Ada Light Switch Mounting Height

Light switches must be located so that a person in a wheelchair may reach it comfortably.

Ada light switch mounting height.

Controls and operating mechanisms like light switches are also limited in mounting height. The ada home page provides access to americans with disabilities act ada regulations for businesses and state and local governments technical assistance materials ada standards for accessible design links to federal agencies with ada responsibilities and information updates on new ada requirements streaming video information about department of justice ada settlement agreements. As shown in the pictures above there are varying mounting heights for switches depending on the application. The ada states that the requirements are to be applied during the design construction additions to and alteration of sites facilities buildings and elements to the extent required by regulations issued by federal agencies under the americans with disabilities act of 1990 ada one of the requirements is access to electrical outlets.

The ada requires that light switches be placed anywhere from 15 to 48 inches. What is the standard height for electrical wall switches. Switches outlets and controls in accessible locations for obstructions extending from 0 to 20 inches from the wall the maximum height for a control or outlet over the obstruction is 48 inches above the floor. A light switch mounted at 40 is much more accessible and provides optimal usability for all populations.

The height from the floor to the middle of the switch plate should not exceed 48 inches and the minimum height should not be less than 15 inches. If the counter has no knee space the counter width shouldn t exceed 24 inches and the. Standard height for light switch boxes. For wheelchair users 48 inches is usually specified as the maximum height since higher levels can be difficult to reach when.

The ada light switch height ranges refer to the recommended distance from the floor to the operable part of a light switch rather than the top or bottom of the cover usually the centerline for. Deeper shelves extending 20 to 25 inches from the wall reduce the maximum mount ing height of controls and outlets to 44 inches. What are the ada height requirements for switch mounting. A light switch mounted at 48 is not accessible for individuals with quadriplegia who use powered wheelchairs little people or for people carrying heavy boxes.

For unobstructed forward and side reach the federal minimum height is 15 inches and the maximum is 48 inches. The standard height for wall switches in most rooms excluding those over kitchen counters is 48 inches above the top of the floor covering measured to the bottom of the box. When the switch is over a counter that has a knee space and the counter depth exceeds 20 inches the maximum height of a switch is reduced to 44 inches.