ADA Requirements for Shower Chairs

ADA Shower Seat Requirements

 

Posted on November 29, 2014 by bfadmin

The Americans with Disabilities Act was implemented to regulate and enforce accessibility standards for newly designed and constructed public facilities. It is a set of standards which by-law must be upheld and is directed towards making the country more accessible to those with disabilities. These are the ADA requirements for shower seats.

Structural strength

In order to meet ADA qualification, the seat and its components must be able to withstand 250 pounds of force.

Sizing

For both ADA transfer showers and ADA roll-in showers, either a rectangular or L-shaped seat may be used. The seat must be folding, installed on the side wall, adjacent to the controls and shall extend from the back wall to a point within 3” of the shower entry.

When rectangular folding bench seats are used, the rear edge of the seat should be 2.5 inches maximum off the sidewall, 1.5 inches maximum off the rear wall and an overall depth between 15-16 inches.

Figure (a) is a plan view of a rectangular seat and figure (b) is a plan view of an L-shaped seat. The front edge of each is 3 inches (75 mm) maximum from the compartment entry.

Extent of the seat

L-Shaped Seats: The rear edge of an ADA L-shaped seat shall be 2 1/2 inches maximum and the front edge between 15-16 inches from the front wall. The rear edge of the “L” portion of the seat shall be 1 1/2 inches maximum from the wall and the front edge shall be between 14-15 inches from the wall. The end of the “L” shall be between 22-23 inches from the main seat wall.

Figures (a) shows the “L” is oriented with the narrower portion toward the compartment opening and the base toward the back. The front edge of the narrow portion of the “L” is 15 to 16 inches (380 to 405 mm) from the seat wall and the base end is 22 to 23 inches (560 to 585 mm) from the seat wall. The base of the “L” is 14 to 15 inches (355 to 380 mm) from the adjacent wall. Figure (b) shows that the seat is 2 1/2 inches (64 mm) maximum from the seat wall and the rear edge of the L portion is 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) maximum from the adjacent wall.

Rectangular seats: The rear edge of a rectangular bench seat shall be 2 1/2 inches maximum and the front edge between 15-16 inches from the seat wall. The side edge of the seat shall be 1 1/2 inches maximum from the adjacent wall.

Please respond with any comments or concerns. For the entire set of ADA guidelines visit the ADA regulations.