32 ½” of overall cabinet height: Cabinets need to be an overall height of 32 ½” in order to be compliant with the ADA.
Mounting Heights for Cabinets
According to the ADA Standards for operable parts (Sections 205, 308 and 309) the cabinet handle cannot be mounted higher than 48” above finished floor (AFF) for applications which allow for a forward or side approach in a wheelchair to the object.
Wing walls shall extend downward to 27 inches (685 mm) or less above the floor. The highest operable part shall be located no higher than 48 inches (1220 mm) above the floor. Telephone and enclosure are shown as wall-mounted or with optional post and base.
The tops of accessible tables and counters shall be from 28 in to 34 in (710 mm to 865 mm) above the finish floor or ground. ANSI 902.3 Height. The tops of dining surfaces and work surfaces shall be 28 inches (710 mm) minimum and 34 inches (865 mm) maximum in height above the floor.
What Is an ADA-Compliant Counter? ADA counter height requirements dictate service counters must be under 36 inches high and less than 36 inches long. They also must have at least a clear 30 by 48-inch area in front of them for adequate wheelchair access. Different counter types have their own specifications, though.
Figure 38(a) Shelves.
3 Height), the maximum high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) above the floor and the low side reach shall be a minimum of 9 inches (230 mm) above the floor. The shelves can be adjustable. The maximum distance from the user to the middle of the shelf shall be 21 inches (535 mm).
An accessible table has a surface height of no more than 34 inches and no less than 28 inches above the floor. At least 27 inches of knee clearance must be provided between the floor and the underside of the table.
The power receptacles and light switches also must be within reach ranges. The power receptacle is within the 48" (1220 mm) maximum height. The light switch not shown is placed at the same height so that it lines up.
48" max. inches above the floor. For obstructions extending from 0 to 20 inches from the wall the maximum height for a control or outlet over the obstruction is 48 inches above the floor. Deeper shelves, extending 20 to 25 inches from the wall, reduce the maximum mount ing height of controls and outlets to 44 inches.
The guidelines for ADA installation specify that a wall light be no more than 4-inches from the wall and be mounted between 2-feet 4-inches to 6-feet 8-inches above the finished floor. Following these guidelines and using an ADA approved lighting fixture offers maximum clearance.
While the NEC doesn't specify the height of switches, most follow a standard procedure. Typical placement puts them at 48″ on-center. Exceptions exist for homes where wheelchair-accessibility is a major concern. In this case you can place them around 40-inches high off the floor.
While commercial building requirements vary by city code, most cities have similar requirements, many of which are designed to meet Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards. A GFCI outlet, to remain accessible, should sit within about 15 to 48 inches from the floor.
A typical closet can include two levels of hanging rods. As a rule, place the top rod 80 to 82-inches up from the floor and the bottom rod about 40-inches up from the floor. For a single rod application, plan 60-inches from the floor for placement.
ADA Requirements
The seat height of a water closet above the finish floor shall be 17 inches (430 mm) minimum and 19 inches (485 mm) maximum measured to the top of the seat.
Leave wiggle room between closet rods and shelves.
If this is the case, mount the closet rod below the shelf, achieving a distance of at least two inches from the bottom of the shelf to the top of the rod. Without this clearance, the space between the shelf and rod will be too tight to maneuver hangers.
In a closet that has double closet rods, the typical heights of the rods are between 38-40 inches to center from the floor on the lower rod, and 76-80 inches...
Standard Closet Rod Height
For single-rod closets, the standard height is approximately 66 inches (167.6 cm) from the floor. This height is ideal for hanging most clothing items, including dresses, suits, and long skirts.
Just keep in mind the maximum load for a single circuit. A good rule of thumb is to assume that there will be a maximum power draw of 1.5 amps for each outlet, allowing 10 outlets for a single 20-amp circuit.
Generally, you want to mount receptacle boxes with the bottom of the box about 16-inches off the floor. Coincidentally, this roughly equates to the same height as your garden variety 22-ounce framing hammer.
You can run about 8 outlets to a 15-amp circuit.
The 80% rule (used by electricians) says you should only use 80% of a circuit's total allowance, so that takes us to 8 outlets.
It should be easy for them to know at what spot on the wall they should feel for the signage. The ADA rule here is that the sign should be mounted between 48 and 60 inches from the floor.
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) limits wall-mounted luminaires to four inches in depth when located between 27 inches and 84 inches from the finished floor level of walks, halls, corridors, passageways, or aisles. Many sconces meet this requirement at any mounting height.
Keep 7 feet of clearance from the bottom of the fixture to the floor. If you have an 8-foot ceiling, consider a low-profile flushmount to achieve the clearance and general lighting requirements for the room. In an open foyer or hallway, hang chandeliers or pendants with the bottom at least 6″ higher than the door.
Pendant Lights Over Island Height
Similar to dining room light fixtures, pendant lighting over a kitchen island should be at least 30 inches from the surface of the countertop. Another measurement to take into account is that there should be approximately 72 inches between the bottom of the light fixture and the floor.
Pro Tip: Follow this general rule of thumb for determining the right fixture size; Add up the length and width of your room or designated dining area in feet, then convert that total into inches. It's also recommended that the dimensions of the fixture should be approximately one-third of the width of the dining table.