Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 13, 2005 06:01am | #1

   Kohler and TOTO both make ADA bowls, probably all American made ones do.

   I go 36" above floor.

   Google got me this
   http://www.cleaninglink.com/Safety_Library/Restroom_ADA_Guide.htm

    

    

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2. 
   piko | Jul 13, 2005 08:36am | #2

   I'll often come home and say to the missus "I've spent the afternoon in the bath with my customer". In other words, each instal is based upon the HO's needs. Some need to drag themselves up out of the tub, some need it to steady themselves, others want it to double as a towel-rail....   I've found that 24", or longer, bars can be angled in order to work one's way upwards, but in preference I use the angled ones. Sometimes I'll put 2 or 3 - a horizontal for in the tub, and a vertical one to aid getting in and out. No matter which way you place them, make sure that they are screwed to either the studs or some blocking installed prior to closing in. Consult your local codes or BI for regs.

   ciao for niao

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.

    

1. 
   jimz | Jul 13, 2005 05:37pm | #3

   I agree with Piko ... afterall it's their bathroom, not a public bath.

   As a volunteer with our local Council on Aging, I work with the homeowner as to how they enter & exit their baths and then place it where THEY want it.  Somethings to add are that: 1) most folks find the knurled 1 1/4" dia. bars more comfortable to grasp (vs. the ADA 1 1/2" std.), and 2) when working with preformed units, you need to use Wingets to make the mounting; these hollow-wall anchor like devices are expensive ($20 - 30 each) and are generally found at most plumbing supply stores. Rookie

1. FHB Editor
   JFink | Jul 13, 2005 07:41pm | #4

   It's hard for me to believe that there isn't a code for this kind of thing?

    Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

1. 
   Ruth | Jul 13, 2005 10:40pm | #5

   You can get code requirements from the ADA (http://www.adaportal.org/) but when installing grab bars for a particular user, you really need to check out the idiosyncracies of the space and the user's size, mobility, strength and mental state, as other posters have noted. And what works right now may not work so well a few months down the road, so be prepared to make adjustments. Ruth DobsevageTaunton New Media

2. 
   Shacko | Jul 13, 2005 11:27pm | #7

   There is a code for these things!

3. 
   DanH | Jul 13, 2005 11:40pm | #9

   The ADA code only applies to public buildings, and even that code is fairly vague in the area of grab bars.Plus, as others have said, a private residence should be customized for the resident. The bars I put in my aunt's home, eg, were a good six inches lower than what I would use for myself, since she's about 4-6.

4. 
   Piffin | Jul 14, 2005 12:48pm | #11

   Maybe you didn't follow the link I put up with the code requirements in it. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. FHB Editor
   JFink | Jul 14, 2005 04:07pm | #14

   What do I have to do everything around here!?  ;)

   Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

   Edited 7/14/2005 9:08 am ET by JFink

3. 
   Shacko | Jul 13, 2005 11:25pm | #6

   I don't know where you live, but in Maryland if you call ADA they will send you a manual that tells all that you want to know.  [In Md. its free]. Luck.

4. 
   DanH | Jul 13, 2005 11:36pm | #8

   For a standard standing grab bar in a shower, it should be on a wall parallel to the shower spray (at right angles to the wall with the shower head) and horizontal or slightly slanted upward towards the shower head. Height should be maybe 3-4 inches above the lowest height that the person can grab while standing without bending down.

   For a shower, the next bar should generally be a vertical one on the end wall nearest to where they enter/exit. It should be possible for the person to transfer grip between the two bars without having to stretch.

   For tub-sitting, the bars need to be arranged to steady getting in/out and to provide a place to pull up when getting out of the tub. This will vary with tub orientation and the individual's abilities. It's generally good to have a (usually clamp-on) bar attached to the edge of the tub as well.

   For attaching bars Wing-Its are great.

   For retrofitting a toilet, you can add an elevated seat and attach bars to the floor/wall on either side, or get a sort of bedpan toilet that can (with pan removed) be set over the regular toilet, providing hand bars and elevated seat.

   Be aware that you need considerable width for a toilet, to accommodate the bars on either side without crowding the occupant.

   A toilet for someone WC-bound is a different issue. Often they will want a roll-in shower and will use a "commode chair" (waterproof WC with a toilet-seat style bottom) for shower and toilet. For a commode chair you need a toilet the chair can straddle without interference from walls, bars, etc.

1. 
   TurtleBoy | Jul 14, 2005 06:26am | #10

   Thanks to all for the advice. I will have my FIL tell me what height he'd like to have the bar at before the install.

   What are the WING-ITS and where can I get them?

   Also I need a reliable stud finder, any make and model would be greatly appreciated.

   Thanks again for all the help, Turtleboy

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 14, 2005 12:53pm | #12

   If you don't have blocking in, you have a problem. The forces that a grab bar need to handlke cannot be borne by a wing behind sheet rock. For a handicapped person to rely on the grab bar, and then have it fail and rip out of the wall is a terrible scenario 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   DanH | Jul 14, 2005 04:05pm | #13

   Wing-its meet federal standards for grab bar anchoring, when placed in a sound tile-over-drywall wall. They fall just short on straight drywall, but would be close enough to satisfy most folks.http://www.wingits.com/%5EWingIts/home/

2. 
   piko | Jul 14, 2005 04:51pm | #15

   I agree. In fact our British Columbia Building Code is very specific on the reqs. (But only IF a grab bar is installed - -there is no actual req's to do so) The bar must take 1.3 kiloNewtons....translated 300 footpounds. In other words, a 150lb person falling 2' must be supported. I doubt even tile would help here.ciao for niao

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.