You may contact Arundel Elevator by phone at 410-766-2100 or by email and we will arrange a visit by one of our service representatives. Your Arundel service representative will answer all of your ADA questions; and, with your permission, perform a thorough ADA elevator survey. Your Arundel service representative will then create with you a plan to bring your elevators into ADA compliance. You may also print out our ADA Checklist to make your own preliminary survey prior to our visit.Click Here To View Our ADA Survey Sheet.

Arundel Elevator can bring your vertical transportation equipment into ADA Compliance. Here are some of the most common questions concerning ADA and its guidelines and application:

With the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act in July of 1990, the United States Congress has enacted Civil Rights Legislation that ensures greater accessibility for the more than 45 million disabled Americans. This has created serious implications for building owners and other businesses.

It affects your business in several ways:

1. New Construction: A new building should be designed and built with ADA in mind for all aspects of accessibility for the handicapped.
2. Renovations or Alterations: Whenever such changes or additions are contemplated or panned, ADA requirements should be included in all renovations or alterations.
3. Existing Buildings: Your present workplace should be surveyed with the goal of improving access for disabled visitors and disabled employees. A plan should be created and implemented to improve accessibility by all reasonable means for the handicapped.

The answer is yes if your building falls under one or more of the following classifications:

1. Any building that presently is used or occupied by a disabled person: If the designer of a new structure or the owner of an existing structure is aware that one or more disabled persons will be regularly living in or visiting the building, it should be designed or modified to suit the accessibility needs of the handicapped.
   
2. Public Entities: Any building for public use such as; railroad stations, bus terminals, airports, State and local government facilities, etc.
   
3. Place of Public Accommodation: Any building that is designed to house or accommodate the public such as: hospitals, day care centers, health spas, public transportation facilities, hotels, theaters, restaurants, stores, etc.
   
4. Commercial Facilities: Warehouses, manufacturing facilities, office buildings, etc.

All of these requirements have been effective since 1993.

Yes, consult your architect or legal advisor for all interpretations and applications to your specific application.

Public accommodations and commercial facilities are subject to "The Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines."

No, at present, there is no State or local authority in Maryland enforcing ADA guidelines. However, there is the potential of enforcement through civil courts by anyone who feels they have been discriminated against.

We at Arundel Elevator suggest that you consult your legal advisor and your architect to see if this guideline applies to your specific application. If so, we at Arundel Elevator can survey your existing elevator plant and make suggestions as to what can be done to bring your elevators into compliance with ADA guidelines. After we survey your elevator(s), we will be happy to provide you with appropriate proposals. You may then make a plan to upgrade your elevator system bringing it into ADA compliance.

The specifics include:

1. Leveling: Your elevator must be able to level at the floor with an accuracy of (+ or -) 1/4 inch. This minimizes any ripping hazard, especially for the sight impaired. It also improves wheelchair access.
   
2. Braille & Raised Characters: For the sight impaired, all car and hall push buttons and controls must be identified with tactile type Braille and raised characters. Additionally, all elevator entrances must also be similarly marked.
   
3. Properly Locate Car & Hall Controls: All car buttons and controls and all hall buttons must be located at specified heights in order to provide accessibility to the disabled, including passengers in wheel chairs.
   
4. Audible Signals: An audible signal (usually a gong or an automated voice) must be provided to furnish the sight impaired with information regarding car direction, car location, and door status.
   
5. Door Opening Time and Door Protection: Doors must be programmed to allow proper opening and closing times for the disabled and still provide efficient elevator operation. Door protection must be provided to minimize or eliminate the consequences of impact with a closing door and an elevator passenger.
   
6. Emergency Communications: Means must be provided for communication for the disabled to summon assistance while in the elevator during entrapment.

Yes, we have the necessary products and experience to provide ADA compliance. We can offer you several options for:

• Providing Proper Leveling
• Installing Braille Plates
• Installing Audible Signals
• Providing Properly Located Buttons, Controls, and Signals
• Providing Emergency Communications for the disabled including wheel chair passengers, sight impaired passengers, passengers who cannot speak, and hearing impaired passengers.