WHAT DOES ADA-COMPLIANT LIGHTING MEAN?
In 1991 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted into law. It is a broad-sweeping piece of legislation for the design and layout of publicly accessible areas to accommodate disabled persons. ADA focus is not lighting, but on the amount of projection allowable for wall mounted fixtures and vertical clearance for hanging lights.
The guidelines for ADA installation specify that a wall mounted piece projects no more than 4-inches from the wall when mounted between 2-feet 4-inches to 6-feet 8-inches above the finished floor. These standards are of vital importance when designing for public spaces and commercial buildings to ensure that hallways, bathrooms and more can be accessed by everyone.
