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FAQ / ERA Products / Is the ERA-DCKIT Wireless Doorbell ADA Compliant?
Last Updated: March 3, 2026
Accessibility & ADA

Is the ERA-DCKIT Wireless Doorbell System ADA Compliant?

Last updated: February 2026  ·  Applies to: ERA-DCKIT, ERA-RXPG
Short Answer

Yes — the ERA-DCKIT is designed to meet ADA visual notification requirements for doorbell applications in accessible residential dwelling units. Its strobe flash rate, viewing angle, and visual output align with ADA Standards for Accessible Design and ICC A117.1 guidelines for doorbell notification. It is not a fire alarm system and does not substitute for fire/emergency strobe notification.

What the ADA Requires for Doorbell Notification

The Americans with Disabilities Act, along with ICC A117.1 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities) and the Fair Housing Act, requires that accessible dwelling units provide visual notification for doorbell/visitor alerts so that residents who are deaf or hard of hearing receive equivalent notification to audible-only systems.

For residential doorbell applications, the key requirements center on flash rate and visibility from primary living areas. Unlike fire alarm strobe requirements (which mandate a minimum 75 candela output), residential doorbell standards focus on perceptibility — the signal must be visible from the bedroom, living room, and kitchen.

⚠ Important Distinction Doorbell visual notification requirements differ from fire alarm/emergency notification strobe requirements. The ERA-DCKIT meets doorbell notification standards. It is not a fire alarm device and does not replace fire or emergency strobe systems.

How the ERA-DCKIT Meets ADA Requirements

Below is a full breakdown of the ERA-DCKIT‘s technical specifications compared to applicable ADA and ICC A117.1 doorbell requirements:

Specification ERA-DCKIT / ERA-RXPG Value ADA / ICC Requirement
Flash Rate 2 Hz (2 flashes/second) ✓ Meets 1–3 Hz
Flash Duration 250ms per flash; 10 seconds total per activation Perceptible duration required
Light Color Clear / White LED No color restriction for doorbells
Light Intensity (Candela) ~15.3–15.7 cd at 1 meter No minimum cd specified for doorbells*
Viewing Angle 180° horizontal coverage ✓ Meets Visible from primary living areas
Maximum Visibility Range Clearly visible up to 70 meters Room-level visibility required
Operation Modes Strobe-only, Audible-only, or Combined Visual mode required for accessible units
Receivers per Push Button Unlimited All primary rooms must be covered

* ADA and ICC A117.1 do not specify a minimum candela rating for residential doorbell strobes (unlike fire alarm strobes which require 75 cd minimum). See the section below for full candela testing details.

A Note on Light Intensity (Candela Rating)

Customers sometimes ask whether the ERA-RXPG receiver is “bright enough” for ADA compliance. Here is what the manufacturer’s testing shows and why it matters:

📋 Candela Testing Methodology The ERA-RXPG was tested in a controlled dark room environment at exactly 1 meter distance using a calibrated lumen meter, yielding readings of 15.30–15.70 lux. Because illuminance (lux) equals luminous intensity (candela) at 1 meter — using the formula E(lx) = I(cd) ÷ r² — these lux readings correspond directly to approximately 15.3–15.7 candela.

For context: ADA fire alarm strobes require a minimum of 75 candela. However, residential doorbell visual notification is governed by different standards that do not specify a minimum candela floor. The requirement is perceptibility from primary living areas, and the ERA-RXPG’s 180° viewing angle, 70-meter visibility range, and 2 Hz strobe rate are designed to satisfy that requirement under normal residential room conditions.

💡 Pro Tip for Larger Units For dwelling units larger than 600 sq ft or units with multiple rooms, install additional ERA-RXPG receivers to ensure the strobe is visible from every primary living area. The system supports unlimited receivers per push button — simply plug additional units into wall outlets in each room.

Applicable Compliance Standards

The ERA-DCKIT is designed to assist in meeting doorbell notification requirements under the following standards:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design
  • ICC A117.1 — Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  • Fair Housing Act accessibility guidelines for dwelling units
  • FCC-Certified for wireless radio frequency operation
  • UL-Listed for electrical safety

Recommended Applications

  • Accessible dwelling units in apartments and condominiums
  • Assisted living and senior housing facilities
  • Multi-family housing requiring Fair Housing Act compliance
  • New construction and retrofit accessibility projects
  • Any residential setting requiring visual doorbell notification for deaf or hard-of-hearing residents

Installation Guidance for Compliance

Correct placement of the ERA-RXPG receiver is critical to achieving ADA compliance.

Placement

Plug the ERA-RXPG into a standard wall outlet in a central location visible from the primary living areas. Aim for a clear line of sight to the bedroom, living room, and kitchen wherever the layout allows.

Multi-Room Coverage

For units larger than 600 sq ft or multi-room layouts, add one receiver per room. The system supports unlimited receivers, so there is no ceiling on how many you can deploy from a single push button.

Unit Differentiation in Multi-Family Settings

The ERA-DCKIT includes 12 unique chime melodies, allowing property managers to assign a different tone to each unit so residents can distinguish their own doorbell notification from a neighbor’s.

⚠ Installer Responsibility The specifying architect, designer, or installer is responsible for ensuring proper placement and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local accessibility codes for their specific application and jurisdiction. Requirements may vary beyond the federal ADA baseline.

Shop the ERA-DCKIT System

The ERA-DCKIT is available as a complete kit. Additional or replacement ERA-RXPG receivers are available separately for multi-room coverage:

Complete Kit

ERA-DCKIT Wireless Door Chime Kit

Includes push button transmitter and ERA-RXPG plug-in receiver. Guaranteed to work in your location. View ERA-DCKIT →
Additional / Replacement Receiver

ERA-RXPG Plug-In Door Chime Receiver

4,000 ft range plug-in receiver. Add multiple units for full-room coverage in larger accessible dwelling units. View ERA-RXPG →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the ERA-DCKIT replace a fire alarm strobe?
No. The ERA-DCKIT is a doorbell notification system only. It does not satisfy fire alarm strobe requirements, which require a minimum 75 cd output under NFPA 72. Accessible units requiring fire alarm strobes need a separate, dedicated fire alarm strobe system.
Is 15 candela bright enough to meet ADA requirements?
Yes, for doorbell applications. ADA and ICC A117.1 do not impose a minimum candela rating for residential doorbell strobes — that threshold applies only to fire alarm strobes. The ERA-RXPG’s measured output of approximately 15.3–15.7 cd, combined with its 180° viewing angle and 2 Hz flash rate, meets the perceptibility standard required for accessible doorbell notification in residential settings.
How many receivers do I need for a two-bedroom apartment?
For a two-bedroom unit, we recommend at minimum two receivers — one in the main living area and one in the bedroom — to ensure the strobe is visible from all primary living areas as required. The system supports unlimited receivers per push button, so you can add as many as needed.
Can the ERA-DCKIT be used in a retrofit project?
Yes. The ERA-DCKIT is well-suited for retrofit accessibility projects because it requires no hardwiring. The push button transmitter is battery-powered and wireless, and the ERA-RXPG receiver plugs into any standard wall outlet — making it easy to add ADA-compliant visual doorbell notification without any construction.
Where can I get the full ADA Accessibility Statement for this product?
Safeguard Supply (a LHE, INC Company) has published a formal ADA Accessibility Statement (Rev 2.0, February 2026) for the ERA-DCKIT. Contact us at info@lheinc.com or call 904-245-1185 to request a copy for your compliance documentation.