Receptacles & Switches Height Commercial
- Thread starter mtnelectrical
- Start date
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ivsenroute
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
This is compliments of Roger, Chief Moderator from 2003.
Don't fight it, you are wrong. Learning experience.
These may help.
Here is the link:
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=66485
Figure 5b
Maximum Forward Reach over an Obstruction
The maximum level forward reach over an obstruction with knee space below is 25 inches (635 mm). When the obstruction is less than 20 inches (510 mm) deep, the maximum high forward reach is 48 inches (1220 mm). When the obstruction projects 20 to 25 inches (510 mm to 635 mm), the maximum high forward reach is 44 inches (1120 mm). (4.2.5, 4.25.3).
Figure 6(b)
High and Low - Side Reach Limits
The 30 by 48 inch wheelchair clear floor space is located a maximum 10 inches (255 mm) from the wall.
Figure 6(c)
Maximum Side Reach over Obstruction
If the depth of the obstruction is 24 inches (610 mm) and the maximum height of the obstruction is 34 inches (865 mm), the maximum high side reach over the obstruction is 46 inches (1170).
Roger
__________________
Chief Moderator
Don't fight it, you are wrong. Learning experience.
These may help.
Here is the link:
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=66485
Figure 5b
Maximum Forward Reach over an Obstruction
The maximum level forward reach over an obstruction with knee space below is 25 inches (635 mm). When the obstruction is less than 20 inches (510 mm) deep, the maximum high forward reach is 48 inches (1220 mm). When the obstruction projects 20 to 25 inches (510 mm to 635 mm), the maximum high forward reach is 44 inches (1120 mm). (4.2.5, 4.25.3).
Figure 6(b)
High and Low - Side Reach Limits
The 30 by 48 inch wheelchair clear floor space is located a maximum 10 inches (255 mm) from the wall.
Figure 6(c)
Maximum Side Reach over Obstruction
If the depth of the obstruction is 24 inches (610 mm) and the maximum height of the obstruction is 34 inches (865 mm), the maximum high side reach over the obstruction is 46 inches (1170).
Roger
__________________
Chief Moderator
ivsenroute
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
More detailed information:
308 Reach Ranges
308.1 General. Reach ranges shall comply with Section 308.
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 lowforward
reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor.
308.2.2 Obstructed High Reach. Where a high forward reach is over an obstruction, the clear floor space shall extend beneath the element
for a distance not less than the required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum where the reach depth is 20 inches (510mm) maximum. Where the reach depth
exceeds 20 inches (510 mm), the high forward reach shall be 44 inches (1120 mm) maximum, and the reach depth shall be 25 inches (635mm) maximum.
308.3 Side Reach.
308.3.1 Unobstructed. Where a clear floor space allows a parallel approach to an element and the side reach is unobstructed, the high side reach shall
be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor.
EXCEPTION: Existing elements shall be permitted at 54 inches (1370 mm) maximum above the floor.
308.3.2 Obstructed High Reach. Where a clear floor space allows a parallel approach to an object and the high side reach is over an obstruction, the
height of the obstruction shall be 34 inches (865mm) maximum and the depth of the obstruction shall be 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. The high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 10 inches (255 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 10 inches (255mm), the high side reach shall be 46 inches (1170mm) maximum for a reach depth of 24 inches (610mm) maximum.
308 Reach Ranges
308.1 General. Reach ranges shall comply with Section 308.
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 lowforward
reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor.
308.2.2 Obstructed High Reach. Where a high forward reach is over an obstruction, the clear floor space shall extend beneath the element
for a distance not less than the required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum where the reach depth is 20 inches (510mm) maximum. Where the reach depth
exceeds 20 inches (510 mm), the high forward reach shall be 44 inches (1120 mm) maximum, and the reach depth shall be 25 inches (635mm) maximum.
308.3 Side Reach.
308.3.1 Unobstructed. Where a clear floor space allows a parallel approach to an element and the side reach is unobstructed, the high side reach shall
be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor.
EXCEPTION: Existing elements shall be permitted at 54 inches (1370 mm) maximum above the floor.
308.3.2 Obstructed High Reach. Where a clear floor space allows a parallel approach to an object and the high side reach is over an obstruction, the
height of the obstruction shall be 34 inches (865mm) maximum and the depth of the obstruction shall be 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. The high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 10 inches (255 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 10 inches (255mm), the high side reach shall be 46 inches (1170mm) maximum for a reach depth of 24 inches (610mm) maximum.
