Barrier-Free Accessibility Guide for Showers & Tubshowers

At Longevity Acrylics, our dedication lies in crafting showers and tub showers that prioritize accessibility, safety, and intuitive design.

Our lineup of showers and tub showers encompasses designs aligned with provincial barrier-free guidelines for accessible bathrooms. Featuring strategically positioned grab bars, roll-in shower configurations with low curbs or thresholds, and expansive interiors, our products offer effortless access and heightened user safety, catering specifically to individuals utilizing wheelchairs or mobility aids.

Our unwavering commitment to universal design ensures that our offerings deliver clearances, ample maneuvering space, and straightforward usability, effectively meeting the diverse requirements of our clientele. We integrate elements such as textured bottoms, well-illuminated spaces, and efficient drainage to mitigate the risk of accidents and injuries.

When you opt for Longevity Acrylics, you invest in showers and tub showers that adhere to the stringent standards of the Canadian Standards, Barrier-Free B651, national and provincial codes of Canada. We deliver accessibility, safety, and quality without sacrificing style and functionality. Discover the distinction with Longevity Acrylics’ inclusive and accessible bathroom solutions today.

National Building Code of Canada 2020

The National Building Code is the model building code that forms the basis for all the provincial building codes.

Some jurisdictions create their own code based on the National Building Code, other jurisdictions have adopted the National Building Code often with supplementary laws or regulations to the requirements in the National Building Code.

Under the Building Code Act, the local municipality is the authority having jurisdiction for enforcing the Act and its Regulations, and the permit applicants should contact the appropriate local official with respect to any specific proposal or an existing building construction related matter.

National Building Code of Canada 2020
Issued by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes
National Research Council of Canada

The National Building Code of Canada 2020 (NBC), together with the National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020 (NPC), the National Fire Code of Canada 2020 (NFC), and the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2020 (NECB), has been developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) as an objective-based national model code that can be adopted by provincial and territorial governments.

In Canada, provincial and territorial governments have the authority to enact legislation that regulates building design and construction within their jurisdictions. This may involve the adoption of the NBC without change or with modifications to suit local needs, and the enactment of other laws and regulations regarding building design and construction, including requirements for professional involvement.

The NBC is a model code in the sense that it helps promote consistency among provincial and territorial building codes. Persons involved in the design or construction of a building should consult the provincial or territorial jurisdiction concerned to find out which building code is applicable.

3.8.3.17. Showers

Showers required by Sentence 3.8.2.8.(12) shall:
- a) be not less than 1500 mm wide and 900 mm deep,
- b) have a clear floor space at the entrance to the shower that is not less than 900 mm deep and the same width as the shower, except that fixtures are permitted to project into that space provided they do not restrict access to the shower (see Note A-3.8.3.17.(1)(b)),
- c) have no doors or curtains that obstruct the controls or the clear floor space at the entrance to the shower,
- d) have a slip-resistant floor surface,
- e) have a threshold not more than 13 mm higher than the finished floor, and where it is higher than 6 mm, beveled to a slope no steeper than 1 in 2 (50%),
- f) have 2 grab bars:
  - i) that conform to Sentence 3.7.2.7.(1),
  - ii) one of which is not less than 1000 mm long and located vertically on the side wall 50 mm to 80 mm from the adjacent clear floor space, with its lower end 600 mm to 650 mm above the floor, and,
  - iii) one of which is L-shaped and located on the wall opposite the entrance to the shower, with a horizontal member not less than 1000 mm long mounted 750 mm to 870 mm above the floor and a vertical member not less than 750 mm long mounted 400 mm to 500 mm from the side wall on which the other vertical grab bar is mounted (see Note A-3.8.3.17.(1)(f)),
- g) have a hinged seat that is not spring-loaded or a fixed seat with a smooth, slip-resistant surface and no rough edges, the seat being:
  - i) not less than 450 mm wide and 400 mm deep,
  - ii) mounted on the same side wall as the vertical grab bar, at 460 mm to 480 mm above the floor, and
  - iii) designed to carry a minimum load of 1.3 kN,
- h) have a pressure-equalizing or thermostatic-mixing valve and other controls that:
  - i) comply with Clause 3.8.3.8.(1)(b),
  - ii) are mounted on the wall opposite the entrance to the shower at not more than 1200 mm above the floor and within reach of the seat,
- i) have a hand-held shower head with not less than 1800 mm of flexible hose located so that it:
  - i) can be reached from a seated position,
  - ii) can be used in a fixed position at a height of 1200 mm and 2030 mm, and
  - iii) does not obstruct the use of the grab bars,
- j) have recessed soap holders that can be reached from the seated position.
A universal dressing and shower room required by Sentence 3.8.2.8.(13) shall:
- a) be located in a barrier-free path of travel,
- b) have a door capable of being locked from the inside and released from the outside in the event of an emergency,
- c) have a lavatory and a mirror conforming to Article 3.8.3.16.,
- d) have a shower conforming to Sentence (1),
- e) have a bench that is at least 1830 mm long by 760 mm wide and 480 mm to 520 mm high,
- f) have a clear transfer space adjacent to the long side of the bench that is 900 mm wide and as long as the bench (see Note A-3.8.3.17.(2)(f)),
- g) have a coat hook conforming to Clause 3.8.3.12.(1)(h).

