The ADA is short for the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law by then-President Bush back in 1990. It was crafted to protect the civil rights of those with disabilities — similar to the rights protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (this act made it illegal to discriminate against anyone due to race, religion, color, sex, or national origin).
Many aspects of life are afforded protections under the ADA, elevators included. This law applies to any building that is more than three stories tall or that has fewer than 3,000 sq ft. Mowrey is proud to say we abide by the ADA as it relates to elevators. To that end, we include exact dimensions for everything from cabs to handrails to car buttons.
Here are more examples included in the law:
- Hall and car buttons have to be at 42 inches.
- Call buttons must have a diameter of at least 0.75 inches.
- Braille plates must be located at the jambs of entrances and adjacent to buttons.
- Chimes must announce the cab’s arrival at each floor or as it passes each floor, even if no stoppage occurs.
- Each cab must have the capability of fitting a wheelchair and accommodate its 360-degree turn.
- Doors have to have the capacity to re-open sans physical contact.
- Emergency buttons must be situated at least 35 inches from the floor.
- Handrails should be located at 30 inches.
For more information on compliance specifics, feel free to visit the ADA site. You’ll get more details on what is required for your elevator, including hall lantern fixtures, signal timing, door delays and floor plans. Certain things have to be addressed by any building or facility that features elevators. They must abide by these guidelines:
- Car Size: Must be able to accommodate a certain number of people, including those bound to wheelchairs, so that all may enter comfortably and turn around easily.
- Placement and Operation of Elevators: Visitors have to be able to access elevators comfortably in all public spaces. Elevators could be considered non-ADA compliant if located in an inaccessible portion of the facility or building.
- Flooring: All elevators must include slip-resistant flooring. If carpet is present, it must be securely attached with no folds, grooves or wrinkles.
- Self-Leveling: Elevators have to raise the cab floor—automatically — so it is flush with the floor where it stops.
Contact Mowrey Elevator
Got more concerns or questions about Mowrey’s ADA elevator compliance? Please call us with any questions, as we want to help you understand the compliance process and tell you how we adhere to it. Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable and safe as possible.