Reach Ranges for Outlets and Controls (2010 ADA Standards 308)
Four rules, not one number, and which applies turns on the approach and on what is in the way.
Example
You enter
- Approach side
- Reach is over an obstruction? yes
- Reach depth over the obstruction (in) 24
- Height of the obstruction itself (in; side reach only) 34
- Height of the outlet, switch, or control (in) 48
You get
- Max height (in) 46
- Min height (in) 15
- Height excess (in) 2
- Depth to gain (in) 14
- Max obstruction depth (in) 24
Details, formula, and sources
Forward: 48 in out to 20 in of reach depth, 44 in past that, and past 25 in NO height complies -- the element has to move, not come down. Side: 48 in out to 10 in of depth, 46 in from there to 24 in. The number that ends arguments is the obstruction's own ceiling on a side reach: it may be no more than 34 in high, so a standard 36 in counter is too TALL to be reached over under this section whatever is behind it. The 15 in low limit catches the other end -- a receptacle at the framer's usual 12 in fails it.
forward unobstructed: 15 to 48 in. Forward obstructed: 48 in maximum where the reach depth is 20 in or less, 44 in where it exceeds 20 in, and the reach depth may not exceed 25 in. Side unobstructed: 15 to 48 in. Side obstructed: 48 in maximum to a reach depth of 10 in, 46 in from there to a reach depth of 24 in, with the obstruction itself 34 in high maximum and 24 in deep maximum.
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, 308 Reach Ranges (308.2.1, 308.2.2, 308.3.1, 308.3.2). A US federal standard in the public domain, quoted directly.
The 2010 ADA Standards are published in full at no cost at ada.gov and by the US Access Board.
Estimate. AHJ and licensed professional govern.
Field names used by the API: approach, obstructed, obstruction_depth_in, obstruction_height_in, element_height_in, max_height_in, min_height_in, height_excess_in, depth_to_gain_in, max_obstruction_depth_in
- Forward unobstructed 48 in maximum high, 15 in minimum low2010 ADA Standards 308.2.1
- Forward obstructed 48 in to a 20 in reach depth, 44 in beyond, 25 in maximum depth2010 ADA Standards 308.2.2
- Side unobstructed 48 in maximum high, 15 in minimum low2010 ADA Standards 308.3.1
- Side obstructed 48 in to a 10 in reach depth, 46 in to a 24 in reach depth2010 ADA Standards 308.3.2
- Obstruction on a side reach 34 in high maximum and 24 in deep maximum2010 ADA Standards 308.3.2
- Exceptions to the 34 in washing machine and dryer tops 36 in; fuel dispenser operable parts 54 in on existing curbs2010 ADA Standards 308.3.2 Exceptions 1 and 2