Grab bar

Many jurisdictions have regulations on grab bar placement and floorplans for public bathrooms (American ADA, British Doc M regs).

• Grab bars next to a toilet help people using a wheelchair transfer to the toilet seat and back to the wheelchair. They also assist people who have difficulty sitting down, have balance problems while seated or need help rising from a seated position.
• Used in a shower or bathtub, grab bars help to maintain balance while standing or maneuvering, assist in transferring into and out of the enclosure, and generally help to mitigate slips and falls.
• Floor to ceiling grab bars, or security poles, can be used in the bedroom to help one get out of bed or get up from a chair, or to help caregivers by assisting in transfers.

Grab bars are often used in conjunction with other medical devices to increase safety. For example, a grab bar added to a shower is frequently used with a shower chair and hand held shower head. Grab bars installed by a doorway are usually added near a railing. In addition, grab bars can be placed on any wall where extra support is needed even if it is not the "usual place" they are used.

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  Grab Bars reduce falls
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  Grab Bars come in different styles and colors

Grab bars can be installed in different positions:

• Vertical grab bars may help with balance while standing.
• Horizontal grab bars provide assistance when sitting or rising, or to grab onto in case of a slip or fall.
• Some grab bars can be installed at an angle, depending on the needs of the user and the positioning. Grab bars installed horizontally offer up the greatest safety and care should be taken when installing them on the angle, as this is contrary to the ADA Guidelines. Often this angled installation is easier for people pulling themselves up from a seated position.

There are many considerations when deciding which grab bar to use and how best to install it. Properly securing a grab bar is important so that it doesn't pull out of the wall when pressure is applied to it. Each installation should be properly secured into wall blocking or studs to provide the best support. If no studs are available, specialized mollies can be used to spread out grab forces across a wider area of the wall.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG) defines requirements for installing grab bars in public bathing and toileting facilities.[1] The guidelines are supported by substantial research regarding the best placement of grab bars.[2]

The following is a subset of ADA grab bar guidelines:

• The diameter of grab bars should be 1+1⁄4 to 1+1⁄2 inches (32 to 38 mm) (or the shape shall provide an equivalent gripping surface)
• There shall be a 1+1⁄2 inches (38 mm) clearance from the wall.
• Grab bars should not rotate in their fittings.
• The required mounting height is universally 33 to 36 inches (840 to 910 mm) from top of gripping surface of the grab bar to the finish floor. DOJ 2010 ADA standards 609.4.
• ADA-style grab bars and their mounting devices should withstand more than 250 pounds (1112 N) of force.
• In public toilet stalls, side grab bars must be a minimum of 42 inches long and mounted 12 inches from the rear wall, and rear grab bars must be a minimum of 36 inches long and mounted a maximum of 6 inches from the side wall.

While the ADA guidelines provide specifics on the placement of grab bars in public locations, they do not require a specific style. The British Doc M regulations specify a minimum contrast between bars and background. Many public facilities opt for the cheapest grab bars, which usually have an institutional look. However, grab bars are actually available in many styles, finishes and colors. Manufacturers have begun to understand the need to blend in with home decor, offering grab bars that have style and pizazz. For the home, grab bars do not need to be ADA compliant, but those guidelines should be considered. In addition to straight grab bars, there are fold-out bars, those that clamp onto the side of the bathtub, L-shaped, U-shaped and corner grab bars. Grab bars are also made with built in LED lighting and can come in many different colours.