Unless your building is less than three stories tall or has fewer than 3,000 square feet per floor, your elevators must meet guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Failure to comply with ADA elevator accessibility requirements can result in hefty fines and may even be the basis of a discrimination lawsuit. Whether you are planning a new elevator installation or need to renovate an old existing elevator, make sure your elevators are ADA compliant. A commercial elevator installation company in Salt Lake City will make sure your elevators are compliant with all state and federal requirements.
Car Buttons
ADA-compliant elevators must have hall and car buttons mounted at 42 inches. Call buttons must also be a minimum of 0.75 inches in diameter, and ADA regulations call for certain illumination levels for all elevator buttons. Additionally, braille plates must be installed next to buttons as well as at the entrance jambs.
Cab Room
The inside of the elevator must be large enough to accommodate a wheelchair and allow a wheelchair to complete a 360-degree turn. The U.S. Access Board can provide you with specific elevator cab dimensions, as can a commercial elevator installer in Salt Lake City that is familiar with ADA regulations.
Handrails
ADA-compliant elevators must also have handrails located at specific heights. Again, the U.S. Access Board or your elevator installer can provide you with specific dimensions for handrail height requirements. Your elevator installer can also help you select handrails that meet ADA regulations and also add a stylish look and feel to the inside of your elevator, if that’s something that you are concerned with.
Reopening Devices
Another ADA requirements of certain elevators is that reopening devices activate without physical contact. A commercial elevator installer can retrofit your existing elevator with an appropriate reopening device, or make sure that your new elevator features an ADA-compliant reopening device to make sure your elevator meets federal guidelines.