ADA Roll In Shower Stalls for Wheelchair Access

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What is an ADA Roll in Shower?

  ADA Roll in showers have a minimum inside dimension of 60” x 30’’ to accommodate someone rolling into the shower in a wheelchair or rolling shower chair. They have a flush or ultra low threshold so a rolling chair can easy be propelled or pushed into the shower.

• What makes a Roll in Shower ADA compliant?

  The following information is from section 608 Shower Compartments of 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

  Inside dimension: must be minimum 60 inches x 30 inches clear inside dimension. Some jurisdictions may require a minimum 60” x 36” inside dimension to allow room for a caregiver to assist.

  Outside clearance: must have clearance outside of the shower of 30 inches wide minimum by 60 inches long minimum to that nothing would impede access for someone in a wheelchair.

  Grab bars: if there is a seat installed, Rollin showers must have horizontal grab bars across the back wall and the side wall opposite the seat. Do not place grab bars above the seat. If there is no seat, there should be grab bars on all 3 walls. (Insert Figure-608.3.2-grab-bars-for-Roll-In-Showers)

  Many jurisdictions require a vertical grab bar at the entrance of the roll in shower.  

  Shower seat: A folding seat shall be provided in roll-in type showers required in transient lodging guest rooms. Check with local jurisdiction to confirm if shower seat is required in ADA roll in Showers.

  The top of the shower seat must be 17 inches minimum and 19 inches maximum above the bathroom finish floor. If there is no seat, there should be grab bars on all 3 walls.

  Thresholds: ADA Roll-in showers have a barrier free entry, with a maximum 1/2” high threshold.

  Controls: In ADA Roll in showers, controls, faucet and shower spray unit must be installed above the grab bar, but no higher than 48 inches above the shower floor. If a shower seat is installed, the controls must be installed on he back wall, adjacent to the seat wall, located 27 inches maximum from the seat wall.

  Advisory 608.5.2 In standard roll-in type showers without seats, the shower head and operable parts can be located on any of the three walls of the shower without adversely affecting accessibility.

  ADA Roll in showers must have a shower spray unit with a hose 59 inches long minimum, that can be used as a fixed-position shower head and as a hand-held shower. The shower head must have an on/off control with a non-positive shut off.

• What is the ADA height for Grab bars in a shower?

  In ADA compliant showers, horizontal grab bars should be installed between 33” to 36” above the finished bathroom floor, measured to the top of the gripping surface. Grab bars should not rotate within their fittings. Grab bars should be installed properly into reinforced walls, and should withstand up to 250 lbs of force.

• What size should an ADA shower seat be?

  If a seat is installed in an ADA roll in shower, it must be a folding seat, and should extend from the back wall to a point within 3 inches of the shower entry. For showers that have an inside dimension of 30”, a 26” wide seat is correct.  For showers with an inside dimension of 36” deep, a 32” wide seat is correct.

• What is the proper ADA location for a shower valve?

  In a Roll in type ADA shower, the controls should be installed opposite the seat, between 38-48” above the shower floor, 15 inches maximum from centerline of the seat toward the shower opening.

• Are ADA Roll in Showers compliant in California?

  Yes, California building code only accepts Roll in Type Showers for ADA compliance.