2022 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2023)

11B-607 Bathtubs

11B-607.1 General.

Bathtubs shall comply with Section 11B-607.

11B-607.2 Clearance.

Clearance in front of bathtubs shall extend the length of the bathtub and shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) wide minimum for forward approach and 30 inches (762 mm) wide minimum for parallel approach. A lavatory complying with Section 11B-606 shall be permitted at the control end of the clearance. Where a permanent seat is provided at the head end of the bathtub, the clearance shall extend 12 inches (305 mm) minimum beyond the wall at the head end of the bathtub.

[2010 ADA Standards] 607.2 Clearance. Clearance in front of bathtubs shall extend the length of the bathtub and shall be 30 inches (760 mm) wide minimum. A lavatory complying with 606 shall be permitted at the control end of the clearance. Where a permanent seat is provided at the head end of the bathtub, the clearance shall extend 12 inches (305 mm) minimum beyond the wall at the head end of the bathtub.

(a) removable in-tub seat

parallel approach

(b) permanent seat

parallel approach

(c) removable in-tub seat

forward approach

(d) permanent seat

forward approach

FIGURE 11B-607.2 CLEARANCE FOR BATHTUBS ‡‡

11B-607.3 Seat.

A permanent seat at the head end of the bathtub or a removable in-tub seat shall be provided. Seats shall comply with Section 11B-610.

11B-607.4 Grab bars.

Grab bars for bathtubs shall comply with Section 11B-609 and shall be provided in accordance with Section 11B-607.4.1 or 11B-607.4.2. Where separate grab bars are required on adjacent walls at a common mounting height, an L-shaped or U-shaped grab bar meeting the dimensional requirements of Section 11B-607.4.1 or 11B-607.4.2 shall be permitted.

[2010 ADA Standards] 607.4 Grab Bars. Grab bars for bathtubs shall comply with 609 and shall be provided in accordance with 607.4.1 or 607.4.2.

Exceptions:

1. Reserved.

[2010 ADA Standards] 1. Grab bars shall not be required to be installed in a bathtub located in a bathing facility for a single occupant accessed only through a private office and not for common use or public use provided that reinforcement has been installed in walls and located so as to permit the installation of grab bars complying with 607.4.

2. In residential dwelling units, grab bars shall not be required to be installed in bathtubs located in bathing facilities provided that reinforcement has been installed in walls and located so as to permit the installation of grab bars complying with Section 11B-607.4.

11B-607.4.1 Bathtubs with permanent seats.

For bathtubs with permanent seats, grab bars shall be provided in accordance with Section 11B-607.4.1.

11B-607.4.1.1 Back wall.

Two grab bars shall be installed on the back wall, one located in accordance with Section 11B-609.4 and the other located 8 inches (203 mm) minimum and 10 inches (254 mm) maximum above the rim of the bathtub. Each grab bar shall be installed 15 inches (381 mm) maximum from the head end wall and 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the control end wall.

11B-607.4.1.2 Control end wall.

A grab bar 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum shall be installed on the control end wall at the front edge of the bathtub.

(a) elevation

(b) plan

FIGURE 11B-607.4.1 GRAB BARS FOR BATHTUBS WITH PERMANENT SEATS

11B-607.4.2 Bathtubs without permanent seats.

For bathtubs without permanent seats, grab bars shall comply with Section 11B-607.4.2.

11B-607.4.2.1 Back wall.

Two grab bars shall be installed on the back wall, one located in accordance with Section 11B-609.4 and the other located 8 inches (203 mm) minimum and 10 inches (254 mm) maximum above the rim of the bathtub. Each grab bar shall be 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum and shall be installed 24 inches (610 mm) maximum from the head end wall and 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the control end wall.

11B-607.4.2.2 Control end wall.

A grab bar 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum shall be installed on the control end wall at the front edge of the bathtub.

11B-607.4.2.3 Head end wall.

A grab bar 12 inches (305 mm) long minimum shall be installed on the head end wall at the front edge of the bathtub. 

(a) elevation

(b) plan

FIGURE 11B-607.4.2 GRAB BARS FOR BATHTUBS WITH REMOVABLE IN-TUB SEATS

11B-607.5 Controls.

Controls, other than drain stoppers, shall be located on an end wall. Controls shall be between the bathtub rim and grab bar, and between the open side of the bathtub and the centerline of the width of the bathtub. Controls shall comply with Section 11B-309.4.

FIGURE 11B-607.5 BATHTUB CONTROL LOCATION

11B-607.6 Shower spray unit and water.

A shower spray unit with a hose 59 inches (1499 mm) long minimum that can be used both as a fixed-position shower head and as a hand-held shower shall be provided. The shower spray unit shall have an on/off control with a non-positive shut-off. If an adjustable-height shower head on a vertical bar is used, the bar shall be installed so as not to obstruct the use of grab bars. Bathtub shower spray units shall deliver water that is 120°F (49°C) maximum.

Advisory 11B-607.6 Shower spray unit and water. Ensure that hand-held shower spray units are capable of delivering water pressure substantially equivalent to fixed shower heads.

11B-607.7 Bathtub enclosures.

Enclosures for bathtubs shall not obstruct controls, faucets, shower and spray units or obstruct transfer from wheelchairs onto bathtub seats or into bathtubs. Enclosures on bathtubs shall not have tracks installed on the rim of the open face of the bathtub.