Recommendations on Standards for the Design of Medical Diagnostic Equipment for Adults with Disabilities, Advisory Committee Final Report

5.4.7 Transfer Support Gripping Surface Clearance Recommendation for M301 and M302

Description: A clearance around the gripping surface is necessary to ensure sufficient space for a person to grasp the transfer support. This clearance would allow the fingers and knuckles to clear adjacent equipment parts as they grip the support. This clearance location is around the cross section of the gripping surface (see Figure 5.4.7).

NPRM Proposed Provision: Gripping surface clearance not addressed.

NPRM Preamble Discussion: The Access Board is considering whether 1½ inches minimum clearance around the gripping surface would be appropriate for transfer supports on diagnostic equipment used by patients in a supine, prone, or side-lying position, and diagnostic equipment used by patients in a seated position.

The Committee recommends following the Access Board’s proposal in the preamble discussion allowing a 1½-inch clearance.

Rationale for the recommendation

As above, this provision is based on precedent of 2010 Standards and International Building Code Requirements (ICC/ANSI A117.1). The Committee found no reason to change this requirement for MDE.

Figure 5.4.7 Gripping Surface Clearance
(SOURCE: U.S. Access Board)