Wheelchair Lift Codes
Wheelchair Lifts must conform to federal and state codes and regulations as well as wheelchair lift industry standards. Many of the codes and standards for wheelchair lifts are copyrighted material and may not be directly reproduced. Some code sections are outlined for illustration but should not be used for wheelchair lift compliance purposes.
FEDERAL CODES AND REGULATIONS
The U.S. Federal Government has several accessibility laws. Since passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the U.S. Access Board is tasked with developing ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). These guidelines are used to draft regulations that various agencies use to enforce aspects of the Americans with Disability Act. The U.S. Department of Justice published their regulations in 1994 and revised in 2010.
The ADA allows platform or vertical wheelchair lifts as part of an accessible route and describes their use in ADAAG Section 4.11.
The ADA does not prescribe document review or inspections to ensure compliance to the ADAAG. Enforcement is carried out through a Complaint Investigation process after the building is occupied.
More information about this topic may be found:
THE US ACCESS BOARD
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
STATE CODES AND REGULATIONS
Most U.S. States have elevator regulations that determine what operational and safety features the unit must have as well as how it will be tested and maintained. The ASME A17.1 & A18.1 standards define most of these regulations. State and local building codes help regulate the location of the unit and the placement of controls. Generally, they are a variation of the IBC (International Building Code) and the ANSI A117.1 standard (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities). The IBC dictates where a platform lift can be used. The ANSI defines how lifts must be constructed including the width of doors and the height of guards.
Each state has its own codes and regulations. Compliance responsibility often falls to the design professional, dealer, or installer. Butler Lifts are certified to the applicable ASME and ANSI standards for maximum compliance.
More information about these topics may be found:
Insert the two-letter abbreviation to search the state website for “Elevator Regulations”.
www.state.XX.us
Contact information for each state’s access code is provided in this listing.
State Code Contact List