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QUESTION: When and in what situations, must wall switches and circuit
breakers used to control lighting, be installed to the height requirements
for disabled access?
DETERMINATION: In facilities, or portions thereof, required to be accessible
to persons with disabilities, staff advises that the following provisions
are applicable:
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Wall switches used to control lighting must comply with the height
requirements of OSSC Section 1109.3.2.
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Circuit breakers in panelboards used to control lighting, in lieu
of wall switches, must comply with the height requirements of OSSC
Section 1109.3.2.
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All other fuse/circuit breakers are not required to meet the height
requirements, except fuse/circuit breakers in dwelling units of apartments
required to be adaptable.
ANALYSIS: The determinations above result from staff review and analysis
of OSSC Chapter 11, as follows:
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OSSC Section 1106.1 requires that affected buildings and covered
multifamily dwellings be accessible as provided in Chapter 11, with
certain occupancy specific requirements and exceptions. Section 1106.1.10.2
specifically requires adaptable dwelling units in apartments.
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OSSC Section 1108.4.8 requires that controls, including switches
that control lighting, in accessible spaces, along accessible routes
and as part of accessible elements, shall comply with 1109.3. However,
floors or portions of floors not customarily occupied are not required
to comply with 1108.4.8. Examples of unoccupiable spaces follow that
exception. In the 1993 OSSC, this section [3108(d)8] specifically
exempted main electrical panels. Staff believe that the current code
still implies that main electrical panels, including fuse/circuit
breakers, are not required to be accessible. They can be considered
portions of floors not customarily occupied.
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OSSC 1110.9 requires that electrical switches and fuse/circuit breakers
be accessible when installed in adaptable dwelling units.
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