The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has certain regulations that must be followed in order to provide equal access to everyone. It’s important for business owners to understand what these stipulations are so that they can ensure they are always in compliance.
Among other things, the ADA notes that elevators have to be designed properly so that they are accessible to individuals with a variety of different disabilities. Below are just a few of the rules to keep in mind.
Automatic door closing times
Most elevators use automatic door-closing systems. The ADA mandates that the doors have to be open for a minimum of three seconds. These doors also need to be 36 inches wide. This is wide enough for someone to enter with a wheelchair and the three-second delay ensures that they have time to do so.
Call buttons and emergency controls
The buttons in an elevator need to be at least 3/4 of an inch in diameter. They also need to be 42 inches high, when measuring from the floor of the elevator. The emergency call controls should be at least 35 inches high and they need to be at the bottom of the panel.
Elevator size
The main compartment of the elevator needs to be 68 inches wide and 51 inches deep at the very minimum. This means that someone with a mobility device, like an electric scooter or a wheelchair, will still be able to use the elevator easily.
Resolving disputes
Has your business been accused of violating the ADA? If so, then you need to know about the legal steps you can take to resolve this dispute and move forward.