Guidelines for Selecting and Installing an ADA Compliant Grab Bar

We think of grab bars as a necessity for people who are older or who have disabilities. While that is true, a properly placed grab bar helps prevent falls for everyone. Why? If you start to slip, you'll instinctively reach for the grab bar to help you regain your balance!

The bath and shower areas are the most common places for slip and fall accidents. The combination of water, smooth surfaces and distractions while washing, shampooing or getting in and out of the bathing area can easily lead to loss of balance. As part of an attempt to regain stability, we naturally reach out to grab onto something. Anything. Many a towel bar and soap dish have been yanked out of the wall in an effort to regain our footing. These decorative accessories are not designed to bear weight.

A grab bar is specifically designed to be the correct diameter for the best hand strength. In order to be ADA compliant, grab bars must be able to support up to 250 lbs without ailing. Many can handle much more weight, but a secure installation is an important part of assuring proper weight bearing support

• Most manufacturers will include instructions recommending that the grab bar be installed directly into at least one stud (the vertical beam behind the wall that holds that wall in place), preferably two.

• When studs are not in a position that is usable, the next choice is blocking. Blocking is when you install a piece of wood horizontally, attaching the wood to the studs so that the grab bar can be secured to something stronger than wall board. Blocking is usually installed behind the wall, so it does not interfere with the look of the wall.

• Another acceptable alternative is using special mounting bolts, like WingIts™, SecureMount™ bolts or Toggler™ bolts. These specialized devices spread out several inches behind the wall board which disperses the weight over a larger area. This provides the strength needed to support a weight bearing load.

• Because installation is so critical, we recommend that you have a professional install grab bars for you.

Before you shop for a grab bar, determine where you want to place it.

• You want the grab bar support to be as strong as possible. Look to see where the studs are to help you understand the installation requirements. For example, if the studs are 16" apart, a 24" long bar provides a nice 45° angle.

• You may find that more than one grab bar will be needed, or perhaps you want a special shape with more areas to hold. Mark the wall (with tape or pencil) where you would naturally reach for balance. If you have trouble sitting or standing in the tub area, mark where you would like something to hold onto, or even pull on.

• Are there others in the household? Let them participate in marking the grab bar placement so the resulting grab bar pattern is helpful for the whole family. To accommodate everyone, you might need a longer bar, installation at an angle or an L-shaped bar. Some geriatric professionals recommend a vertical grab bar on the short wall, where the faucet is, to assist as you enter the tub, as well as a horizontal bar on the back wall 7" to 16" above the tub's edge. The also recommend placing another bar at an angle higher up on the wall.

Even though you have mapped out the most convenient place to reach out for the grab bar, you may need to compromise somewhat on the placement to establish the most secure mounting. The positioning of the grab bar might mean that you need to change how you approach the tub or shower so that you can use the grab bar to help you move around safely. Bear in mind, if you can't reach the grab bar easily, it won't be of any use to you. (For commercial installations and public housing, please see the ADA Guidelines for proper placement ranges.)

© Copyright 2009 Dynamic Living, Inc.
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