ADA & (Main) Breaker height requirements

Status
Not open for further replies.
rexowner

rexowner

Senior Member
Location
San Jose, CA
Occupation
Electrician
We're building a small condo development, one unit of which is handicap-accessible. My interpretation of the ADA is that
the main breaker is a switch, and should therefore be
centered at 48" or lower.

Is this just my opinion, or am I am firm ground that the
main and other breakers must be 48" or less? Since I
have to ask the GC to jump through some hoops, I'd
really like to be on firm ground.

I realize this is not a NEC-specific question, but would
appreciate any help even if slightly off-topic.

Thanks.
 
The National Electrical Code does not include any provisions to accomodate persons with any of the disabilities addressed in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There is a requirement in 404.8(A) to the effect that all switches (and breakers used as switches) must be no more than 2 meters (6' 7") off the floor. I think there is another requirement related to panels, but I could not find it just now. I think it also gives an upper limit of 2 meters.
 
The last ADA units I did (last winter)..we had top of breakers at 48" ...if there were to be a main in the panels ~ would have been at 48" also top of breaker - NOT back box.

I cannot cite an article for you, just what we did.
 
celtic said:
The last ADA units I did (last winter)..we had top of breakers at 48" ...if there were to be a main in the panels ~ would have been at 48" also top of breaker - NOT back box.

I cannot cite an article for you, just what we did.
Click to expand...

48" is the top of the unobstructed reach height for ICC/ANSI 117.1-2003.

This is the accessibility standard adopted by the IBC.

Here is what the standard states:

308.2 Forward Reach.
308.2.1 Unobstructed.Where a forward reach
is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be
48 inches (1220 mm) maximumand the low forward
reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum
above the floor.
Click to expand...

Chris
 
Here is what the California Electrical Code, which supersedes the ADA here in CA, since it is more restrictive, says:

When access for people with physical disabilities is required in covered multifamily dwellings, light switches, thermostats and other environmental controls shall be located no higher than 48", and no lower than 15" above the finished floor measured to the center of the grip.

There is no mention of overcurrent devices. There is also no mention of it in 240 or 408.

Just found this 1142A.1 of the ICC says pretty much the same thing with this modification: ...to control lighting and receptacle outlets, appliances, alarms and cooling, heating and ventilating equipment...
 
Last edited:
I appreciate all of the responses.

I could not find a code requirement either, so I will go to
the GC about making the bldg changes to put the
breakers inc main below 48" as the "right thing to do"
for accessibility, rather than a code requirement.

Thanks.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top