Business owners across the United States have to follow various requirements, including those established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Understanding ADA requirements for doors can prevent costly lawsuits, renovation expenses, and barriers that prevent customers and employees from accessing your business.

Why ADA Door Compliance Matters for Your Business

The ADA requires that public spaces and commercial buildings provide access to individuals with disabilities. Doors are usually the first point of interaction that customers have with your business, so compliance is critical for legal and practical reasons.

Noncompliance can lead to investigations, lawsuits, and costly retrofitting. By starting with an ADA-compliant door that welcomes customers of all mobility ranges into your building, your business can save money and headaches.

Door Width Requirements

All accessible doors must provide a minimum clear width of 32 inches when the door is open 90 degrees. This measurement is taken from the face of the door to the opposite stop. For most standard doors, this means you should install a 36-inch door, as the door thickness and frame will reduce the actual opening for people to pass through. Double doors must have at least one leaf that provides the required 32-inch clear width, though both leaves can be used to create wider openings during peak traffic times.

Opening Force Specifications

Door-opening force directly impacts accessibility for individuals with limited upper body strength or dexterity challenges. Interior doors require a maximum opening force of five pounds including office doors, conference rooms, and restrooms.

For exterior doors, the maximum opening force is 8.5 pounds, though this can be challenging to achieve with standard manual doors due to weather sealing and security requirements.

Hardware and Threshold Requirements

Hardware for your doors might seem basic, but the different options might not meet ADA requirements. Door handles must be lever-style, as these don’t require tight grasping or twisting that individuals with disabilities might not be able to maintain.

Door thresholds can’t exceed three-quarters of an inch in height, and any threshold over one-fourth of an inch must be beveled. This threshold level prevents tripping hazards and ensures smooth wheelchair passage.

Common Compliance Challenges

Many businesses in older buildings struggle to accommodate ADA requirements due to the complex or expensive structural modifications. The ADA allows for alternative compliance methods when full accessibility proves technically infeasible, but these methods require careful documentation and often professional consultation.

Steps To Ensure Your Door Meets ADA Standards

Start with a door audit throughout your building, checking clear widths, opening forces, and hardware to see if each meets ADA requirements. Document deficiencies, prioritizing corrections based on the doors’ importance to your operations.

If you find that your doors don’t comply with ADA guidelines, consider hiring a professional door service to make the necessary changes. Same Day Door Service offers commercial door installation to meet ADA guidelines for your business.

Creating an Accessible Future

ADA door compliance is the first step in creating an accessible space for your customers. With a welcoming atmosphere for all, your customers, employees, and bottom line will benefit from your investment in true accessibility.