EverFab teamed up with Carlson Testing, Inc. to put the strength of our S3839A fiberglass transfer shower stall to the test. CTI recorded load bearing tests over the course of three days to assess compliance with ADA standard subsections 609.8 (Structural Strength of Grab Bars) and 610.4 (Structural Strength of Seat).
Testing was performed on both horizontally and vertically installed grab bars (A and B at right), in addition to the ADA compliant folding shower seat. We’re proud to report that our commercial sit down shower unit proved the EverFab durability promise and well exceeded the allowable stresses in all tests.
Both test standards listed above state that unit components should withstand a minimum of 250 pounds of vertical or horizontal force, when applied at any point on the grab bar, seat, fastener, mounting device, or supporting structure.
In addition to these minimums for factory and field installed grab bars, the vertical bar and the L-shaped bar (with 3 anchor points) would also be tested at 500 pounds, and the folding seat would be tested at 500, 750, and 1,000 pounds of force. These higher thresholds exceed ADA requirements, but our team was interested in testing the limits of our reinforced sit down shower components for a clear picture of their structural strength.
It can be difficult to predict the stresses that a commercial shower unit will face, since it will be used by many different people during the life of the building. This is one of the reasons that durability is a cornerstone value for EverFab. In the load tests by CTI, our proprietary multi-layer fiberglass-reinforced composite proved that it was up to the challenge. The grab bars passed all pull tests in both directions and at both weight thresholds (250 and 500 pounds) with room to spare.
At location B, the horizontal grab bar even withstood a harrowing load test that escalated to 1,505 pounds of force before failure—more than six times the limit set by ADA shower standards.
Our folding seat design also excelled in its stress tests, withstanding all four load thresholds and proving that it is capable of supporting more than four times the ADA required minimum of 250 pounds without failing.
The S3839A transfer shower is constructed from two separate layers of fiberglass reinforced composite, a polyester spray layer, and a final finish layer of unsaturated polyester gel coat. The heavily reinforced design is incredibly lightweight compared to the weaker and less reliable wood-reinforced designs that are so common in the market for commercial shower stalls. Our unique EverFab Core Material makes our sit down shower unit not only 50% lighter than plywood-backed units, but much stronger and free from wood’s vulnerability to warping and waving in the fixture walls.
Carlson Testing, Inc. focused their stress tests on the grab bars and seat, but our unique and revolutionary bottom plate design also far exceeds the resilience of all traditional commercial shower pans. We use a one-piece composite shower bottom support that’s pre-leveled, diamond-cut, and laminated directly to the base of the unit—a process unlike anything else in the industry—to ensure perfect balance and strength during transport, installation, and everyday use.
With EverFab, your shower will not only meet ADA requirements, but exceed your expectations. Our showers withstand enormous unexpected stresses while eliminating the risk of breaking, sagging, cracking, or rotting over time, as PVC and wood-based designs are prone to do.
Contact us today to learn more about The EverFab Advantage and consult with us on your next bathroom project!