The current bid I'm doing is for a dwelling that will have at least one wheelchair-bound resident. There are no AHJ's or anything here of that effect when it comes to this sort of thing.
My question is: What switch heights (lower than "normal"), receptacle heights (higher than "normal"), and other accomodations should I bear in mind?
Thanks...
-Virgil
Don't quote me on this but: I think ADA requires 54 inches AFF or lower for switches and 12 inches AFF or higher for recepts.
I don't like going lower than 48" for the switches as these people will most likely not be the only people to live there, now or future. The intent of the ADA is to allow people in chairs to reach switches, and they assume a reasonable amount of mobility.
As a side note: I have been in some houses built in the 70's, I think, that have the switches, and door knobs at about 36" AFF, looks real funny. My X was 4'9" tall and she thought so too. Good luck!!
I guess Len beat me to it. Len, are those a state guidline? Which state?
I have no idea. First page of the document cites a Fair Housing Act CFR - Federal. Looks like it might be mandatory for multifamily in some cases. I'll have to read and learn... try to learn something new every day...
Len
I believe ADA requirements are;
- Receptacles 18" to center.
- Switches 42" to center.
I could be wrong but I'm 99% sure.
sparky66wv...i think it's between 42-48 inches for switches and above 15 inches from the floor for receptacles.
it's been some years ago but i remember the switches at 44 inches and we installed the recps at 2 ft in a comm bldg.i have the paper on that,just have to look for it.
This page--in GIF format-- is from the PDF that Joe Tedesco had posted under a different thread (about metal studs and grounding--the code is from Massachusetts).
Hope that helps.
as far the ada requrements : switches 1.1 meter aff (43 inches) repepctales useally 40 cm off but can go high as 1/2 meter aff depend on ajh. myself i deal with alot of deaf clinets too somehow i add one more item is flashing strobe light for smoke alarm and door bell system too but for other stuff i deal case by case with building inspecter with me with fine comb i belive there are some fine prints in nec but iam not sure yet .
merci marc
Virgil,
My typical specs are as follows:
Max. height to operating handle of switches:
+ 48" A.F.F.
Min. height to bottom of Receptacle:
+ 15" A.F.F.
This is like the "Norm" for Cal ADA (dictated in CBC Title 24, part 2).
In ADA Restrooms, the 'reachability" situation might at times place an outlet (GFCI) located at the wash basin to a maximum of + 38" A.F.F. to center, or + 40" A.F.F. to top of outlet.
Take a leisurely browse through the Fed's ADA website, which should have plenty O' .pdf documents regarding ADA stuff for downloading / printing / viewing / whatever else can be done with an Adobe Portable Document Format type Deal-ee' O'-Bobber!
Scott35 S.E.T.