ADA Compliance

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Micksbroke said:
Why can't we get a strait answer for ADA complianes in the our Bible (N.E.C.). Panels heights in particular?
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Because it is a building code issue- not NEC. I don't think panels would need to be ada compliant. There are heights for switches and receptacles.
 
NEC 2014

NEC 2014

Micksbroke said:
Why can't we get a strait answer for ADA complianes in the our Bible (N.E.C.). Panels heights in particular?
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The reach space from a wheelchair is from 15" to 48" above finished floor. Put the highest breaker at 48" and you are golden.:D

:rant:The next edition of NEC (2014) will contain a "non-enforceable annex" containing ADA requirements.
ADA does not need to be in the NEC or in building codes to be enforceable, it is federal law.
The ADA standards are available for free at ADA.GOV.

ADA applies nearly everywhere. It does not apply to places of worship. (in Massachusetts, the state "ADA" does apply to houses of worship.) Any place of public accommodation built since January 26, 1993 is supposed to meet the requirements. It is often triggered by alterations or expansion after that date as well. The requirements are not always applicable to residential construction, unless it is multi-family and has at least $1 of federal funds (it's more complicated than that actually).


Applying the standards whenever you build "anything" is, in general, a good idea. Another name for it is "universal design". For instance having a ramp or level entrance makes it easier for the UPS guy to roll in the packages.... Using lever "door knobs" rather than round ones makes it possible for people with weak grips to open the door and does not hinder those with good grips.

We, almost without exception, are TABs (Temporarily Able Bodied). Sorry for the rant but my wife has MS and is now in a wheelchair and is very frustrated with the lack of access in many places.:rant:
 
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I agree 100%, sorry to hear of your wife. I have a good friend in the same situation. I do think even though a federal situation like this should have standards in our bible to accomindate for, say dwelling.(to an extent, which who will be the bad guy to draw the line)
 
As Dennis points out, this is a building code issue and IMO it should not be a concern of the NEC just the same as where light fixtures and exit lights are required.

These issues are already covered elsewhere.

Roger
 
roger said:
As Dennis points out, this is a building code issue and IMO it should not be a concern of the NEC just the same as where light fixtures and exit lights are required.

These issues are already covered elsewhere.

Roger
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How is it any different than the current 6-? foot rule for circuit breakers? Surely that is not based on a "safety issue"?

Making something accessible to someone in a wheelchair might come under "readily accessible".
 
fmtjfw said:
How is it any different than the current 6-? foot rule for circuit breakers? Surely that is not based on a "safety issue"?

Making something accessible to someone in a wheelchair might come under "readily accessible".
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Actually it's 6'7", see 240.24 and 404.8

Roger
 
= =
"Why can't we get a strait answer for ADA compliances in the our Bible (N.E.C.). Panels heights in
particular?"
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I'll go ahead and step up on my soap box and say that referring
to the N.E.C. as the Bible is simply blasphemous and outright
disrespectful.......Actually, it is The Holy Bible [ the written
word of Almighty God ].......The word "standard" can just as
easily be used to refer to the N.E.C.

Also, ...if there is a question of the mounting heights, you can
can always go above the listed standard and install it to a more
desirable height, unless it is specified [ by an RDP ] to be
installed at a specific height.......I've been in construction for
35+ yrs. [ military, Residential & Commercial ] and the only
times I've seen a panel spec`d for a specific height was for
Accessibility and in floodplain areas......I'm sure there are
others, ...I just have not come across them.........Otherwise,
Article 404.8 states that you cannot exceeed the 6'-7"
dimension.......The panel can just as easily be installed lower.

Also, I agree with **fmtjfw**......Install the OCPD's at
48" [ max. ] and you're good!

= =
 
I have seen panelboards that if installed literally on the floor the top breakers are still near that 6-7 limit. Look at physical sizes of some of the larger I-Line panels.


ADA is one standard. NEC is another standard. If both apply to the installation then the designer needs to know both.

Same with location of smoke alarms, egress lighting, even knowing where you can drill a framing member for installing wiring without significantly weakening the framing member. They are not mentioned in NEC because they are not NEC issues, they are issues from other codes that also happen to effect the installation of electrical equipment.
 
north star said:
= =

I'll go ahead and step up on my soap box and say that referring
to the N.E.C. as the Bible is simply blasphemous and outright
disrespectful.......Actually, it is The Holy Bible [ the written
word of Almighty God ].......The word "standard" can just as
easily be used to refer to the N.E.C.

= =
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There are just as many people who would call what you just said blasphemous and outright disrespectful. Lets please not turn this into a religious debate. Calling something "the bible of (fill in the blank)" is commonly used, accepted and understood by nearly all to mean that it is a book of great importance.
 
