Every business has the responsibility to provide accessible facilities for employees, visitors, and customers. ADA compliance is not just a legal requirement, it is also the right thing to do. One of the most important considerations is making sure your commercial doors meet ADA standards.
But do you need to install double doors to ensure accessibility? Not necessarily. Both single and double doors can be fully ADA-compliant if they meet the right requirements.
ADA Door Accessibility Requirements
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that public and commercial buildings be accessible, which includes specific guidelines for interior and exterior doors. At CDF Distributors, we provide a wide range of ADA-compliant doors and hardware to help businesses stay compliant.
Door Width Standards
According to the ADA, at least sixty percent of all public entrances in a commercial building must be accessible, ideally including the main entry points. Door openings must provide a clear width of at least thirty-two inches when the door is open to ninety degrees.
To measure the clear width:
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Open the door to a ninety-degree angle.
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Measure from the face of the door to the opposite stop.
For double door assemblies, at least one active leaf must meet the same clear width requirement of thirty-two inches.
Keep in mind that door hardware can extend from the door surface and must not reduce the required opening.
Maneuvering Clearance
Maneuvering clearance is the flat level space in front of a door that allows someone to approach, open, and pass through it. The required clearance depends on the door swing and the approach:
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On the pull side with a front approach, at least eighteen inches of clear space is needed beyond the latch side and at least sixty inches of perpendicular clearance.
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On the push side, at least twelve inches of clear space is required on the latch side with at least forty-eight inches of perpendicular clearance.
These measurements ensure wheelchair users and individuals with mobility devices have enough room to safely operate the door.
ADA Compliant Thresholds
When installing new commercial entry doors, thresholds must not exceed one-half inch in height. For exterior sliding doors, thresholds may be up to three-quarters of an inch. Any raised threshold must be beveled at a slope no steeper than one to two to allow easy passage for wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices.
Door Surface Requirements
ADA guidelines state that from the floor up to ten inches, the push side of a door must have a smooth surface. This prevents canes, wheelchairs, and walkers from catching on protrusions.
Kick plates are allowed, as long as they are installed flush and properly cover gaps. Sliding doors are exempt from this requirement.
ADA Compliant Hardware for Single and Double Doors
The right ADA door hardware is essential. Many people with disabilities may not be able to twist or grasp traditional round knobs. Instead, compliant options include:
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U-shaped door handles
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Ladder pulls
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Lever-operated handles
Hardware must be:
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Installed between thirty-four and forty-eight inches above the floor.
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Operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
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Require no more than five pounds of force to operate.
Door Closing Speed
Doors with closers must not close too quickly, allowing individuals with mobility challenges time to pass safely. According to ADA standards, if equipped with a closer, the sweep period from a seventy-degree open position to three inches from the latch must last at least three seconds. Spring hinge doors must take at least one and a half seconds to move from a seventy-degree open position to a closed position.
Push and Pull Force Requirements
The ADA requires that interior hinged, sliding, and folding doors (other than fire doors) require no more than five pounds of force to open. Fire doors must meet applicable building codes for operating force, but still should be accessible whenever possible.
Ensure ADA Compliance With CDF Distributors
Navigating ADA requirements for doors may seem overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. At CDF Distributors, we offer a complete selection of commercial doors, frames, and hardware that meet ADA standards. Our team can help you choose the right single or double door solutions to keep your business accessible and compliant.
Ready to upgrade your entryways? Get an instant quote online today.