3.8.3.18. Accessible Bathtubs

A bathtub required by Sentence 3.8.2.8.(14) shall:
- a) be located in a room with a clear floor space not less than 1700 mm in diameter,
- b) be not less than 1500 mm long,
- c) have a clear floor space not less than 900 mm wide adjacent to its entire length,
- d) be capable of being accessed along its full length with no tracks mounted on its rim,
- e) have faucets and other controls that:
  - i) conform to Clause 3.8.3.8.(1)(b), and
  - ii) are located on the centre line or between the centre line of the bathtub and the exterior edge of the bathtub rim, at a maximum height of 450 mm above the rim,
- f) have three grab bars:
  - i) that conform to Sentence 3.7.2.7.(1),
  - ii) that are not less than 1200 mm long,
  - iii) two of which are located vertically at each end of the bathtub, set 80 mm to 120 mm in from the outside edge of the bathtub, with their lower end 180 mm to 280 mm above the bathtub rim, and
  - iv) one of which is located horizontally along the length of the bathtub at 180 mm to 280 mm above the bathtub rim,
- g) have a slip-resistant bottom surface, and
- h) be equipped with a hand-held shower head with not less than 1800 mm of flexible hose that can be used in a fixed position at a height of 1200 mm and 2030 mm.

National Standard of Canada CSA/ASC B651:23

Accessible Design for Built Environments
© 2023 Canadian Standards Association

The Standard does not specify the extent to which these requirements have to be applied, as this is the responsibility of the authorities having jurisdiction, whether federal, provincial/territorial, or municipal. The 2015 and 2020 editions of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) have referenced certain Clauses of CSA B651 as providing an alternative to the accessible design requirements in the NBC.

6.5 Bathing Facilities

6.5.1 Water Temperature
The temperature of the water supplied to the shower or bathtub shall not exceed 49 °C.
Note: This temperature is a maximum. Lower maximum water supply temperatures could be needed in some applications (e.g., long-term care homes).

6.5.2 Showerheads
A showerhead shall:

be of the handheld type;
be provided with a hose at least 1800 mm long;
allow use in a fixed position;
be mounted vertically to be adjustable between 1200 and 2030 mm from the floor;
not obstruct the use of the grab bars; and
be protected with a valve in compliance with ASSE 1016/ASME A112.1016/CSA B125.16.

6.5.3 Enclosures
Doors or curtains for shower stalls shall not obstruct the controls or the transfer space.
Note: Shower doors, such as those affixed with a floor track or those that might limit the clear opening, should be avoided since they can create obstacles to entering the shower.

6.5.4 Shower Floors
The shower floor shall:

be slip-resistant even when wet; and
slope minimally to provide positive drainage.

Note: The drain should be located off to one side or, where a seat is provided, below the seat. See Annex B for guidance on potential for slip of floor finishes.

6.5.5 Roll-in Shower Stalls

6.5.5.1 Shower Area
Roll-in shower stalls shall have an interior clear area of at least 900 by 1500 mm.
Note: This size of a roll-in shower stall should accommodate the use of a wheeled shower chair.

6.5.5.2 Access Area
A clear floor area in front of the shower entrance shall be at least 900 by 1500 mm, with the 1500 mm dimension parallel to the shower entrance (see Figure 51).