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
In NJ it's no longer called "ADA Requirements" it is now called "Barrier Free". A full copy of the Code is located here :
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/codes/code_assist_internet/barrier_free/pdf/Sub_7_on_8_6_07.pdf
I was just cited for improperly installing receptacles along the base of a wall in an office that had built-in wood shelving. I had to raise the receptacles up to the 15" height and install them inside one of the shelving spaces
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/codes/code_assist_internet/barrier_free/pdf/Sub_7_on_8_6_07.pdf
I was just cited for improperly installing receptacles along the base of a wall in an office that had built-in wood shelving. I had to raise the receptacles up to the 15" height and install them inside one of the shelving spaces
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Pierre C Belarge
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
There are some states that do not follow the American's Disability Act, they have their own codes regarding heights/locations.
NY for one, does not use the ADA, they have their own requirements.
NY for one, does not use the ADA, they have their own requirements.
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
mtnelectrical said:
To the center of the device.
Here we adopt the California Electrical Code, which includes the ADA requirements.
quogueelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- new york
One of my friends Tommy Quinn was a vietnam vet who stepped on a land mine and had his legs blown off . He told me that he was involved in the determination process of the ada requirements. He was angry that he fought for his country and did the right thing and that he should be able to go to the bathroom in dignity. I never questioned the ADA laws again from that day. BTW he is a scratch golfer he is an amazing man.
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Electrician - but not by NC Law.
Because that what a person can do in a wheel chair.Rewire said:
SiddMartin
Senior Member
- Location
- PA
This is a good read, I didn't not realize the minimum ht for recepts. How is a floor box not subject to that? (besides the obvious)
mtnelectrical
Senior Member
- Location
- Essex, New Jersey
I missed the inspector in the morning but I got the red sticker and it says "free barrier code", it seems this was adopted last year in NJ, Duh so it was my fault, upps! 15" min height recept and 48" max height for switches. Well again, does it mean to the center of the box?
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
This is an excerpt from the ADA check list that I posted earlier :
Controls (ADAAG 4.27)
Are all controls that are available for use by
the public (including electrical, mechanical,
cabinet, game, and self-service controls) located
at an accessible height?
Reach ranges: The maximum height for
a side reach is 54 inches; for a forward
reach, 48 inches. The minimum reachable
height is 15 inches for a front approach
and 9 inches for a side approach.
So, off hand I would say that measurements should be to the center of the box.
Controls (ADAAG 4.27)
Are all controls that are available for use by
the public (including electrical, mechanical,
cabinet, game, and self-service controls) located
at an accessible height?
Reach ranges: The maximum height for
a side reach is 54 inches; for a forward
reach, 48 inches. The minimum reachable
height is 15 inches for a front approach
and 9 inches for a side approach.
So, off hand I would say that measurements should be to the center of the box.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
mtnelectrical said:
The easy way to make sure you have 15" min AFF ( above finished floor ) is to mark the bottom of the box at 16" ( the floor finish will not be over an inch deep this will make sure you have at least 15"). Mark the top switch boxes at 48" and when the floor finish is installed ( carpet, tile, hardwood ) this will bring the top down to about 47 1/2".
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
According to the document goldstar posted, ADA is not relevent in NJ. New Jersey, like many states, use the IBC and ANSI A117.1 for accessibility. Your building may or may not have to meet "ADA", but it still has to meet the building code. Your building code references ANSI A 117.1, and that means it must be accessible. The inspector is correct, you are out of luck.
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Electrician - but not by NC Law.
Seems the last job (as I recall) was 42" to switches and 18" for recp. both to center line.
Since, I'm mostly commercial we always take a look at the finish schedule.
The devices will be at the desired heights especially if the little three letters of AFF follow the dimensions given above.
Alot of our work gets third party inspections
Sometimes, it'll be that one is on a subpour of concrete, sometimes its a future built up floor as well as raised floors.
Since, I'm mostly commercial we always take a look at the finish schedule.
The devices will be at the desired heights especially if the little three letters of AFF follow the dimensions given above.
Alot of our work gets third party inspections
Sometimes, it'll be that one is on a subpour of concrete, sometimes its a future built up floor as well as raised floors.
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