Bath tub / corner bathtub - dimensions and standard sizes according to DIN

• Shapes and sizes of bathtubs
  • DIN 18022 and DIN 232
• special pans
• Tips for quick readers

The bathtub formerly belonged to the standard equipment of an apartment. With the need for affordable housing and the increasing "quilting" the tub was increasingly replaced by showers. Today, it is expected even in medium-sized apartments again. For your planning also some standard dimensions are to be considered. Find out everything you need to know about how to plan your bathtub in this post.

Already popular in ancient times

The bathtub is one of the oldest cultural assets in sanitary engineering. Thousands of years ago, the Greeks already made bronze bathtubs that did more than just personal hygiene. A tub was at that time a luxury item, which was used for relaxation and special deep care of body and soul. The Romans have developed a veritable bathing culture. With the invention of the enamelled sheet steel tray in 1906, the mass production of this ubiquitous sanitary object became mass suitable. Since then, she has become an integral part of many apartments.

Significant increase in housing value

A bathtub in the apartment is a significant increase in living comfort. For purely personal hygiene, it is indeed oversized, because it was still much more compact showers. However, a bathtub is the most efficient means of deep relaxation and pervasive warming of the body. What could be better than relaxing in the bathtub after a cold winter walk, a cold or just after a busy day in the bathtub? "> Forms and sizes of bathtubs

A bathtub has an area requirement of approximately two square meters. In a multi-room apartment or a family house, the tub can be pretty well planned, since the bathrooms are larger from the beginning. For a small apartment, however, the two square meters of the tub already make up a large part of the total living space. That's why the industry offers a whole range of solutions that can be used to tailor the size of the bathtub to the particular living situation.

DIN 18022 and DIN 232

As standard, which regulates the size of a bathtub, DIN 18022 can be used. In addition, the "connection dimensions" are specified in DIN 232. However, this regulates the position of the connection fittings, such as inlet and outlet. For the size of the bathtubs, recommendations have developed in the industry that are close to standardization. The basic equipment requirements for sanitary facilities per apartment size can be found in the VDI 6000 sheet 1.
It can be distinguished between four basic sizes

• standard tubs
• Small room sinks
• Corner baths
• More people tubs

The standard tub is the most commonly used tub type. They are according to standard size between 170 and 180 cm long and about 75-80 cm wide. DIN 18022 prescribes a minimum dimension of 175 x 75 cm for the installation of a standard bath. Only if the bath meets this minimum, the bath can be called "equipped with a standard tub". If this is not possible due to space constraints, a bath up to 140 cm can still be considered a "bath tub". In trade, these short tubs but partly already counted among the "small room sinks".

Small room pans are the shortest form of bathtubs. They have a length of 130 - 114 centimeters. As their name suggests, a classic, lying bath in a small room tub is not possible. For this they can produce a sufficient bathing experience even with tightly dimensioned bathrooms.

A corner bath is particularly space efficient. They do not protrude longitudinally or transversely into a room, but use the hypotenuse of a corner angle from the bathroom. This is not only very space saving. Due to the free space in the corner, the corner bath can be offered in a particularly large selection. Trapezoidal tubs, tubs with seating surfaces, compact corner bathtubs or tubs with a particularly large storage area are common. Trap-tubs are unilaterally stretched standard tubs. The side of the backrest is extended in these tubs, resulting in the trapezoidal geometry. They are particularly suitable as a space-efficient solution for the need for a multi-person tub. A corner bath, whose corner angle is designed as a seat, can also be very practical. Especially for skin care after bathing, they are an ideal place to sit. The compact corner bath is ideal for small bathrooms. It can also be easily upgraded to a shower.

Multi-person pans are tubs that can accommodate more than two people. Colloquially, they are referred to as "whirlpools" or as "Jacuzzis". They usually have numerous additional functions as the normal tubs according to DIN dimensions. These include high-pressure nozzles, nozzles for air injection, active heaters, and possibly even filters for water purification. Whirlpools or Jacuzzis are less used for hygiene. They are primarily intended for a longer stay for enjoyable bathing experience. With a conscientious approach, they can therefore be used several times without replacing the water. This lowers the operating costs for these large tubs. Jacuzzis are not regulated by building law in terms of size and shape. However, you must comply with the general installation guidelines VDI 6000 sheet 1 for sanitary objects. If they have an integrated filter system, they must be able to comply with the water quality in accordance with VDI / DVGW 6023. In addition, a spa must be statically calculated so that the permissible area load for the building ceiling is not exceeded.

For each tub standardized dimensions apply to the entry: The tub must be at least 75 centimeters from a wall or from another sanitary object (toilet, shower or sink) and have on this side a minimum width of 90 centimeters. Only by adhering to these dimensions is a safe, standard entry into the tub possible.

special pans

... for special demands

The increasing average age of the population also necessitates adjustments in the design of sanitary objects. Sanitary technology today offers barrier-free baths with the aim of providing as much autonomy as possible to physically impaired persons. The standard size of the sanitary objects and the distances to each other is specified in DIN 18040 1 and 2. The dimensions described there, however, mainly refer to the open spaces that apply in a bathroom that may be called "barrier-free". A standard size for a barrier-free standard or corner bath is not regulated therein.

For the corner bath tub, the short tub or the standard tub, however, the industry offers temporary solutions that can already be used to meet the needs of elderly or slightly handicapped persons: A seat already integrated in the tub makes it much easier for people with disabilities to use the tub. For this, however, the tub should be provided with a separation. The industry offers simple shower curtains, folding or sliding partitions for this purpose. This prevents wetting of the floor from the bathroom and significantly increases the safety of using the bathroom. This is not only very beneficial for disabled people.

The highest characteristic of the tubs for persons with disabilities is the so-called "seat pan". Although this tub is quite short at about one meter and is one of the small size pans according to standard size. They are, however, built particularly high. The edge of the tub can be at a height of up to 95 centimeters. Accessibility is provided by the fact that the seat pan has two special features: it has an integrated seat and it has a door. The door extends to the ground and closes the tub in use watertight. The door opens inwards at these retirement or care pits. This prevents unwanted opening with subsequent flooding of the bathroom.

In addition to the seat troughs, the specialist retailer also offers troughs in standard size with door. However, these solutions are all quite expensive. Costs a standard DIN tub in standard size from about 200 euros, must be expected for a barrier-free tub with door with ten times, even if it has shorter dimensions.

Standards are recommendations

The dimensions with respect to the standard size of a bathtub according to DIN 18022 are deliberately quite broad. They allow manufacturers a wide range of designs, geometries, technical features, etc. This allows for a tremendous diversity, from which customers can assemble the right bathroom. Creativity knows no limits. The selection includes today: Square, round, oval, irregular baths in wall installation or free-standing, standard baths of enamelled sheet steel, freestanding ceramic bathtubs, even a corner bath tub made of wood is technically and legally feasible today.

Tips for quick readers

• Buy Seniorenwannen used
• Always oversize tubs
• Insulate baths at the bottom, which keeps the heat longer
• Expand bathtubs with shower function
• Always pay attention to dry floors in the bathroom