ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Commercial Mailboxes

Standard 4C Horizontal Mailboxes

ADA Compliance Guidelines for 4C Horizontal Mailboxes

With high-security designs and quality construction, Salsbury’s USPS approved 4C horizontal mailboxes will provide years of maintenance free service.

Purpose of this document –  This document provides guidance for architects, designers, and contractors on the selection and installation of Salsbury 4C horizontal mailbox units to ensure compliance with ADA accessibility requirements for wheelchair reach ranges. The mounting height of the mailbox units above the finished floor (AFF) determines the number of tenant compartments that meet these accessibility standards.

Note –  All 6-door-high and 10-door-high Salsbury 4C horizontal standard configurations comply with ADA reach requirements for all mailbox and parcel locker compartments when installed at the heights specified in the installation details below. Additionally, other Salsbury 4C horizontal mailbox configurations include tenant compartments that meet these accessibility requirements. The applicable sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) addressing clear floor space and reach-range dimensions for 4C horizontal mailboxes are outlined below.

  • Figure 1

    ADA_Figure_1_Front_Reach.jpg

    Forward Reach Requirement

    Forward reach from a wheelchair is covered in Section 308.2.1 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design published by the U.S. Department of Justice (September 15, 2010). It states: “Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.” See Figure 1.

    The 48” maximum high forward reach is also found in the USPS requirements where at least one tenant mailbox must be located less than 48” above the finished floor. The 15” lower limit is also found in the USPS requirements as the lowest position above the finished floor for the shelf surface of a parcel locker.

  • Figure 2

    ADA_Figure_2_Side_Reach.jpg

    Side Reach Requirement

    Side reach from a wheelchair is covered in Section 308.3.1 of the same document. It states: “Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the side reach is unobstructed, the high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.” See Figure 2.

    The 48” maximum high side reach is also found in the USPS requirements where at least one tenant mailbox must be located less than 48” above the finished floor. The 15” lower limit is also found in the USPS requirements as the lowest position above the finished floor for the shelf surface of a parcel locker.

USPS Regulations for 4C Horizontal Mailboxes

Mailbox units must be installed in accordance with USPS-STD-4C requirements, as outlined below and illustrated in the accompanying installation details:

  1. At least one customer compartment must be located with its highest operable part no more than 48 inches above the finished floor.
  2. No parcel locker compartment, measured to the interior bottom shelf, may be installed less than 15 inches above the finished floor.
  3. No patron lock may be positioned more than 67 inches above the finished floor.
  4. No customer compartment, measured to the interior bottom shelf, may be installed less than 28 inches above the finished floor.
  5. The USPS Arrow lock must be installed between 36 inches and 48 inches above the finished floor.
  6. For installations containing five or more patron mailboxes, at least one parcel locker must be provided for every five patron mailboxes. Parcel lockers are not required in installations with fewer than five patron mailboxes; however, the inclusion of one or more parcel lockers is recommended.

ADA Accessibility Standards

The ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Appendix A to Part 36, Section 4.2: Space Allowance and Reach Ranges, establish the accessibility requirements governing clear floor space and reach ranges applicable to mailbox installations. These standards can be found at:

https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/2010-stds/

Key Improvements

  • Improved sentence flow and consistency.
  • Replaced repetitive "shall be positioned" language with clearer, more direct wording.
  • Standardized height references and terminology.
  • Added headings to better separate USPS installation requirements from ADA accessibility requirements.
  • Clarified parcel locker requirements while preserving the original meaning.

ADA Standards Accessible Design, ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES Appendix A to Part 36 - Section 4.2 Space Allowance and Reach Ranges. https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/2010-stds/

Standards Governing the Design of Wall-Mounted Centralized Mail Receptacles.  Federal Register / Vol.69, No. 171 / September 3, 2004 / Rules and Regulations POSTAL SERVICE, 39 CFR Part 111.

www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2004-09-03/pdf/04-19781.pdf

ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Department of Justice Code of Federal Regulations, Title III regulations at 28 CFR part 36, subpart D, and the 2004 ADAAG at 36 CFR part 1191, appendices B and D.  These governing 2010 Standards state the unobstructed reach range maximum is 48” and also specifies that 5% of all interior mailboxes be compliant (Sec. 3:88).

www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm

Notes:

All STD-4C compliant mailboxes must meet the U.S. Postal Service’s design and installation regulations in order to receive the “USPS Approved” designation.  Accessibility regulations may vary locally and regionally.  Therefore, always consult local building codes for applicable accessibility requirements related to your mailbox project.

Sequential numbering (e.g.: 1-300) of mailbox compartments may allow greater flexibility in providing accessible mailbox compartments that meet accessbility regulations. Sequential numbering also provides greater security and privacy for residents.

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