Shower Grab Bar Safety Regulations

Among the elderly and handicapped population, all falls are serious. Grab bars and handrails are the most efficient and cost effective addition to a shower or bath. Grab bars give elderly or handicapped persons mobility, freedom to bathe themselves, and less fear of having a fall. These implements, when installed and used in private homes and public areas, ensure maximum safety.

General

• All handrails and grab bars must be accessible by handicapped persons. Many disabled people utilize grab bars and handrails to keep their balance and prevent the incidence of falls that could injure them. Many people brace their forearms between the support and the wall to give them more stability in standing or lifting their own bodies. The grab bar clearance of 1 1/2 inches or 38 millimeters is a guideline for a safety clearance to prevent people's forearms from slipping through the rail. It also provides room for people to grip the bar with their hands.

Strength

• The structural strength of a grab bar or handrail must meet important criteria. The grab bar must be able to support a sheer force equal to a weight of at least 250 pounds. The mounting device must be able to withstand over 250 pounds, so the grab bar or rail does not come out of the wall and cause a serious fall. Grab rails shall not rotate, but should be affixed firmly to the wall. A hand or grab rail should be free of any sharp or abrasive elements.

Size and Spacing

• The diameter or width of the gripping part of the grab bar or handrail should be 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches, or the average shape shall provide an adequate gripping surface. If handrails or grab bars are mounted on an adjacent wall, the space between the wall and the grab bar must be 1 1/2 inches. Handrails may be located in a recess if it is 3 inches deep and extends at least 18 inches above the top of the rail.