a practical guide to - california's title 24 2019

KNOW THE CODES

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO

CALIFORNIA’S

TITLE 24 2019

Designing Code

Compliant Bathrooms

KNOW THE CODES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA’S TITLE 24 FOR BATHROOMS

According to California state law, failure to comply with all of

California’s standards can lead to criminal charges, massive ﬁnes and

possibly a contentious ﬁght in civil court. For designers and builders,

simply following the model codes isn’t enough.

It’s hard to know where to start.

In this guide, we’ll outline the key amendments California has

made to the IBC, focusing speciﬁcally on the specialized codes in

Section 1134A.

You’ll get the information you need to design safe, beautiful,

code-compliant showers and baths in California. The material included

here can be vital for designing code compliant bathrooms in senior

care facilities, university housing, hospitals and multifamily homes.

DISCLAIMER

Use this guide as a supplement and tool to better understand Title 24.

This guide should not be viewed or used as building code.

•

Proper shower dimensions

•

Thresholds

•

Clear ﬂoor space

•

Grab bar installation

•

Controls and bathroom ﬁxtures

WHAT THIS GUIDE WILL COVER:

While most of California’s building

codes follow the standards set in the IBC,

there are some major differences.

KNOW THE CODES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA’S TITLE 24 FOR BATHROOMS

42" wide by 48" deep transfer shower with at

least a 36" opening.

60" wide by 36" deep with at least a

36" opening, only if there’s a wall installed

on opening side.

60" wide by 30" deep roll-in shower with a

60" opening. In this case, there needs to be 36"

between the water closet and the shower wall.

SHOWERS

Proper Dimensions

When one or more shower stalls are provided within the same dwelling units,

at least one shower needs to comply with ANSI B and one of these options:

In front of the shower, there needs to be 30" wide

by 48" deep of clear ﬂoor space accessible entry.

This needs to be ﬂush and parallel with the control wall.

MANEUVERABLE SPACE

KNOW THE CODES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA’S TITLE 24 FOR BATHROOMS

SHOWERS

SLOPE

The slope needs to be ½" per foot in any direction and

should slope to the drain. (1134 A.6)

FLOOR SURFACE

The ﬂoor surface needs to be slip-resistant, either made

of Carborundum, grit-faced tile or some other slip-resistant

surface. (1134 A.6)

THRESHOLDS

Shower thresholds can’t be any taller than 2" and need

to have a beveled edge that’s no steeper than a 1:2 ratio.

If a threshold is shorter than a ½" tall, a steeper beveled

edge with up to a 1:1 ratio is also acceptable. (1134 A.6)

FAUCETS & CONTROLS

These need to be operable with one hand, using no more

than 5 pounds of pressure. They can’t require tight

grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist to use. (1134 A.6)

Lever operated, push and electronic controls are considered

accessible options. (1134 A.6)

Thresholds & Floors

Controls

KNOW THE CODES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA’S TITLE 24 FOR BATHROOMS

SHOWERS

Grab Bars

REINFORCEMENT for grab bars needs to be installed continuously along the shower walls, between

32" and 38" above the shower ﬂoor. The reinforcement needs to be at least 6" nominal in height. (1134 A.6)

FOR SHOWERS WITH GLASS WALLS, there needs to be reinforcement for installing ﬂoor-mounted

or ceiling-mounted grab bars instead. (1134 A.6)

REINFORCEMENT

KNOW THE CODES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA’S TITLE 24 FOR BATHROOMS

BATHTUBS

REMOVABLE SEAT IN TUB

PERMANENT SEAT IN TUB

Floor Space

There should be a CLEAR FLOOR SPACE of 48" parallel by 30" perpendicular to the side of

a bathtub or bathtub/shower combination. This will provide the space needed for an individual to

safely transfer from a wheelchair into the tub.

THE EDGE of this ﬂoor space needs to be ﬂush with the wall.

THE AREA UNDER A LAVATORY at the control end of the tub may be included in the clear

ﬂoor space, as long as the lavatory is at least 19" deep.

KNOW THE CODES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA’S TITLE 24 FOR BATHROOMS

BATHTUBS

Grab Bars

On each end of the bathtub, there needs to be grab bar reinforcement installed between 32 and

38" above the ﬂoor and at least 24" away from the front edge of the bathtub. The reinforcement

needs to be at least 6" nominal in height. (1134 A.5)

On the back wall of the bathtub, there needs to be grab bar reinforcement installed 6 inches

above the rim, extending upward at least 38" above the ﬂoor. Grab bar backing should be

installed horizontally to allow for the installation of a 48" grab bar with each end only 6" or less

away from the end walls of the tub. (1134 A.5)

For bathtubs without surrounding walls, there needs to be reinforced areas that can allow for the

installation of ﬂoor-mounted grab bars. (1134 A.5)

REMOVABLE SEAT IN TUB

PERMANENT SEAT IN TUB

ADAPTABLE BATHTUBS

CONTROLLED END

(FOOT WALL)

BACK WALL HEAD END WALL

CONTROLLED END

(FOOT WALL)

BACK WALL HEAD END WALL

CONTROLLED END

(FOOT WALL)

BACK WALL HEAD END WALL

KNOW THE CODES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA’S TITLE 24 FOR BATHROOMS

SHOWER PAN

TRANSFER ROLL-IN

TUB SHOWER COMBO

COMPLIANT PRODUCTS

Bestbath offers a wide range of showers, baths, and pans that

meet or exceed California Code requirements — many ready to ship within 24 hours.

See all of Bestbath’s California compliant options at bestbath.com/products/showers/code-compliant/

Toll Free 800.727.9907

Fax 208.333.8657

723 Garber Street

Caldwell, ID 83605

www.bestbath.com

Reorder # FORM2052 08/20

BESTBATH PRODUCTS ARE MADE IN THE USA

and come with a 30-year limited warranty so you can

relax knowing you’re covered now and in the future.

NEED SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT?

Check out some of our code compliant products:

•

Code Compliant Showers: Available in a whole range of dimensions. Optional shower reveal feature for maximized

clear ﬂoor space.

•

Shower Pans: Offered with beveled edges.

•

Tub Shower Combinations: Made from high-quality composites that can last a lifetime.

•

Grab Bars: Grab bars made from stainless steel and in a range of dimensions.

•

Shower Seats: High-quality commercial-grade seats.

•

WaterStopper: A one-step water containment solution for barrier free showers.

About Bestbath

Bestbath designs and manufactures bathing solutions

for people of all abilities. Over the 50 years we’ve been

in business, we’ve worked with multifamily professionals

all across the country to create safer, beautiful bathrooms.

We know that multifamily homes demand timeless,

high-end designs that can adapt to the needs of any

tenant and meet even the most stringent code regulations.

That’s why we build nearly all of our products to

be compliant with regulations in the ADA, IBC and

California’s Title 24. We offer a variety of barrier free,

roll-in showers with beveled edges and code-

compliant dimensions. All of our shower and bathtub

enclosures are built with full wood backing for easy

installation of grab bars and shower seats. To prevent

dangerous slips and falls, we apply an anti-slip gelcoat

to the ﬂoors to each of our showers and tubs.

With a 30-YEAR WARRANTY, our products can be

installed in a day and loved for a lifetime.