Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) GUIDELINES (AS OF JULY 2013)

AED wall cabinets should be mounted to comply with the ADA Guidelines.  Semi-recessed cabinets are the best choice.  

Projection Requirements

The federal regulations for ADA Standards for Accessible Design Section: Protruding Objects Section (28 CFR 36, 4.4.1) specify that “objects projecting from walls with their leading edges between 27” and 80” (685 mm and 2030 mm) above the finished floor (AFF) shall protrude no more than 4” (100mm) into walks, halls, corridors, passageways, or aisles. Please note that a surface-mounted cabinet installed in such a way that any part of it falls between 27” and 80” AAF would not meet ADA requirements. 

Mounting Heights The NFPA and ADA have created guidelines for the mounting of cabinets and extinguishers to provide safety and/or easy access to the equipment. ADA guidelines specify reach ranges for building occupants who require access to equipment such as fire extinguishers and other fire safety devices. According to the ADA Standards (28 CFR 36, 4.2.5 and 4.2.6 neither the extinguisher handle nor the cabinet handle can be mounted higher than 48” AFF for applications which allow for only a forward approach in a wheelchair to the object; and, no higher than 54” AFF, or those applications which allow for a parallel aproach.

It should be noted that these restrictions also fall within the current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines, which call for a maximum mounting height of 60” AFF to the top of the extinguisher. 

These are national standards which are subject to change by local authorities having jurisdiction. ADA requirements, in particular, are constantly evolving through ongoing legislative and judicial actions.

For more information: http://www.ada.gov