During our previous blog post, we examined what an Elevator Company would have to do just to ensure ADA compliance with calling the elevator car. In this entry, the car has arrived due to our legally compliant call and the lanterns have lit up and chimed appropriately. Now, what are some of the things the modernizing elevator company must do to ensure the interior of the car is ADA compliant?

Door Opening and Reopening. ADA compliant elevator doors must open and close automatically and this is nothing new. What is different is that the Door reopening device may no longer be triggered by impact, it must be an optical beam or equivalent non contact sensor that triggers at heights of 5” and 29” above the finish Floor. The door must hold open for at least 20 seconds per interval. Door call car hold acceptable minimums before car travel resumes must be worked out by an industry standard formula. The minimum opening time for a car door is set at three seconds.

Once Inside The Car. . . .

We previously outlined the general minimum dimensions for a car to be wheelchair accessible. The maximum gap between the landing floor and the car’s threshold is 1.25 inches so that canes and other assistive walking aids don’t become entrapped.

The general car must meet minimum American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) illumination standards, as must the threshold, the control panel, and the landing.

Once again, the car control buttons must be at least 3/4 inch in diameter. All controls have to be marked to the left by raised Braille and standard letters and numerals. A raised star must indicate the ground floor. A raised octagon must indicate the emergency stop button.

The emergency buttons can be mounted no less than 35” above the finish floor. The tallest buttons in the panel cannot exceed 54” from the floor for side approach and 48” for front approach control panels.

The visual car position indicator has to be above the car control panel. As the car passes or stops at a floor the corresponding ½ inch illuminated numerals must post, accompanied by an audible cue of at least 20 decibels. A spoken word indicator can replace the audible chime requirement. 

Contact Applied Elevator of Denver 

We are an independent elevator company that can successfully modernize whatever system you have for ADA compliance, as well as to create a modern, efficient convenience system in your commercial building. For a free phone consultation, or to learn more about what we offer, contact us.

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