Grab Bar Placement

If cognitive skills are a factor grab bars location should represent the cognitive deficits present for instance the shower curtain can hide a grab bar if a person is unsafe and prone to falls from getting up and out of the shower on their own.

Grab bar placement.

Normally grab bars that are fastened to the wall by a toilet are placed at a height of 33 to 36 inches that s 840 to 915 mm. Grab bar height there is no standard height requirement for residential installation of grab bars and everyone s needs are different. Because of the direction though vertical grab bars provide less wall coverage when you re walking than other grab bars. There are three different types of grab bars vertical horizontal and diagonal.

Two grab bars shall be installed on the back wall one located in accordance with 609 4 and the other located 8 inches 205 mm minimum and 10 inches 255 mm maximum above the rim of the bathtub. Horizontal bar should go along the side wall 34 36 inches above the floor. But as a rule of thumb in ada compliant bathrooms grab bars are installed 33 inches to 36 inches off the finished floor. They are also very flexible and mobile although once your holes are drilled they are drilled.

Another quick and easy way to improve tub safety is to use a safety grab bar like this one. Vertical entrance bar should go close to the shower door jamb. Vertical grab bars are easier to grip help with limited balance and are easier to use for people with arthritis. Shower stall grab bar placement here are a few rules of thumb for where to place grab bars in your shower.

What is the best height for bathroom grab bars. Two grab bars shall be installed on the back wall one located in accordance with 609 4 and the other located 8 inches 205 mm minimum and 10 inches 255 mm maximum above the rim of the bathtub. The professional approach to grab bar location will use anthropometrics. Each grab bar shall be installed 15 inches 380 mm maximum from the head end wall and 12 inches 305 mm maximum from the control end wall.

Something is always close at hand and the next bar is never too far away. Keep in mind that the goal of each bar placement is to create a handrail of sorts surrounding the bathtub. Unlike a diagonal or vertical placement horizontally positioning of the grab rail provides a hand hold at one pre determined height. Horizontal placement of a grab bar provides increased coverage in the horizontal plane.

This is useful in situations where a lot of movement is anticipated and the shower is medium to large in size.