Card Reader/ Door Intercom Mounting Heights?

Our company standard is 59 inches (bottom of devices) from finished floor. This is for intercoms (video), touchpanels, music keypads, security keypads, access reades, e.t.c

Lighting keypads are installed at 47 inches.

It is a constant battle with customers, architects and interior designers that want everything much lower.

No codes here.

Brian,

thanks, your answer is very interesting for me as well. 70% of the projects we do are luxury residences, so for us the most important thing is usability and convenience for the customer.

In the commercial projects I have to check what we do exactly but you are right wheelchair access is a big subject and very important. 54 inches isnt quite low though for non-wheelchair people? e.g security keypad? how can you read the LCD? or video intercom monitor? or engraving on lighting keypad? touchpanel is really low at 54 inches. I am not arguing or anything, there is no ideal solution on this and it can be a big problem. I think the problem arises from the fact that 54 inches was set based on simple lighting switches that just requires a tab so at 54 it is fine - the problem is that now you have other much more complicated devies like the ones I mentioned that require interaction and you have to read something on them and 54 inches is not ideal for this - it seems the standard has to be reviewed and account for this but is there an intermediate solution? When we are free and allowed to do what we want the heights I mentioned in my first post work really work.

We specify that the card reader be at the same height as the knob or lever on the door that that it is controlling. This is typically 36" above the floor in the US, although it can sometimes be a little higher. Intercom stations are always specified to be at 48".

15" - 48" per ADA.gov

I go with 36" to center. Same as most door knobs/handles.

Department of Justice ADA Title III Regulation 28 CFR Part 36 (1991)

4.2.5* Forward Reach. If the clear floor space only allows forward approach to an object, the maximum high forward reach allowed shall be 48 in (1220 mm) (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 5(a)). The minimum low forward reach is 15 in (380 mm). If the high forward reach is over an obstruction, reach and clearances shall be as shown in Fig. 5(b).

4.2.6* Side Reach. If the clear floor space allows parallel approach by a person in a wheelchair, the maximum high side reach allowed shall be 54 in (1370 mm) and the low side reach shall be no less than 9 in (230 mm) above the floor (Fig 6, Fig. 6(a) and Fig (b)). If the side reach is over an obstruction, the reach and clearances shall be as shown in Fig 6(c).

(37) Side Reach

ABRA 6.19. ADAAG 205.1; 228.1-2; 308.3; 309.3.Compared to the current requirement, the revised side reach requirement will have a lower maximum (48" instead of the current 54") and higher minimum (15" instead of 9"). The requirement will apply to operable parts on accessible elements located on accessible routes, and to elements in accessible rooms and spaces. Elements and operable parts and controls that could be affected by the revised side reach requirements include: electrical outlets; thermostats; fire-alarm pull stations; card readers; keypads; coat hooks; window control hardware; paper towel dispensers and hand dryers in toilet rooms; ATMs; and at least one in each group of depositories, vending machines, change machines, and gas pumps (with a specified exception). (Elements may comply with either the side or forward reach requirement.)

Noticed the photos with readers on the ground. A common problem with car park readers are damage caused by motor vehicles etc. Problem solved by using rear axle springs from motor vehicles. Welded on a steel plate.The one in the photos is about 10 years old, no repaint, no damage.Not recommended for very windy areas.