ASTM F446-19(2023)

Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Grab Bars and Accessories Installed in the Bathing Area

SCOPE
1.1 This consumer safety specification covers performance requirements, test methods, and levels of performance to ensure satisfactory functioning of the grab bars and accessory items (not including plumbing controls) during reasonable use to assist a person entering, leaving, or moving within the bathing area.  
1.2 This consumer safety specification is intended to reduce the number of accidents by specifying requirements for grab bars and accessories designed to decrease the probability of slips and falls.  
1.3 This consumer safety specification does not address the specific need of gang showers, island tubs, peninsula tubs, sunken tubs, or tubs 6 ft (1.8 m) or longer.  
1.4 This consumer safety specification exempts shower stalls with both interior dimensions of 34 in. (864 mm) or less.  
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 7, of this specification.  This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2023
• ICS: 91.140.70 - Sanitary installations
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.03 - Safety Standards for Bathtub and Shower Structures

Overview

ASTM F446-19(2023), Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Grab Bars and Accessories Installed in the Bathing Area, is a widely recognized safety standard developed by ASTM International. Its main objective is to establish performance requirements and test methods ensuring the reliable functioning of grab bars and accessory items (excluding plumbing controls) in bathrooms. Designed to improve consumer protection, this standard directly addresses slip and fall hazards-particularly during entry, exit, and movement within bathing areas such as tubs and showers.

The requirements of ASTM F446-19(2023) are intended to reduce accidents by specifying installation, construction, and load-bearing guidelines for grab bars and relevant accessories, thereby enhancing bathroom safety for all users.

Key Topics

• Performance Requirements: Specifies required strength, endurance, and construction features for grab bars and permanently affixed accessories in bathing areas to ensure adequate support during typical use.
• Test Methods: Outlines procedures to verify that grab bars and projecting accessories meet static load requirements (minimum 250 lbf/1.1 kN) without failure, as well as conditions for safe installation.
• Installation Guidelines: Defines critical support areas and preferred placement for horizontal and vertical grab bars in both recessed tubs and shower stalls. It details where and how these products should be installed for maximum safety benefit.
• General Product Requirements:
  • All grab bars and accessories must be free from burrs, sharp edges, or pinch points.
  • Products must resist deterioration in typical bathroom environments.
  • Accessories and bars that project more than 1 inch in the hazard area must meet specified loading criteria.
• Instructions and Warnings: Requires manufacturers to provide installation instructions and warnings about improper installation, helping ensure correct and safe application in homes and commercial buildings.

Applications

ASTM F446-19(2023) applies to a broad range of bathing area safety solutions, including:

• Home bathrooms: For new construction or remodeling, ensuring safer access for elderly individuals, people with limited mobility, or anyone who may benefit from additional support.
• Hospitality and healthcare facilities: Mandates reliable grab bar installations in guest and patient bathrooms, improving accessibility and reducing liability.
• Public and commercial restrooms: Guides installation and maintenance practices in multi-user environments where user safety is crucial.
• Accessible design and aging-in-place renovations: Supports compliance with safety standards and best practices in universal design.
• Product development and quality assurance: For manufacturers of grab bars, towel bars, soap holders, and other accessories, ensuring products meet minimum safety requirements before market release.

The standard excludes gang showers, island tubs, peninsula tubs, sunken tubs, tubs longer than 6 ft (1.8 m), and very small shower stalls (≤34 in./864 mm interior dimensions).

Related Standards

For comprehensive safety and performance in wet environments, ASTM F446-19(2023) should be considered alongside related standards, such as:

• ASTM F462: Slip resistance of bathing surfaces.
• ANSI A117.1: Accessible and usable buildings and facilities.
• ASTM F2509: Standard Specification for Shower Seats for the Elderly and Disabled.
• National and local building codes: May reference ASTM F446 or require comparable grab bar performance in residential and commercial construction.

Practical Value

Adherence to ASTM F446-19(2023) ensures that grab bars and accessories in bathing areas meet rigorous, well-established safety benchmarks. Builders, remodelers, equipment manufacturers, and facility managers all benefit from reduced accident risk, regulatory compliance, and greater peace of mind for consumers by specifying or installing products compliant with this essential bathroom safety standard.

