11B-308 Reach ranges

11B-308.1 General.

Reach ranges shall comply with Section 11B-308.

Advisory 11B-308.1 General. The following table provides guidance on reach ranges for children according to age where building elements such as coat hooks, lockers, or operable parts are designed for use primarily by children. These dimensions apply to either forward or side reaches. Accessible elements and operable parts designed for adult use or children over age 12 can be located outside these ranges but must be within the adult reach ranges required by Section 11B-308. ◼

Children's Reach Ranges
Forward or Side Reach	Ages 3 and 4	Ages 5 through 8	Ages 9 through 12
High (maximum)	36 in (915 mm)	40 in (1015 mm)	44 in (1120 mm)
Low (minimum)	20 in (510 mm)	18 in (455 mm)	16 in (405 mm)

11B-308.1.1 Electrical switches.

Controls and switches intended to be used by the occupant of a room or area to control lighting and receptacle outlets, appliances or cooling, heating and ventilating equipment, shall comply with Section 11B-308 except the low reach shall be measured to the bottom of the outlet box and the high reach shall be measured to the top of the outlet box.

11B-308.1.2 Electrical receptacle outlets.

Electrical receptacle outlets on branch circuits of 30 amperes or less and communication system receptacles shall comply with Section 11B-308 except the low reach shall be measured to the bottom of the outlet box and the high reach shall be measured to the top of the outlet box.

11B-308.2 Forward reach

11B-308.2.1 Unobstructed.

Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be 15 inches (381 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.

A side view is shown of a person suing a wheelchair reaching toward a wall. The lowest vertical reach point is 15 inches minimum and the highest is 48 inches maximum.

FIGURE 11B-308.2.1 UNOBSTRUCTED FORWARD REACH

11B-308.2.2 Obstructed high reach.

Where a high forward reach is over an obstruction, the clear floor space shall extend beneath the element for a distance not less than the required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) maximum where the reach depth is 20 inches (508 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 20 inches (508 mm), the high forward reach shall be 44 inches (1118 mm) maximum and the reach depth shall be 25 inches (635 mm) maximum.

two sketches, side by side; the left one is labeled as A and the right one is B; Figure (a) shows a person seated in a wheelchair reaching a point on a wall above a protrusion, such as a wall-mounted counter, which is 20 inches deep maximum. The maximum reach height is 48 inches. In figure (b), the obstruction is more than 20 inches deep, with 25 inches the maximum depth. The maximum reach height is 44 inches.

FIGURE 11B-308.2.2 OBSTRUCTED HIGH FORWARD REACH

11B-308.3 Side reach

11B-308.3.1 Unobstructed.

Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the side reach is unobstructed, the high side reach shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches (381 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.

Exceptions:

An obstruction shall be permitted between the clear floor or ground space and the element where the depth of the obstruction is 10 inches (254 mm) maximum.
Operable parts of fuel dispensers shall be permitted to be 54 inches (1372 mm) maximum measured from the surface of the vehicular way where fuel dispensers are installed on existing curbs.

The drawing shows a frontal view of a person using a wheelchair making a side reach to a wall. The depth of reach is 10 inches maximum. The vertical reach range is 15 inches minimum to 48 inches maximum.

FIGURE 11B-308.3.1 UNOBSTRUCTED SIDE REACH

11B-308.3.2 Obstructed high reach.

Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the high side reach is over an obstruction, the height of the obstruction shall be 34 inches (864 mm) maximum and the depth of the obstruction shall be 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. The high side reach shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 10 inches (254 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 10 inches (254 mm), the high side reach shall be 46 inches (1168 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum.

Exceptions:

The top of washing machines and clothes dryers shall be permitted to be 36 inches (914 mm) maximum above the finish floor.
Operable parts of fuel dispensers shall be permitted to be 54 inches (1372 mm) maximum measured from the surface of the vehicular way where fuel dispensers are installed on existing curbs.

two sketches, side by side, with the left one labeled as A and the right one as B; Figure (a) shows a person seated in a wheelchair reaching a point on a wall above a protrusion, such as a wall-mounted counter, which is 20 inches deep maximum. The maximum reach height is 48 inches. In figure (b), the obstruction is more than 20 inches deep, with 25 inches the maximum depth. The maximum reach height is 44 inches.

FIGURE 11B-308.3.2 OBSTRUCTED HIGH SIDE REACH

11B-308.4 Suggested reach ranges for children.

Where building elements such as coat hooks, lockers, or operable parts are designed for use primarily by children, the suggested dimensions of Table 11B-308.4 shall be permitted. These dimensions apply to either forward or side reaches.

TABLE 11B-308.4 SUGGESTED DIMENSIONS FOR CHILDREN'S USE

*SUGGESTED REACH RANGES FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 THROUGH 12*
*Forward or Side Reach*	*Ages 3 and 4*	*Ages 5 through 8*	*Ages 9 through 12*
High (maximum)	36 inches (914 mm)	40 inches (1016 mm)	44 inches (1118 mm)
Low (minimum)	20 inches (508 mm)	18 inches (457 mm)	16 inches (406 mm)

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2019 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2020 with July 1, 2021 amendments)