36 CFR Part 1195 Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment NPRM - Preamble

Clearance in Base (M301.4.1 and M302.4.1)

Clearance in the base of the equipment allows the legs of a portable floor lift to fit under the base of the equipment. The clearance can be an open area between the supporting posts beneath the equipment, or the equipment can be configured with a wide slot that is recessed into the base enclosure. M301.4.1 and M302.4.1 would require the clearance in the base to be 44 inches wide minimum, 6 inches high minimum measured from the floor, and 36 inches deep minimum measured from the edge of the examination surface. Where the width of the examination surface is less than 36 inches, the clearance depth would be required to extend the full width of the equipment. Equipment components are permitted to be located within 8 inches maximum of the centerline of the clearance width.

Question 25. Comments are requested on the following questions regarding the proposed dimensions for clearance in the base of the equipment to allow the use of portable floor lifts:

a) Are the proposed dimensions for clearance in the base sufficient to accommodate the various portable floor lifts used in health care facilities?

b) Do the proposed dimensions exclude certain types of lifts?

c) Should the clearance in the base be configured differently to allow additional flexibility for the use of portable floor lifts and, if so, how should it be configured?