ADA Fire Alarm Mounting Requirements

Fire alarm's must be accessible by anyone.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a body of legislation that ensures that those with physical disabilities have equal access to services. One of the issues that the ADA often worries about regarding fire alarms is the fire alarm's accessibility to the handicapped. In the event of a fire, the disabled must be able to activate the fire alarm to allow for the evacuation of the building and the notification of the fire department. For fire alarm systems to be effective, almost anyone should be able to activate the alarm switches.

No Obstructions

The floor space for the fire alarm must be completely unobstructed -- with no plants or other objects in the way -- so that those with wheelchairs can get to the fire alarm. Those who notice an object placed nearby the fire alarm should move that object.

So that the maximum number of individuals can reach the fire alarm, the alarm must be at least 15 inches high and no more than 48 inches high. Fire alarms must not be too low because some who are handicapped might not be able to stoop to activate the alarm.

The fire alarm must not require more than 5 lbs. of force to activate the fire alarm since some individuals might not have the strength to activate the alarm. The alarm must also not force the disabled to pinch the alarm, grasp it or twist the wrist. The individual operating the fire alarm must be able to activate it with only one hand.

Fire alarms must be located throughout the building that has the fire alarm system so that occupants of the building do not need to rush to a fire alarm in the distance. The travel distance between fire alarms must not be more than 200 feet.

Fire alarm systems or call buttons must be available on all elevators. Fires can cause elevator systems to malfunction and elevators are often the primary way in which the disabled travel through many buildings, since stairs are strenuous and almost impossible to travel up with in a wheelchair. The call buttons allow the fire department to communicate with the occupants of the elevator so that the firefighters can more easily save the occupant. Buildings should have emergency call systems nearby the alarm systems so that those who cannot use the stairs or elevator can travel to a part of the building where the fire department can rescue the individuals.

Alarm systems must have braille so that those with visual impairments can identify an alarm. This braille must be at a level that the individual can reach with his or her fingers.