As a business owner, maintaining safe conditions inside the building is your responsibility. It might be difficult for people with impairments to use certain interior lighting fixtures and switches, which is why there are guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) you must follow. The U.S. Department of Justice enforces these rules. To ensure you adhere to the law, below is a brief overview of standards.    

ADA Requirements for Light Switches

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination by the government as well as in the workplace, at school, and in buildings open to the general public. Under Title III of the law, public accommodations, including hotels, restaurants, and retail shops, must meet the minimum standards of accessibility in a wide range of areas, including interior lighting. 

When it comes to wall-mounted light switches, it might be hard for people in wheelchairs to stretch to reach the panels. To minimize strain and the potential for injuries, light switches must be installed 15 to 48 inches off the ground. Issues with fine motor skills can also affect the ability to grip and move toggle switches. For this reason, plate rocker switches should be installed in your business. As the switches are large and wide, hand muscles don’t have to work as hard to move them. Switches must be placed in areas of at least 30 inches wide by 48 inches deep, as this is how much space wheelchair users need to clear areas.

Rules Regarding Interior Lighting Fixtures

Although large light fixtures can add visual appeal to hallways, they can also create obstacles when navigating tight spaces. So people don’t bump their heads into them, wall- or ceiling-mounted lamps must be at least 80 inches off the ground. This also benefits people using walkers or canes, who might otherwise lose their balance when trying to walk around the lights. As this provides enough headroom to walk through corridors safely, the fixtures can protrude from the wall as much as you want. If the fixtures are fewer than 80 inches off the ground, they can’t protrude more than four inches.

For help making your interior lighting system ADA compliant, contact the commercial electricians at Quantum Electric. For over 25 years, the Round Rock, TX-based, licensed, and certified professionals have been providing light pole installation, energy management solutions, and light system maintenance and repairs to businesses in the Austin area. For more about their offerings, visit the website. Call (512) 246-1145 to discuss your needs.