36 CFR Part 1194 - Proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines NPRM - Preamble

407.12.2.1 Unobstructed Side Reach (Section-by-Section Analysis)

This section proposes that, where the operable part is located 10 inches or less behind the vertical reference plane, the operable part must be 48 inches high maximum and 15 inches high minimum above the floor. Although existing 508 Standards § 1194.25 (j)(2) permits a maximum reach height of 54 inches, it contains the same minimum height (15 inches) and 10-inch reach depth. The proposed lowering of the maximum height for unobstructed side reach (i.e., from 54 inches in the existing 508 Standards to 48 inches in this proposed rule) reflects a similar change in 2004 to the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines. See 36 CFR Part 1191, Appendix D, section 308.3. This proposed maximum height is also consistent with accessible reaches specified in the 1998 edition, as well as two subsequent editions, of the ICC A117.1.