For more details, refer to the full standard published by ASTM International.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F446 − 19 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
Grab Bars and Accessories Installed in the Bathing Area
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F446; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
This consumer safety specification addresses certain bathing area accidents that were identified by
the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), specifically those which might have been
prevented by the presence of adequate grab bars. This specification also addresses the safe
performance required of accessory items installed in the bathing area.
Available data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) were studied by
Abt Associates, Inc., with assistance from Researchitects Inc., and reported to the CPSC. This
information was made available to ASTM Task Group F15.03. It was reviewed along with other
information appropriate to the subject and became the basis for developing this specification.
The information reviewed indicated that slips and falls frequently occur while entering or leaving
the tub, while changing between a sitting or standing position, or while moving around in the bathing
area. This specification establishes parameters as to strength, location, and general requirements of
grab bars and accessories to assist movement and reduce hazards in the bathing area.
1. Scope 1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
test method portion, Section 7, of this specification. This
1.1 This consumer safety specification covers performance
standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems,
requirements, test methods, and levels of performance to
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
ensure satisfactory functioning of the grab bars and accessory
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
items (not including plumbing controls) during reasonable use
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
to assist a person entering, leaving, or moving within the
regulatory limitations prior to use.
bathing area.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2 This consumer safety specification is intended to reduce
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
the number of accidents by specifying requirements for grab
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
bars and accessories designed to decrease the probability of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
slips and falls.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 This consumer safety specification does not address the
specific need of gang showers, island tubs, peninsula tubs,
2. Definitions
sunken tubs, or tubs 6 ft (1.8 m) or longer.
2.1 back wall—wall opposite the exit-entry side of a tub or
1.4 This consumer safety specification exempts shower
shower (see Figs. 1-4).
stalls with both interior dimensions of 34 in. (864 mm) or less.
2.2 bathing area—bathing space that consists of a tub,
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
tub-shower, or shower stall bounded by four walls, real or
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
imaginary, extending vertically to the ceiling from the outside
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
edge of the tub or stall (see Figs. 1-4).
and are not considered standard.
2.3 bathing area accessories—towel bars, towel rings, soap
holders, towel utility shelves, and other similar devices that are
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
intended to be permanently affixed to surfaces and used in the
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.03 on
Safety Standards for Bathtub and Shower Structures. bathing area.
Current edition approved July 1, 2023. Published July 2023. Originally approved
2.4 critical support area—that portion of the back, service,
in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F446 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/F0446-
19R23. or nonservice wall in which support would most likely be
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F446 − 19 (2023)
FIG. 1 Recessed Tub Bathing Area
FIG. 2 Recessed Tub-Shower Bathing Area
beneficial in four different bathing areas (see Figs. 1-4 for 2.8 potential hazard area—any surface within the bathing
specific requirements in this area). area, including bathtub or shower receptor from tub or shower
floor up to 66 in. (1.7 m), which could be contacted by the body
2.5 grab-bar—bar or similar device made for the purpose of
in a slip or fall situation.
assisting a person in movement within the bathing area and for
assistance in entering or exiting the bathing area. Sometimes 2.9 recessed tub—bathtub enclosed by and attached to two
referred to in the industry as hand holds. or three walls without shower facilities.
2.6 nonservice wall—any wall excluding the back wall 2.10 service back wall—wall opposite the exit-entry side of
within the bathing area that does not contain plumbing service. the tub or shower that serves as a back wall as well as the
location of controls.
2.7 plumbing controls—valves, spouts, and shower head or
fittings, or both, that allow the user to control the water flow 2.11 service wall—wall within the bathing area upon which
and temperature. the plumbing controls are located.
F446 − 19 (2023)
FIG. 3 Two-Wall Stall Shower Bathing Area
FIG. 4 Three-Wall Stall Shower Bathing Area
2.12 shower receptor—basin-like device in a shower that 4.2 Grab bars are to be installed in the critical support area
catches the water and directs it into the drain.
...