The accessibility standards do not require doors to have vision lights, although there are other code requirements that mandate vision lights in certain instances. When a vision light is provided in a door or sidelight that is part of an accessible route, the light must be mounted at a height where it can be used by all building occupants – including those using a wheelchair. If a door opening has multiple vision lights or sidelights, only one light must be located at the height prescribed by the accessibility standards.
The photos below show an existing vision light (left) that is not compliant with the current accessibility requirements for the vision light location, and an edited version (right) showing an acceptable height. Care must be taken to avoid light/lock conflicts.
The required location of door viewers, or peepholes, is not specified in the accessibility standards but may be addressed by state or local accessibility requirements.
For additional information about the required location of vision lights and viewers, read this Decoded article, and then proceed to the review questions below.
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Review Questions
1. According to the accessibility standards, which is an acceptable location for a vision light?
- 60 inches from the floor to the center of the light
- 43 inches from the bottom of the door to the bottom of the light
- 48 inches from the bottom of the door to the center of the light
- 43 inches from the floor to the bottom of the light
2. Lights installed above what height are exempt from the requirements for mounting location because they are not used for viewing?
- 48 inches
- 60 inches
- 66 inches
- 80 inches
3. Viewers in dwelling unit entrance doors are required to be mounted how high above the floor?
- 48 inches and 60 inches
- 42 inches and 48 inches
- 43 inches and 52 inches
- As required by the adopted codes and standards
Answers: 1 – D, 2 – C, 3 – D