Ada Outlet Height Above Countertop

Deep counter and base cabinets mounting height for outlets 48 max.

Ada outlet height above countertop. The americans with disabilities act on the other hand specifies. There are some specific placement requirments such as 210 52 c 5 that limit the height of the receptacles that are to serve the countertop to not more than 20 inches above the countertop. The ada is project specified. An example would be reaching a receptacle over a short curb or wall element.

Some states such as california have established the ada guidelines as electrical code outlet height requirements. A separate exception allows the height of washers and dryers to be 36 inches above a finished floor. The ada also establishes guidelines for the placement of outlets above counters and in other places that are hard to reach for people confined to wheelchairs. The floor and custom counter thickness will almost always be a negative clearance with the wall plate.

46 aff ocations for for accessible controls and outlets all operable parts must be within the ranges specified above. There is also an exception for fuel dispensers not related to this article. There is no specific height at which receptacles are typically installed behind a countertop. If the countertop space behind the range top or sink in an island is 12 inches or greater then only one receptacle is required to serve that island.

Also the building codes have some height requirements for receptacles and switches for handicap accessibility ada. Receptacle outlets shall be located no more than 20 inches above a countertop. The kitchen work surface shall be 34 inches 865 mm maximum above the finish floor or ground. The height of the outlet should be high enough to clear the built in backsplash on the countertop but no higher than 18 inches from the top of the countertop work surface.

Since it is not desirable to use an extension cord on these devices most electrical codes require a higher number of electrical outlets above a kitchen counter than anywhere else in the home. The code allows for the installation of electrical outlets inside the cabinets but they must be within 12 inches below the countertop. Orsc e35 210 52 c 2 see figure 1. Setting wall switch heights at 42 is standard above a 32 bath lav counter in a kitchen 42 will not usually work with a 36 inch cabinet plus counter height.

The nec has no official requirement concerning the height of a receptacle above any finished floor including the kitchen floor.