EdOnline

DESCRIPTION: Bathrooms can be dangerous places for people with and without physical limitations. The prevalence of bathroom falls amongst persons of all age groups and levels of ability has driven the trend of accessible shower design. Presented here is an overview of how curbless shower pans are designed for durability and safety, and to meet the needs of accessible design. Included are discussions on traditional and modern shower pan design and installation methods and their associated drawbacks and benefits. Industry resources and standards are outlined. OBJECTIVES: At the end of this program, participants will be able to: 1) identify the need for accessible shower design to accommodate all users and ability levels and to protect against injury, 2) describe traditional methods of construction for curbless shower pans and the challenges presented to contractors in terms of structural changes, engineered flooring systems, and establishing proper slope, 3) describe innovative curbless shower pan products and how they are installed to guarantee a flush surface and watertight installation, eliminating tripping hazards and the potential for water-related damage, and 4) recall the industry standards (ADA, ASTM, ANSI, UPC) that should be met and the resources (TCNA, CTEF, ACT) available to ensure dependable installation and performance.