What is the minimum clear width for an ADA-compliant door?
The ADA requires a minimum clear width of 32 inches for door openings on accessible routes. Clear width is measured between the face of the door and the stop on the latch side when the door is open 90 degrees. A standard 3’0” (36”) commercial door in a standard hollow metal frame typically provides approximately 34 inches of clear width, satisfying this requirement.
What is the maximum opening force for an ADA door?
Interior hinged doors on accessible routes must not require more than 5 pounds-force (lbf) to open. Exterior hinged doors and fire doors are excluded from this limit. Fire doors may require the minimum opening force allowed by the applicable fire code.
Are round door knobs ADA compliant?
No. Round door knobs require a twisting grip to operate, which does not comply with ADA Section 309.4. ADA-compliant hardware must be operable with one hand and must not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting. Lever handles, push-pull bars, and panic/exit devices are compliant alternatives.
What are the ADA requirements for door closers?
Door closers must be adjusted so that the door takes a minimum of 5 seconds to move from 90 degrees open to 12 degrees from the latch (§404.2.8). Spring hinges must allow a minimum of 1.5 seconds from 70 degrees to the closed position. These speeds are set during installation by adjusting the closer’s sweep and latch speed valves.
What is the ADA threshold height limit?
Thresholds at accessible doorways must not exceed 1/2 inch in height (§404.2.5). Any threshold higher than 1/4 inch must be beveled with a slope no steeper than 1:2. This applies to all door types on accessible routes.
Do double doors need to meet ADA width requirements on both leaves?
No. For double-leaf (pair) door configurations, only one active leaf is required to independently provide the minimum 32-inch clear width and meet maneuvering clearance requirements (§404.2.2). However, all other ADA door requirements — including hardware, thresholds, closing speed, and smooth surface — apply to both leaves.
What is the smooth surface requirement for ADA doors?
The push side of swinging doors must have a smooth surface within the bottom 10 inches above the finished floor, extending the full width of the door (§404.2.10). This prevents wheelchair footrests from catching on the door surface. Standard flush hollow metal doors and flush wood doors with kick plates comply. Raised-panel doors may not comply in the bottom 10-inch zone.
What is the ADA vision lite height requirement?
When vision panels are provided in a door or adjacent side lights, the bottom of at least one panel must be no higher than 43 inches above the finished floor (§404.2.11). This allows a person in a wheelchair to see through the door. An exception applies if the glazing is not intended for viewing, in which case the lowest part must be above 66 inches AFF.
