11B-308 Reach Ranges — 2025 California Building Code

11B- 308.1 General. Reach ranges shall comply with Section 11B- 308 .

11B-308.1.1 Electrical switches. Controls and switches intended to be used by the occupant of a room or area to control lighting and receptacle outlets, appliances or cooling, heating and ventilating equipment, shall comply with Section 11B-308 except the low reach shall be measured to the bottom of the outlet box and the high reach shall be measured to the top of the outlet box.

11B-308.1.2 Electrical receptacle outlets. Electrical receptacle outlets on branch circuits of 30 amperes or less and communication system receptacles shall comply with Section 11B-308 except the low reach shall be measured to the bottom of the outlet box and the high reach shall be measured to the top of the outlet box.

11B- 308.2 Forward reach.

11B- 308.2.1 Unobstructed. Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 48 inches ( 1219 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be 15 inches ( 381 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.

FIGURE 11B- 308.2.1—UNOBSTRUCTED FORWARD REACH

11B- 308.2.2 Obstructed high reach. Where a high forward reach is over an obstruction, the clear floor space shall extend beneath the element for a distance not less than the required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward reach shall be 48 inches ( 1219 mm) maximum where the reach depth is 20 inches ( 508 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 20 inches ( 508 mm), the high forward reach shall be 44 inches ( 1118 mm) maximum and the reach depth shall be 25 inches (635 mm) maximum.

FIGURE 11B- 308.2.2—OBSTRUCTED HIGH FORWARD REACH

11B- 308.3 Side reach.

11B- 308.3.1 Unobstructed. 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 ( 1219 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches ( 381 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.

Exceptions:

1. An obstruction shall be permitted between the clear floor or ground space and the element where the depth of the obstruction is 10 inches ( 254 mm) maximum.

2. Operable parts of fuel dispensers shall be permitted to be 54 inches ( 1372 mm) maximum measured from the surface of the vehicular way where fuel dispensers are installed on existing curbs.

FIGURE 11B- 308.3.1—UNOBSTRUCTED SIDE REACH

11B- 308.3.2 Obstructed high reach. Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the high side reach is over an obstruction, the height of the obstruction shall be 34 inches ( 864 mm) maximum and the depth of the obstruction shall be 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. The high side reach shall be 48 inches ( 1219 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 10 inches ( 254 mm) maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 10 inches ( 254 mm), the high side reach shall be 46 inches ( 1168 mm) maximum for a reach depth of 24 inches ( 610 mm) maximum.

Exceptions:

1. The top of washing machines and clothes dryers shall be permitted to be 36 inches ( 914 mm) maximum above the finish floor.

2. Operable parts of fuel dispensers shall be permitted to be 54 inches ( 1372 mm) maximum measured from the surface of the vehicular way where fuel dispensers are installed on existing curbs.

FIGURE 11B- 308.3.2—OBSTRUCTED HIGH SIDE REACH

11B- 308.4 Suggested reach ranges for children. Where building elements such as coat hooks, lockers or operable parts are designed for use primarily by children, the suggested dimensions of Table 11B -308.4 shall be permitted. These dimensions apply to either forward or side reaches.