA Apply to Every Home?
The ADA applies to facilities and entities covered by the law. A private residence used exclusively as a residence is generally not covered by Title III. However, the application of the ADA depends on the type of facility, entity and activity involved.
Do not assume an ADA dimension is automatically a legal requirement for every private residence.
Plan Today. Be Ready for Tomorrow.
Accessibility planning can also be useful when a person does not currently use a wheelchair.
Common Accessible Shower Planning Mistakes
Transfer and roll-in configurations have different requirements.
A threshold is only one component of accessibility.
Grab-bar planning should happen before the wall is finished.
Control location needs to be coordinated with the shower configuration.
The surrounding bathroom matters.
The applicable legal requirements depend on the project.
Compliance depends on the applicable requirements and the complete installation.
Accessible Shower Planning Checklist
Use this checklist as a starting point when coordinating an accessible bathing project.
Project
- Identify the facility type
- Determine whether ADA requirements apply
- Identify applicable accessibility requirements
- Review applicable codes and regulations
- Determine whether the project is new construction or an alteration
Shower
- Select transfer or roll-in configuration
- Verify dimensions
- Verify entry width
- Review required clearances
- Review threshold
- Plan drainage
- Plan seat where required
- Plan grab bars
- Plan structural reinforcement
- Locate controls
- Plan shower spray unit
- Review enclosure configuration
Complete Bathroom
- Review accessible route
- Review maneuvering space
- Review turning space
- Review door location
- Coordinate toilet
- Coordinate lavatory
- Review other applicable requirements
Accessible Shower Solutions
LG Showers provides accessible and barrier-free shower systems for a variety of residential and commercial applications.
When evaluating a shower system, consider the specific project’s dimensions, entry configuration, threshold, wall reinforcement, seating requirements, grab-bar provisions, control configuration, drainage, enclosure compatibility and installation requirements.
Important Information
This LG Showers resource is provided for general educational and informational purposes. It is not legal, architectural, engineering, accessibility, construction or code-compliance advice.
Accessibility requirements vary according to facility type, project scope, applicable laws, regulations, codes and standards.
References to the Americans with Disabilities Act refer to applicable provisions of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
ADA requirements do not automatically apply to every residential project.
Users should consult the applicable authority having jurisdiction and qualified professionals for project-specific requirements.
LG Showers does not represent that use of this educational resource alone establishes compliance with any law, code or standard.