ASTM F446-19
(Specification)Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Grab Bars and Accessories Installed in the Bathing Area
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
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: F446 − 19
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
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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 conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
1.1 This consumer safety specification covers performance
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
requirements, test methods, and levels of performance to
test method portion, Section 7, of this specification. This
ensure satisfactory functioning of the grab bars and accessory
standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems,
items (not including plumbing controls) during reasonable use
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
to assist a person entering, leaving, or moving within the
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
bathing area.
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
1.2 This consumer safety specification is intended to reduce
regulatory limitations prior to use.
the number of accidents by specifying requirements for grab
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
bars and accessories designed to decrease the probability of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
slips and falls.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.3 This consumer safety specification does not address the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
specific need of gang showers, island tubs, peninsula tubs,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
sunken tubs, or tubs 6 ft (1.8 m) or longer.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.4 This consumer safety specification exempts shower
2. Definitions
stalls with both interior dimensions of 34 in. (864 mm) or less.
2.1 back wall—wall opposite the exit-entry side of a tub or
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
shower (see Figs. 1-4).
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
2.2 bathing area—bathing space that consists of a tub,
tub-shower, or shower stall bounded by four walls, real or
imaginary, extending vertically to the ceiling from the outside
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
edge of the tub or stall (see Figs. 1-4).
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.03 on
Safety Standards for Bathtub and Shower Structures.
2.3 bathing area accessories—towel bars, towel rings, soap
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2019. Published February 2019. Originally
holders, towel utility shelves, and other similar devices that are
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as F446 – 85 (2009),
intended to be permanently affixed to surfaces and used in the
which was withdrawn in July 2018 and reinstated in January 2019. DOI: 10.1520/
F0446-19. bathing area.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F446 − 19
FIG. 1 Recessed Tub Bathing Area
FIG. 2 Recessed Tub-Shower Bathing Area
2.4 critical support area—that portion of the back, service, 2.7 plumbing controls—valves, spouts, and shower head or
or nonservice wall in w
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