wkl_duff
Member
- Location
- West Virginia
Is there a specific height for recepticles and light switches for residential? what is typical
Recepticle and switch height
- Thread starter wkl_duff
- Start date
- Status
G
Guest
Guest
Re: Recepticle and switch height
In residential the major limiting factor is good judgment. From a design standpoint consistency is usually the rule.
There is a focus to make features more accessible for persons with disabilities.
As a general guideline, accessories should be mounted so the operating features are 38" to 48" above the finish floor to allow forward reach by people in wheelchairs.
In traffic lanes (hallways, etc.) protrusions should be limited in the crash zone.
There may be local building and/or electrical codes that dictate placement. Consult your local AHJ for specific requirements.
In the old days receptacles were 12" OC and switches were 48" OC. In the very early days the receptacles went in the baseboard. Some designers specify 10" OC and 42" OC. Another consideration is keeping things out-of-reach or within-reach of children.
In public areas the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Design Guide) pulls rank.
In residential the major limiting factor is good judgment. From a design standpoint consistency is usually the rule.
There is a focus to make features more accessible for persons with disabilities.
As a general guideline, accessories should be mounted so the operating features are 38" to 48" above the finish floor to allow forward reach by people in wheelchairs.
In traffic lanes (hallways, etc.) protrusions should be limited in the crash zone.
There may be local building and/or electrical codes that dictate placement. Consult your local AHJ for specific requirements.
In the old days receptacles were 12" OC and switches were 48" OC. In the very early days the receptacles went in the baseboard. Some designers specify 10" OC and 42" OC. Another consideration is keeping things out-of-reach or within-reach of children.
In public areas the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Design Guide) pulls rank.
wkl_duff
Member
- Location
- West Virginia
Re: Recepticle and switch height
thanks for the info guys.
thanks for the info guys.
G
Guest
Guest
Re: Recepticle and switch height
The A117.1 standard is the consensus standard addressing accessibility. It has been widely used as the basis of state and local accessibility regulations since it was first published in 1980. The 1980 edition of A117.1 also served as the basis for the federal Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS). Current ADAAG also utilized A117.1-1980 as a base, and added provisions from UFAS, and the 1989 Minimum Guideline Requirements for Accessible Design (MGRAD); current ADAAG aligns quite closely with A117.1-1986 edition in terms of technical requirements. A 1992 edition of A117.1 was published not long after the issuance of ADAAG.
It's a chicken and egg kind of thing. The egg became a chicken. That chicken laid an egg.
It's all optional in a private residence.
The A117.1 standard is the consensus standard addressing accessibility. It has been widely used as the basis of state and local accessibility regulations since it was first published in 1980. The 1980 edition of A117.1 also served as the basis for the federal Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS). Current ADAAG also utilized A117.1-1980 as a base, and added provisions from UFAS, and the 1989 Minimum Guideline Requirements for Accessible Design (MGRAD); current ADAAG aligns quite closely with A117.1-1986 edition in terms of technical requirements. A 1992 edition of A117.1 was published not long after the issuance of ADAAG.
It's a chicken and egg kind of thing. The egg became a chicken. That chicken laid an egg.
It's all optional in a private residence.
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: Recepticle and switch height
In a residential application there is no standard height ,but from experience 46 in. to center is a poor height to use as a standard.Most drywall is installed horizontally,that puts the switch in the factory edge and it will be filled to the max with drywall mud.There are some builders that do spec heights for switches and receptacles.Arthur Ruttenberg Homes (custom builder) here specs receptacles to be 10 in. center and switches to be 36 in center(ouch my back remembers those rough ins and trims)But for the most part it is up to the electrical contractor to decide what the norm will be.
In a residential application there is no standard height ,but from experience 46 in. to center is a poor height to use as a standard.Most drywall is installed horizontally,that puts the switch in the factory edge and it will be filled to the max with drywall mud.There are some builders that do spec heights for switches and receptacles.Arthur Ruttenberg Homes (custom builder) here specs receptacles to be 10 in. center and switches to be 36 in center(ouch my back remembers those rough ins and trims)But for the most part it is up to the electrical contractor to decide what the norm will be.
Re: Recepticle and switch height
If you do use accessibility guidelines, whatever is adopted in your area, the allowable max. and min. are to the top and bottom of the working part. That is, the top of the switch handle can be no higher than 48", and the bottom of the ground hole on the bottom receptacle can be no lower than 15". (assuming the ground hole is down)
Earl
If you do use accessibility guidelines, whatever is adopted in your area, the allowable max. and min. are to the top and bottom of the working part. That is, the top of the switch handle can be no higher than 48", and the bottom of the ground hole on the bottom receptacle can be no lower than 15". (assuming the ground hole is down)
Earl
Re: Recepticle and switch height
Earl that still doesn't coincide with the 54" and 9" from ADAAG. (side access)
I guess what I'm asking is who determines what standard is is used. I know someone can use the "maximum" or "minimum" (ADAAG or ICC/ANSI) but where is it in writing?
I know as of two years ago (new post office) the Fed government used the ADAAG.
Roger
[ October 10, 2003, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: roger ]
Earl that still doesn't coincide with the 54" and 9" from ADAAG. (side access)
I guess what I'm asking is who determines what standard is is used. I know someone can use the "maximum" or "minimum" (ADAAG or ICC/ANSI) but where is it in writing?
I know as of two years ago (new post office) the Fed government used the ADAAG.
Roger
[ October 10, 2003, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: roger ]
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: Recepticle and switch height
Roger: You sould find that answer at the same location you would use to find out which codes are adopted in your state. Here it is the web site of the department of proffessional licensing.
The ADAAG is a retro-active federal law for existing buildings. The ICC/ANSI A117.1 is an alternative that may be adopted for new construction. Chapter 11 of the IBC is the accessibility chapter of the building code. When the 2003 IBC was written, it tried to mirror the new ADAAG requirements, but unfortunatly the new ADAAG hasn't came out yet. The ICC/ANSI is attempting to promote consistency with the the ADAAG, but right now the A117.1 is more restrictive.
Hope this helps,
Roger: You sould find that answer at the same location you would use to find out which codes are adopted in your state. Here it is the web site of the department of proffessional licensing.
The ADAAG is a retro-active federal law for existing buildings. The ICC/ANSI A117.1 is an alternative that may be adopted for new construction. Chapter 11 of the IBC is the accessibility chapter of the building code. When the 2003 IBC was written, it tried to mirror the new ADAAG requirements, but unfortunatly the new ADAAG hasn't came out yet. The ICC/ANSI is attempting to promote consistency with the the ADAAG, but right now the A117.1 is more restrictive.
Hope this helps,
- Status