The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has outlined building regulations for public spaces, which make the building accessible to those with disabilities. One crucial consideration in your construction is the availability of handicapped-accessible doors. Understand the requirements you need to meet to reduce your liability and to make your space welcoming to everyone.

A Guide to ADA Rules for Handicapped-Accessible Doors

What They Are

Handicapped-accessible doors are for people in wheelchairs or with other physical limitations. When open, they have at least 32 inches of clear space in the aperture. The threshold cannot be higher than half an inch; thresholds higher than a quarter inch must be beveled at a maximum 1:2 slope. The door’s hardware must not require more than five pounds of force to move. They should have lever handles rather than round doorknobs since they must be operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.

The door should close slowly enough that people can get through safely; a door with closers should take at least five seconds to move from completely open to 12 degrees from the latch, while a door with spring hinges should take at least 1.5 seconds to close. The entrance landing on either side of the door must accommodate maneuvering for wheelchairs.

Where to Put Them

There should be at least one accessible door in each required location. This includes at every accessible entrance; newly built facilities must have at least 60% of their public entrances made accessible. Exterior entrances from parking structures, elevated walkways, or pedestrian tunnels should be along each building’s required route of escape. Regulations also require accessible rooms within each tenant space in a facility with multiple businesses, such as a mall.

Meeting ADA requirements for your handicapped-accessible doors becomes simple when you work with Southern Ohio Door Controls. This Cleves, OH, company serves all types of commercial spaces throughout the tri-state area and Kentucky. Their full-service approach includes door installation, maintenance, and repairs. They have a wide selection from multiple manufacturers, ranging from automatic doors to revolving doors. Learn more on their website, and call their office at (513) 353-4793 to talk with an associate.