Showers and Bathtubs

(1)  Except within a suite of residential occupancy, if showers are provided in a building, the number of barrier-free showers shall conform to Table 3.8.3.13.

Table 3.8.3.13.
Minimum Number of Barrier-Free Showers

Forming Part of Sentence 3.8.3.13.(1)

(2)  A barrier-free shower required by Sentence (1) shall,

    (b)   have a clear floor space at the entrance to the shower 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,

    (c)   have no doors that obstruct the shower controls or the clear floor space described in Clause (b),

    (d)   have a slip-resistant floor surface,

    (e)   have a threshold that is level with the adjacent finished floor or a bevelled threshold not more than 13 mm higher than the adjacent finished floor,

    (f)   have a hinged seat, other than a spring-loaded hinged seat, or a fixed seat that shall,

             (i)   be not less than 450 mm wide and 400 mm deep,

            (ii)   be mounted on the same side wall as the vertical grab bar between 460 mm and 480 mm above the finished floor,

           (iii)   be designed to carry a minimum load of 1.3 kN,

           (iv)   be located so that the edge of the seat is within 500 mm of the shower controls, and

            (v)   have a smooth and slip-resistant surface and no rough edges,

    (g)   have two grab bars,

             (i)   that conform to Sentence 3.8.3.8.(7) and do not obstruct the use of the shower controls,

            (ii)   one of which is 1 000 mm long vertically located on the side wall between 50 mm and 80 mm from the adjacent clear floor area, and with the lower end between 600 mm and 650 mm above the finished floor, and

           (iii)   one of which is L-shaped, located on the wall opposite the entrance to the shower, with a 1 000 mm long horizontal component mounted between 750 mm and 870 mm above the finished floor and a 750 mm long vertical component mounted between 400 mm and 500 mm from the side wall on which the vertical grab bar described in Subclause (ii) is mounted,

    (h)   have a pressure-equalizing or thermostatic mixing valve that,

             (i)   is operable using a closed fist and with a force of not more than 22.2 N,

            (ii)   is mounted on the wall opposite the entrance to the shower no more than 1 200 mm above the finished floor, and

           (iii)   is located within reach of the seat,

     (i)   have a hand-held shower head with not less than 1 800 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 1 200 mm and 2 030 mm from the finished floor, and

           (iii)   does not obstruct the use of the grab bars, and

     (j)   have fully recessed soap holders that can be reached from the seated position.

    (2.1)  All other controls installed in a shower described in Sentence (2) shall comply with Subclauses (2)(h)(i) to (iii).

    (3)  Individual showers that are provided for use by patients or residents in buildings of Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy shall conform to Sentence (2).

    (4)  Individual bathtubs that are provided for the use of patients or residents in buildings of Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy shall,

    (a)   be located in a room with a clear floor space not less than 1 500 mm in diameter,

    (b)   be not less than 1 500 mm long,

    (c)   be capable of being accessed along the full length of the bathtub with no tracks mounted on the bathtub rim,

    (d)   have faucets that,

             (i)   are operable using a closed fist and with a force of not more than 22.2 N, and

            (ii)   are located on the centre line of the bathtub 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,

    (e)   unless the bathtub is free-standing, have three grab bars,

             (i)   conforming to Sentence 3.8.3.8.(7),

            (ii)   that are not less than 1 200 mm long,

           (iii)   two of which are located vertically at each end of the bathtub, mounted between 80 mm and 280 mm above the bathtub rim, and

           (iv)   one of which is located horizontally along the full length of the bathtub, mounted between 80 mm and 280 mm above the bathtub rim,

    (f)   have a slip-resistant bottom surface, and

    (g)   be equipped with a hand-held shower head with not less than 1 800 mm of flexible hose that can be used in a fixed position at a height of 1 200 mm and 2 030 mm and does not obstruct the use of the grab bars.

    (5)  Where a barrier-free bathtub is provided, a clear floor space at least 900 mm wide and 1 500 mm long shall be provided along the full length of the bathtub.

Article 3.8.3.13 Ontario Regulation 332/12 Building Code,   Information published by oncodes.ca for educational purposes only.