TIL my old boss in Dayton was right about the 3 foot rule for keypads and I feel dumb for arguing

Uma Thompson · 2026-10-15T20:40:03.90152+00:00

Three years back I worked for a small shop in Dayton, Ohio and my boss Frank kept telling me to put keypads at 48 inches on center, no higher. I pushed back because the homeowner wanted it up at 60 so the kids could not reach it. Frank just shrugged and let me do it my way. Six months later I got called back because the wife was on a stool every time she armed the thing at night, and she was not happy about it. Turns out 48 inches works for most adults standing flat footed, and anything past 52 starts feeling like a reach for shorter folks. Frank never said I told you so, he just handed me the drill and watched. Now I carry a small piece of painters tape in my pouch and mark height before I drill anything. Curious what height you all run keypads at for homes with kids, do you go higher or keep it standard?

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TIL my old boss in Dayton was right about the 3 foot rule for keypads and I feel dumb for arguing | Alarm System Installers - SMM Buzz