6.5.5.3 Grab Bars
In a roll-in shower (see Figure 51), four grab bars that comply with Clause 6.2.5 shall be mounted as follows:

one horizontally on a side wall at least 600 mm in length, and between 750 and 850 mm from the floor;
one vertically on the opposite side wall at least 1000 mm in length, with the lower end between 600 and 650 mm from the floor, and between 50 and 80 mm from the adjacent clear floor area;
one horizontally on the back wall at least 1000 mm in length, and between 750 and 850 mm from the floor; and
one vertically on the back wall at least 750 mm in length, with the lower edge between 50 and 60 mm above the horizontal grab bar in Item c), and located between 400 and 500 mm from the side wall on which the other vertical grab bar is mounted.

Notes:

To expand the usability of this shower stall, a folding seat should be added on the side wall with the vertical grab bar.
The grab bars should be luminance (colour) contrasted with the background.

6.5.5.4 Controls
Faucets and controls for roll-in shower stalls shall:

comply with Clause 6.2.3.3;
be mounted in the centre on the back wall above the grab bar; and
be located at a maximum height of 1200 mm from the floor.

6.5.5.5 Thresholds
A threshold at the entrance to a roll-in shower shall:

not exceed 13 mm in height; and
if between 7 and 13 mm in height, be bevelled at a slope not steeper than the ratio of 1:2 (50%).

6.5.5.6 Seat
If a seat is provided in a roll-in shower stall, it shall:

be on the side wall with the vertical grab bar;
be at least 400 mm wide extending the full depth of the stall, less a space allowed for the shower curtain;
have its seating surface between 430 and 485 mm from the floor; and
have a smooth, non-slip surface without rough edges.

Notes:
3) The seat should be luminance (colour) contrasted with the wall and floor.

Figure 1 – CSA/ASC B651 Accessible Shower
This figure shows the dimensions of a clear floor area in front of a roll-in shower stall with grab bars depicted. The graphic shows a minimum 900 by 1500 mm clear area that leads into a shower area that measures the same. There is one minimum 1000 mm long vertical grab bar and (optional) folding seat placed on the left wall. There is a minimum 750 mm grab bar mounted vertically on the rear wall beside the showerhead, and a minimum 1000 mm long grab bar mounted horizontally on the same wall. The showerhead valves are positioned at a maximum of 1200 mm above the floor. A fourth horizontal grab bar is mounted on the right wall and is a minimum of 600 mm in length.
Note: All dimensions are in mm.

6.5.6 Bathtubs

6.5.6.1 Access Area
A clear floor area at least 900 mm wide shall be provided in front of the bathtub, along its whole length (see Figure 52).
Note: For transfer into the bathtub, there should be a seat located at the end of the bathtub that runs the width of the bathtub, is 400 mm deep, and is flush with the edges.

6.5.6.2 Grab Bars

6.5.6.2.1 Mounting
Three grab bars that comply with Clause 6.2.5 shall be mounted as follows:

one horizontally, centred on and along the length of the bathtub, that is between 180 and 280 mm above the bathtub rim;
- at least 1200 mm in length; and
- have a space of 35 to 45 mm between the grab bar and the wall; and
two vertically, positioned at each end of the bathtub adjacent to the clear floor area and the lower end of both bars between 180 and 280 mm above the bathtub rim;
- both bars at least 1200 mm in length; and
- both bars between 80 and 120 mm from the adjacent clear floor area (see Figure 52).

6.5.6.2.2 Luminance (colour) Contrast
The grab bars should be 30% luminance (colour) contrasted with the background.
Notes:

The vertical grab bar should not interfere with the shower curtain.
Grab bars in prefabricated units may be used if they comply with Clause 6.2.5.

6.5.6.3 Controls
Faucets and other controls shall:

comply with Clause 6.2.3.3;
be located at the foot end of the bathtub between the centreline of the bathtub and the clear floor area; and
be not more than 450 mm above the bathtub rim.

Note: Controls located close to the open side can be reached more easily.

6.5.6.4 Enclosures
Enclosures employing sliding doors or tracks on the rim shall not be provided on bathtubs.

6.5.6.5 Bathtub Floor
Bathtubs shall have a slip-resistant base.

This figure shows the dimensions of a clear floor area in front of a bathtub with grab bars depicted. The clear floor area is 900 mm deep and situated between the lavatory and the bathtub. There is one minimum 1200 mm long vertical grab bar mounted on the left side of the showerhead. The second minimum 1200 mm long horizontal grab bar is mounted on the adjacent wall 180 to 280 mm above the bathtub and 50 to 60 mm from any wall cavities.

Note: All dimensions are in mm.

National Building Code

National Standard of Canada

Building Codes By Province/Territory