The Americans with Disabilities Act sets specific requirements for elevator accessibility. Whether you are a building owner, property manager, or condo association board member, understanding these requirements protects you from liability and ensures your building serves all residents and visitors.
Call Button Requirements
Hall call buttons must meet these specifications:
- Centered at 42 inches above the floor
- Minimum 3/4 inch diameter
- Visual feedback when pressed (illumination)
- Raised or flush buttons - not recessed
- Tactile symbols (raised) for up and down
Elevator Cab Requirements
Interior Dimensions
- Door opening minimum 36 inches wide
- Cab floor area minimum 51 inches deep by 68 inches wide (for stretchers)
- Alternative: 54 inches deep by 36 inches wide (for wheelchairs)
Control Panel Specifications
- Highest button no more than 48 inches from floor (54 inches for side approach)
- Buttons minimum 3/4 inch diameter with raised characters
- Braille adjacent to each button
- Main entry floor marked with raised star symbol
- Emergency controls grouped at bottom of panel
Handrails
- Required on all walls without door openings
- Mounted 32 to 36 inches above floor
- 1.25 to 1.5 inches in diameter
- 1.5 inches clearance from wall
Signage Requirements
- Floor designations on both door jambs at 60 inches height
- Characters minimum 2 inches high with Braille below
- High contrast between characters and background
- Non-glare finish on signs
Audio and Visual Signals
- Hall lanterns visible from call button location
- Audible signals: one tone for up, two tones for down
- Verbal annunciation of floors for visually impaired passengers
- Emergency communication must work for hearing impaired (visual confirmation)
Door Operation
- Doors must remain open minimum 3 seconds
- Reopening device must detect objects without requiring contact
- Door sensors should detect objects from 5 to 29 inches from floor
- Closing speed not more than 1 foot per second
Two-Way Communication
- Emergency intercom must not require handset
- Controls within reach of wheelchair user
- Visual signal to confirm call was received (for deaf users)
Common Compliance Issues We Find
During our inspections, we frequently identify:
- Worn Braille that is no longer readable
- Buttons placed too high after cab renovations
- Missing audible floor announcements
- Door sensors that require physical contact to reopen
- Emergency phones that do not work for hearing impaired
How Brouss Can Help
We perform comprehensive ADA compliance assessments and can upgrade your elevator to meet current standards. Our modernization team specializes in bringing older elevators into compliance while minimizing disruption to your building.
Need an ADA compliance assessment? Call Brouss at 786.308.9128. We will evaluate your elevator and provide a clear path to full compliance.
