Elevation of a Bathroom

Origins

• The specifications for measurements, clearances and other factors in a bathroom elevation come from two general sources. The first are local and state building codes, which mandate standards that bathroom contractors must follow if they want their creations to be approved for use. These codes usually originate from the International Residential Code, which is managed by the International Code Council. The second are good building practices from the National Kitchen and Bath Association. These practices are not legal requirements, but come from analyzing typical user needs. They also incorporate building code specifications. Only some of the many elevation standards are explained here.

International Residential Code

• Shower compartments are an example of the bathroom elevation measurements imposed by the International Residential Code. They need a minimum dimension of 30 inches from one finished interior wall to the opposite one, if it has a minimum 900 square inches of interior cross-section area. Those with a minimum 1,300 square inches can use a minimum dimension of 25 inches from wall to wall. These dimensions must start at the top of the threshold and continue to a height of at least 70 inches above the shower drain outlet. The walls must form a watertight seal when joined with each other, tub, shower receptor or shower floor. These dimensions do not include fixtures such as showerheads, controls or rails.

National Kitchen and Bath Association

• The height of controls and showerheads in a shower or tub compartment form an example of guidelines from the National Kitchen and Bath Association. The organization recommends that shower controls be accessible from both inside and outside the shower, and spray at a height of 38 to 48 inches depending on user height. For 5-foot tall users, for example, controls should be 38 inches high, and the showerhead should be at 63 inches high. For 6-foot tall users, control height jumps to 47 inches and showerhead height reaches 75 inches. The height of tub controls is recommended at between the rim of the bathtub and 33 inches above the floor to enable sitting users to reach them.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• The ADA is yet another source of bathroom elevation information, but only in bathrooms designed for disabled persons. Such specifications are required of public, commercial or multi-family structures, but they are optional for one- and two-family residences. The National and Kitchen Bath Association incorporates ADA standards into its recommendations for disabled bathroom spaces. For example, the organization plans grab bars to ease access and maneuvering with tubs and showers. It recommends bars be at least 33 to 35 inches above the floor. The rails must measure from 1.25 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and clear the adjacent wall by 1.5 inches.