ADA Door Requirements
What are ADA Door Requirements?
ADA door requirements refers to the clear floor space, door dimensions, and maneuvering clearances required for doors along with how that space is affected when doors swing. There are many different situations where ADA door clearance is important such as what side you are approaching the door from or if you are on the latch side/hinge side of a door. In the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) there is a front approach, hinge side approach, and a latch side approach. Then the ADA also considers if you are on the pull or push side of the door. All of these situations enforce different ADA requirements. This is why it is important to consult with an ADA inspector for your businesses ADA door clearance.
ADA Door Dimensions
When looking at ADA door requirements, the width of a door must be a minimum of 32″ wide from a 90° angle.
The height requirement for a door is 80″ minimum from the top of the door to the finish floor surface.
When door depth is deeper than 24″, the door width must extend to 36″ minimum.
ADA Door Dimensions
ADA Door Closing Speed
ADA door requirements state door opening speed is limited to 5 seconds minimum when closing from a position of 90° to 12°.
ADA Door Opening Force
The opening force required for a door must not exceed 5lbs of force maximum excluding exterior hinged doors and fire doors.
Vision and Side Lights on Doors
Accessible vision windows for viewing, when provided must be at a maximum of 43″ to the bottom of opening.
ADA Door Hardware
ADA door requirements state door hardware must comply and not require and tight grasping, pinching, or difficult maneuvering.
ADA Door Smooth Surface
A smooth surface is required at the bottom of the push side door 10″ minimum above finish floor.
ADA Door Requirements: Thresholds
ADA door thresholds must be no more than 1/2″ high.
ADA Maneuvering Clearances
ADA compliant doors will comply with proper ADA maneuvering clearnaces on both sides of door.
Breakdown of ADA Door Clearances
The ADA door requirements are identified by different approaches of a door including front approach, pushing or pulling, latch side approach, and hinge side. All of these different approaches have different requirements. Check out the interactive tool below to understand maneuvering clearances at manual swinging doors.
Maneuvering Clearances at Doorways without Doors or Gates, Manual Sliding Doors, and Manual Folding Doors
Within the ADA door clearance requirements, there are also ADA door laws about clearances at doorways that aren’t gates, doors, sliding doors and folding doors. These doors are operated differently and have different spacing requirements, although similar. This just ensures people of all ability levels can easily and properly use the door, and all door types too not just bathroom doors. Check out the table below to understand the ADA door requirements.
| Approach Direction | Minimum Maneuvering Clearance: Perpendicular to Doorway | Minimum Maneuvering Clearance: Parallel to Doorway (Beyond Stop/Latch Side Unless Noted) |
|---|---|---|
| From Front | 48 inches (1220 mm) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| From the Side (Doorway with No Door Only) | 42 inches (1065 mm) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| From Pocket/Hinge Side | 42 inches (1065 mm) | 22 inches (560 mm) Beyond pocket/hinge side. |
| From Stop/Latch Side | 42 inches (1065 mm) | 24 inches (610 mm) |
Why is ADA Door Clearance Important?
ADA door requirements about clearance is important for many reasons. Proper door clearance compliance helps to ensure access for people of all abilities. As a business owner, this opens up your property to the maximum number of people, and it’s the right thing to do.
Clear Floor Space in Front of Doors
Clear floor space in front of doors is a key component of ADA door clearance. This allows wheelchair users and other mobility challenged people to use the door with minimal difficulty. There are some scenarios where door clearance requirements change depending on the location and use of the door.
Clear Floor Space in Bathrooms
In bathrooms, a door is allowed to swing into the clear floor turning space.
ADA Door Clearance Laws
Another important part to keep in mind about ADA door requirements is, they’re the law. As a business owner or property manager, you are responsible for providing access to the public, and not doing so has consequences. If your ADA door clearance is not compliant and someone is denied access, they are entitled to sue for damages of not being granted equal access. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) prohibits this because it is a form of discrimination.
Floor or Ground Surface at Door Landings
Another relevant part of ADA door requirements is the floor and ground surfaces in front of doors. In order to be ADA compliant with your door landing, your slope can not exceed changes in elevation greater than 1:48 (about 2%) and they must be free of level changes. Also, the clear floor space must be a minimum of 30”x48”.
ADA Door Accessibility Lawsuits
A large percentage of our clients are facing lawsuits relating to ADA door clearance. If you are as much as a few inches off, you could be subject to an ADA lawsuit. These typically are shakedown lawsuits where the law firms file hundreds of lawsuits a month taking advantage of the fact that hardly any business is 100% ADA compliant. This is why it is important to work with a company like ADA Access Consultants. We’ll inspect your property and tell you exactly what is out of compliance so you can fix it and avoid costly lawsuits and legal fees. ADA door requirements don’t have to be complicated!
Ensure ADA Door Requirements
To make sure your property’s doors are ADA compliant, simply call us or fill out your info for an ADA inspection of your property. We’ll get you a professional inspection and report so that you can make the necessary changes towards compliance. Our inspectors have decades of experience and go the extra mile to make sure you’re taken care of. Book an inspection with us today or get a free quote!
ADA Door Clearance Requirements Report
You’ll get a detailed comprehensive report with pictures, measurements and diagrams showing you exactly what you need to do to bring your property to ADA door requirements. In addition to this, we cite the relevant code so you can show the report to any contractor and they’ll understand and be able to do the work. We offer reinspections and are the best option when facing legal issues or lawsuits regarding accessibility.
