DASMA TDS 384 - Wall Button Mounting Height: ADA and UL 325 Requirements

The height at which a garage door wall button is mounted affects who can reach it and whether it meets code. DASMA TDS 384 sets the specific mounting height range that satisfies both UL 325 and ADA accessibility requirements.

What this data sheet says

DASMA TDS 384 establishes the required mounting height for garage door operator wall control buttons. It references two governing documents: ANSI/CAN/UL 325 (the safety standard for door operators) and ADA Accessibility Guidelines (specifically the reach range requirements for operable controls).

"Wall control buttons for residential garage door operators shall be mounted between 48 inches minimum and 64 inches maximum above the finished floor, and must be located where the door can be seen from the button."

Key requirements from TDS 384:

• Height range: 48 inches minimum to 64 inches maximum above the finished floor. This range is chosen to satisfy both the ADA forward-reach maximum (48 inches for a high reach, lower for obstructed reach situations) and the UL 325 requirement that the button be accessible to an adult in a standing position.
• Visibility requirement: UL 325 requires that the person operating the wall button have a clear line of sight to the door. This prevents someone from closing the door onto a person or object they cannot see. The button must not be located around a corner or in a position where the door opening is not visible.
• Interior location: the wall button must be mounted inside the garage, not outside, to prevent remote operation of the door from outside the building without the owner's direct supervision.

The TDS notes that in new residential construction with ADA compliance requirements (such as Type A or Type B units under the Fair Housing Act), the 48-inch maximum reach height governs if the button is approached from a wheelchair.

When it applies

TDS 384 applies to every residential garage door operator installation. It is most commonly consulted during:

New construction or operator replacement. The installer selects the wall button location, and TDS 384 provides the height range and visibility criterion to follow.

ADA-compliance projects. Homeowners modifying a garage for accessibility, or builders constructing Fair Housing Act-compliant dwelling units, use TDS 384 to confirm that the wall control meets reach range requirements for wheelchair users.

In Denver, the 2025 Denver Building Code aligns with the 2024 IRC and Fair Housing Act requirements for accessible dwelling units. Multi-family residential projects in Denver must comply with Fair Housing Act technical standards for accessible units, and TDS 384 is a direct reference for the garage door control requirement in those units.

What this means for you

Check your current wall button height. Measure from the finished floor to the center of the button. If it is below 48 inches, it is too low under UL 325 guidelines. If it is above 64 inches, it is too high and may be unreachable for shorter adults or wheelchair users.

Verify line of sight. Stand at the wall button and look toward the door opening. If you cannot see the full door opening, the button needs to be relocated to a position with clear sightlines.

For ADA-sensitive projects, measure the approach clearance. If a wheelchair user approaches the button from the side or front, the maximum reach height may be lower than 48 inches depending on the depth of any obstruction in front of the button. Consult the ADA reach range tables for the specific approach condition.

G Brothers installs wall buttons at the correct height and location on every operator installation. For accessibility projects in the Denver metro area and Front Range, we can consult on compliant placement.

Full text and source

Download DASMA TDS 384 from the official TDS index at https://www.dasma.com/technical-data-sheets/.

This entry covers wall control button mounting for residential garage door operators. Commercial facility requirements under ADA Title III and the ADA Standards for Accessible Design may impose additional requirements beyond those addressed in TDS 384.