There is no panel height requirement in the ADA standards. You have control heights (gas pumps, ATM, etc.) Reach heights (counters, etc) and receptacle height, switch height and heating and A/C control heights.
 
cowboyjwc said:
There is no panel height requirement in the ADA standards. You have control heights (gas pumps, ATM, etc.) Reach heights (counters, etc) and receptacle height, switch height and heating and A/C control heights.
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If you are building a home for a handicapped person why would you not make the panel accessible? Are you suggesting that:

205 Operable Parts

205.1 General. Operable parts on accessible elements, accessible routes, and in accessible rooms and spaces shall comply with 309.
EXCEPTIONS:

1. Operable parts that are intended for use only by service or maintenance personnel shall not be required to comply with 309.

means that making the panelboard inaccessible to a person in a wheelchair is fine?

As I understand it, owners of homes often operate circuit breakers prior to contracting for service or maintenance personnel. Why should the handicapped be treated differently?
 
Because you can't make everything easy. Most homeowners change their own lightbulbs. How is a handicapped person going to do that? I mounted my main panels with the main low and the branch circuits above it. Anyone could reach those mains. The top breakers may be out of reach, but you could try to hook them with some tool. I never need to flip them unless I'm adding to a circuit (but it may be required if something trips the breaker).

We can't accomodate everyone, and if we try some things are going to be a PITA (house floods an then someone sues the electrician for mounting the panel uncustomarily low...). Do you want your light fixtures halfway up the wall? The few handicapped people I've known have been very resourceful in coming up with ways that work for them to be more independent.
 
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suemarkp said:
Because you can't make everything easy. Most homeowners change their own lightbulbs. How is a handicapped person going to do that? I mounted my main panels with the main low and the branch circuits above it. Anyone could reach those mains. The top breakers may be out of reach, but you could try to hook them with some tool. I never need to flip them unless I'm adding to a circuit (but it may be required if something trips the breaker).

We can't accomodate everyone, and if we try some things are going to be a PITA (house floods an then someone sues the electrician for mounting the panel uncustomarily low...). Do you want your light fixtures halfway up the wall? The few handicapped people I've known have been very resourceful in coming up with ways that work for them to be more independent.
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And you can't be resourceful by mounting the panel so that all the handles are between 48" and 15" AFF? GIVE me a BREAK. Oddly enough we have AFCI breakers that trip whenever a bulb burns out, taking all the outlets in the room. Being able to reset the breaker is a positive. We also have GFCIs that need testing monthly.

Because you "can't make everything easy" doesn't mean that you shouldn't make as many things easy as you can.

"We can't accomodate everyone" Sure it would be very difficult to make a dwelling "operable" by Steve Hawkings, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't make a handicapped paraplegic's house as operable by them as we can.

The probability that a breaker is going to trip is about 100,000 higher than we are going to be flooded to 48-20 = 28" AFF.

When was the last time you were sued for mounting a panel lower than the customary height (whatever that is)?
 
all I do is work in hospitals and ADA is a big part of passing state inspection, outlets 18 inches,switches, pull stations,push plates for doors, rescue assistance all 44 inches and all measurements are given to the center of a device. however there is no height given for panels, disconnects etc.I have been on plenty of these inspections and they check alot of things thats why these inspections sometimes take a week to do, however i have never seen themcheck hieghts on panels only clearence in front of it. I think this would fall under maintained by qualified personnel. Heck our ada requirements are only 2 pages, you should see all the stuff the carpenders and plumbers have.
 
fmtjfw said:
If you are building a home for a handicapped person why would you not make the panel accessible?
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If someone were building a home for a handicapped person I would think they would build it for that particular persons handicap. I knew a person that was well over 6' and by the end of his life weighed close to 500 lbs and could not bend over, the typical ADA measurents would not have heped him at all, everything in his home would have been better mounted 5 to 7'.


Roger
 
roger said:
If someone were building a home for a handicapped person I would think they would build it for that particular persons handicap. I knew a person that was well over 6' and by the end of his life weighed close to 500 lbs and could not bend over, the typical ADA measurents would not have heped him at all, everything in his home would have been better mounted 5 to 7'.


Roger
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Yes building the house to fit the person is a good idea.
 
roger said:
If someone were building a home for a handicapped person I would think they would build it for that particular persons handicap. I knew a person that was well over 6' and by the end of his life weighed close to 500 lbs and could not bend over, the typical ADA measurents would not have heped him at all, everything in his home would have been better mounted 5 to 7'.


Roger
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:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I don't consider myself disabled but am getting to where I absolutely hate working on things that are low. I run into more elderly, or those approaching their senior years that want things higher than what is considered customary so they will not have to bend over to use them.

RICK NAPIER said:
Here a dwelling designed for accessability would be required to have the breakers no higher than 48 inches.
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Easy to do with typical panels used in most dwellings, but I can show you some I-Line panels, and other gear that are 7 feet (or more) tall.


ADA accomodates the majority of those that are disabled - and typically puts a lot of emphasis on those in wheelchairs. Not all disabled are in wheelchairs. IMO it is not possible to accommodate all disabilities, and you must have particular disabilities in mind for the design of whatever it is you are dealing with.
 
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