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Comparison: Reach Ranges


Excerpted from ADA Accessibility Guidelines Side-by-Side Comparison – Chapter 3 in response to question raised on teleconference call of 6 April 2007.

Comparison of the requirements for Reach Ranges from the updated ADAAG, DOJ Standards for Accessible Design, and International Building Code / ANSI.
New ADAAG DOJ Standards for Accessible Design International Building Code Current 508 Provision
308 Reach Ranges   ANSI 308 Reach Ranges §508 1194.25 (j) (1-4)
308.1 General.  Reach ranges shall comply with 308.   ANSI 308.1 General.  Reach ranges shall comply with Section 308. 1194.25 (j)
308.2 Forward Reach. 4.2.5 Forward Reach.  If the clear floor space only allows forward approach to an object, the maximum high forward reach allowed shall be 48 in (1220 mm) (see Fig. 5(a)).  The minimum low forward reach is 15 in (380 mm).  If the high forward reach is over an obstruction, reach and clearances shall be as shown in Fig. 5(b).

Notes:

  • In Figure 5(a), the forward reach range shown in profile and plan view to be 48 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum.
  • In Figure 5(b), 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).
ANSI 308.2 Forward Reach. (j) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following:
308.2.1 Unobstructed.  Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground. ANSI 308.2.1 Unobstructed.  Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor. (j) (1)  The position of any operable control shall be determined with respect to a vertical plane, which is 48 inches in length, centered on the operable control, and at the maximum protrusion of the product within the 48 inch length (see Figure 1 of this part).
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 (510 mm) 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 (635 mm) maximum. ANSI 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 (510 mm) 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 (635 mm) maximum.  
308.3 Side Reach.   ANSI 308.3 Side Reach. (j) (2)  Where any operable control is 10 inches or less behind the reference plane, the height shall be 54 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor.
308.3.1 Unobstructed. 

Where a clear floor or ground 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 finish floor or ground.

Exceptions:

  1. An obstruction shall be permitted between the clear floor or ground space and the element where the depth of the obstruction is 10 inches (255 mm) maximum.
  2. Operable parts of fuel dispensers shall be permitted to be 54 inches (1370 mm) maximum measured from the surface of the vehicular way where fuel dispensers are installed on existing curbs.
4.2.6 Side Reach.  If the clear floor space allows parallel approach by a person in a wheelchair, the maximum high side reach allowed shall be 54 in (1370 mm) and the low side reach shall be no less than 9 in (230 mm) above the floor (Fig. 6(a) and (b)).  If the side reach is over an obstruction, the reach and clearances shall be as shown in Fig 6(c).

Notes:

  • In Figure 6(a), the 30 by 48 inch clear floor space is located a maximum 10 inches (255 mm) from the wall.
  • In Figure 6(b), the 30 by 48 inch wheelchair clear floor space is located a maximum 10 inches (255 mm) from the wall.
  • Figure 6(c) indicates that 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).
ANSI 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.

(j) (3)  Where any operable control is more than 10 inches and not more than 24 inches behind the reference plane, the height shall be 46 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor.
308.3.2 Obstructed High Reach.  Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the high side reach is over an obstruction, the height of the obstruction shall be 34 inches (865 mm) 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 (255 mm), the high side reach shall be 46 inches (1170 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum.

Exceptions:

  1. The top of washing machines and clothes dryers shall be permitted to be 36 inches (915 mm) maximum above the finish floor.
  2. Operable parts of fuel dispensers shall be permitted to be 54 inches (1370 mm) maximum measured from the surface of the vehicular way where fuel dispensers are installed on existing curbs.
308.3.2 ANSI 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 (865 mm) 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 (255 mm), the high side reach shall be 46 inches (1170 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. (j) (4)  Operable controls shall not be more than 24 inches behind the reference plane (see Figure 2 of this part).

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