ASTM F446-85(1999)
(Specification)Consumer Safety Specification for Grab Bars and Accessories Installed in the Bathing Area
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 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: F 446 – 85 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
Grab Bars and Accessories Installed in the Bathing Area
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 446; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the 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 of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
1.1 This consumer safety specification covers performance
tions prior to use.
requirements, test methods, and levels of performance to
ensure satisfactory functioning of the grab bars and accessory
2. Definitions
items (not including plumbing controls) during reasonable use
2.1 back wall—the wall opposite the exit-entry side of a tub
to assist a person entering, leaving, or moving within the
or shower (see Figs. 1-4).
bathing area.
2.2 bathing area—the bathing space that consists of a tub,
1.2 This consumer safety specification is intended to reduce
tub-shower, or shower stall bounded by four walls, real or
the number of accidents by specifying requirements for grab
imaginary, extending vertically to the ceiling from the outside
bars and accessories designed to decrease the probability of
edge of the tub or stall (see Figs. 1-4).
slips and falls.
2.3 bathing area accessories—towel bars, towel rings, soap
1.3 This consumer safety specification does not address the
holders, towel utility shelves, and other similar devices that are
specific need of gang showers, island tubs, peninsula tubs,
intended to be permanently affixed to surfaces and used in the
sunken tubs, or tubs 6 ft (1.8 m) or longer.
bathing area.
1.4 This consumer safety specification exempts shower
2.4 critical support area—that portion of the back, service,
stalls with both interior dimensions of 34 in. (864 mm) or less.
or nonservice wall in which support would most likely be
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
beneficial in four different bathing areas (see Figs. 1-4 for
test method portion, Section 7, of this specification. This
specific requirements in this area).
standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems,
2.5 grab-bar—a bar or similar device made for the purpose
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of assisting a person in movement within the bathing area and
for assistance in entering or exiting the bathing area. Some-
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on times referred to in the industry as hand holds.
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.03 on
2.6 nonservice wall—any wall excluding the back wall
Safety Standards for Bathtub and Shower Structures.
within the bathing area that does not contain plumbing service.
Current edition approved Aug. 23, 1985. Published November 1985. Originally
published as F446-78. Last previous edition F446-78.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 446
FIG. 1 Recessed Tub Bathing Area
FIG. 2 Recessed Tub-Shower Bathing Area
2.7 plumbing controls—the valves, spouts, and shower head 2.10 service back wall—the wall opposite the exit-entry
or fittings, or both, that allow the user to control the water flow side of the tub or shower that serves as a back wall as well as
and temperature. the location of controls.
2.8 potential hazard area—any surface within the bathing 2.11 service wall—the wall within the bathing area upon
area, including bathtub or shower receptor from tub or shower which the plumbing controls are located.
floor up to 66 in. (1.7 m), which could be contacted by the body 2.12 shower receptor—a basin-like device in a shower that
in a slip or fall situation. catches the water and directs it into the drain.
2.9 recessed tub—a bathtub enclosed by and attached to two 2.13 shower stall—a two- or three-wall enclosure with a
or three walls without shower facilities. shower receptor and plumbing controls for shower bathing.
F 446
FIG. 3 Two-Wall Stall Shower Bathing Area
FIG. 4 Three-Wall Stall Shower Bathing Area
2.14 tub-shower—a recessed tub with a shower head. mm). Projecting soap dishes without rails or bars are exempt
2.15 tub or shower entrance area—the
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