Which toilet grab bars do I need and where should I place them to be ADA compliant? (Quantity, Shape, Length, Wall Location, and Placement Height).
This is a guide for commercial toilet grab bar placement (such as in a public facility), where grab bar placement must abide by ADA handicap placement guidelines.
For residential toilet grab bar placement (such as in a private home), where placement is at the discretion of the user and not subject to ADA, read our Toilet Grab Bar Placement Guide.
Grab bars are required by ADA law in accessible toilet rooms. Understanding ADA grab bar installation guidelines is critical for being issued a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A new building cannot be legally occupied until a CO has been issued, and incorrect installation of grab bars can result in inspection failures and delayed openings. Don’t let this happen to you!
ADA law requires toilet grab bars to be placed in the following locations:
- Rear wall horizontal grab bar. (Mandatory)
- Side wall horizontal grab bar. (Mandatory)
- Side wall vertical grab bar. (Contingent upon local building code.)
#1 Rear Wall Horizontal Grab Bar:
Is this grab bar placement mandatory?
- Yes!
How many do I need?
- Only 1!
What is the standard grab bar length?
- 36″. This can be purchased on our toilet grab bars page.
What are the ADA grab bar placement requirements?
- A 36 inches (915 mm) minimum length grab bar, mounted 33-36 inches (840-915 mm) above the finished floor, is required behind the toilet.
- The grab bar must extend at least 12 inches (305 mm) from the centerline of the water closet toward the side wall and at least 24 inches (610 mm) from the centerline of the water closet toward the open side.
- Exception: Where wall space will not permit a grab bar 36 inches (915 mm) minimum in length, reinforcement for a rear wall grab bar 24 inches (610 mm) minimum in length centered on the water closet shall be provided.
To abide by ADA Compliance, purchase a “Grab Bar ADA Compliance Commercial Toilet Pack” listed below:
#2 Side Wall Horizontal Grab Bar:
Is this grab bar placement mandatory?
- Yes!
How many do I need?
- Only 1!
What is the standard grab bar length?
- 42″. This can be purchased on our toilet grab bars page.
What are the ADA grab bar placement requirements?
- A 42 inches (1065 mm) minimum length grab bar is required on the side wall, spaced a maximum of 12 inches (305 mm) from the back wall and extending a minimum of 54 inches (1370 mm) from the back wall at a height of 33-36 inches (840-915 mm).
- Exception: Where a side wall is not available for a 42-inch (1067 mm) grab bar, the sidewall grab bar shall be permitted to be 24 inches (610 mm) minimum in length, located 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the rear wall.
To abide by ADA Compliance, purchase a “Grab Bar ADA Compliance Commercial Toilet Pack” listed below:
#3 Side Wall Vertical Grab Bar:
Is this grab bar placement mandatory?
- This is not required by ADA but it is required by ANSI, which depends on local building code! Read more below.
How many do I need?
- Only 1!
What is the standard grab bar length?
- 18″. This can be purchased on our toilet grab bars page.
What are the grab bar placement requirements?
- A vertical grab bar 18 inches (457 mm) minimum in length shall be mounted with the bottom of the bar located between 39 inches (991 mm) and 41 inches (1041 mm) above the floor, and with the center of the bar located between 39 inches (991 mm) and 41 inches (1041 mm) from the rear wall.
When is this grab bar placement required?
- The ADA Standards require horizontal grab bars on the rear wall and side wall of the water closet, but it DOES NOT specify a vertical grab bar. However, oftentimes, you will also see a vertical grab bar on the side wall in the accessible stall. The vertical grab bar is only specified in the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, which is another accessibility code standard.
- Some architects/designers will specify the vertical grab bar on their drawings just to ensure that they do not receive a comment from the city or because they are unsure of local building code and include it just to cover their butt. Also, this vertical bar is very helpful for people with disabilities and it is not an expensive addition to the overall budget of the project.
- If you are unclear if your local building code requires the side wall vertical grab bar, go ahead and install it just to be safe!
To abide by ADA Compliance, purchase ADA compliant Grab Bars on AquaChase.net
View Additional Placement Guides:
Showers:
Bathtubs:
Toilets: