REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBLE REACH RANGES

Reach ranges are a basic building block in the accessibility code.  They are used throughout to determine the height of elements.  Below is a list of elements where reach ranges are specified in the code.  Review each element in the code as some have special considerations or exceptions.

  1. Coat Hooks and Shelves

  2. Elevator Call Buttons, Keypads, Controls & Emergency Communication

  3. Food Service Lines

  4. Fuel Dispensers

  5. Lockers

  6. Operable Parts

  7. Self-Service Shelving & Dispensing Devices

  8. Soap Dispensers

  9. Storage

  10. Telephone TTYs

  11. Towel Dispensers

  12. Washing Machines

Accessibility Standards Requires:

308.2.1 Forward Reach - Unobstructed. 

  • Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach must be 48" max & the low forward reach shall be 15" min above the finish floor or ground. Refer to Figure A.

ADA Accessible Forward Reach Range Unobstructed

Figure A - Forward Reach - Unobstructed

308.2.2 Forward Reach - Obstructed.

  • Where a high forward reach is over an obstruction, the clear floor space must extend beneath the element for a distance not less than the required reach depth over the obstruction.

  • The high forward reach shall be 48" max where the reach depth is 20" max. Refer to Figure B.

  • Where the reach depth exceeds 20", the high forward reach shall be 44" max & the reach depth shall be 25" max. Refer to Figure C.

ADA Accessible Forward Reach Range Obstructed

Figure B - Forward Reach - Obstructed

ADA Accessible Forward Reach Range Obstructed

Figure C - Forward Reach - Obstructed

308.3.1 Side Reach - Unobstructed.

  • Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element & the side reach is unobstructed, the high side reach shall be 48" max & the low side reach shall be 15" min above the finish floor or ground. Refer to Figure D.

ADA Accessible Side Reach Range Unobstructed

Figure D - Side Reach - Unobstructed

308.3.2 Side Reach - Obstructed.

  • Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element & the high side reach is over an obstruction, the height of the obstruction shall be 34" max & the depth of the obstruction shall be 24" max. (308.3.2 Obstructed High Reach)

  • The high side reach shall be 48" max for a reach depth of 10" max. Refer to Figure E. (308.3.2 Obstructed High Reach)

  • Where the reach depth exceeds 10", the high side reach shall be 46" max for a reach depth of 24" max. Refer to Figure F. (308.3.2 Obstructed High Reach)

ADA Accessible Side Reach Range Obstructed

Figure E - Side Reach - Obstructed

ADA Accessible Side Reach Range Obstructed

Figure F - Side Reach - Obstructed