The primary purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is to prohibit discrimination of individuals based on their disabilities. It’s intended to allow individuals with disabilities equal opportunities and rights as individuals without disabilities. Business owners should speak with a lawyer to find out which ADA requirements apply to them, and improve accessibility as needed by installing elevators in buildings in Salt Lake City. Elevator maintenance is another crucial issue that’s often overlooked, as elevator repairs must be made in order to maintain ADA compliance.

It’s to be expected that elevators will break down from time to time. When this happens, business owners must schedule elevator repairs right away. In the meantime, employees should be available to assist customers with disabilities who have accessibility problems. Business owners are expected to schedule routine elevator maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer, as repeated elevator breakdowns due to improper maintenance could be an ADA violation.

Unless your building is less than three stories tall or has fewer than 3,000 square feet per floor, your elevators must meet guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Failure to comply with ADA elevator accessibility requirements can result in hefty fines and may even be the basis of a discrimination lawsuit. Whether you are planning a new elevator installation or need to renovate an old existing elevator, make sure your elevators are ADA compliant. A commercial elevator installation company in Salt Lake City will make sure your elevators are compliant with all state and federal requirements.

Car Buttons

ADA-compliant elevators must have hall and car buttons mounted at 42 inches. Call buttons must also be a minimum of 0.75 inches in diameter, and ADA regulations call for certain illumination levels for all elevator buttons. Additionally, braille plates must be installed next to buttons as well as at the entrance jambs.

Cab Room

The inside of the elevator must be large enough to accommodate a wheelchair and allow a wheelchair to complete a 360-degree turn. The U.S. Access Board can provide you with specific elevator cab dimensions, as can a commercial elevator installer in Salt Lake City that is familiar with ADA regulations.

Handrails

ADA-compliant elevators must also have handrails located at specific heights. Again, the U.S. Access Board or your elevator installer can provide you with specific dimensions for handrail height requirements. Your elevator installer can also help you select handrails that meet ADA regulations and also add a stylish look and feel to the inside of your elevator, if that’s something that you are concerned with.

Reopening Devices

Another ADA requirements of certain elevators is that reopening devices activate without physical contact. A commercial elevator installer can retrofit your existing elevator with an appropriate reopening device, or make sure that your new elevator features an ADA-compliant reopening device to make sure your elevator meets federal guidelines.