Guide to ADA door requirements, width, clearance, and accessibility guidelines.
Making goods and services available to people with disabilities requires physical access to a facility from public sidewalks, public transportation, or parking.A person using a wheelchair, walker, or cane can't get in if there is only one step at the entrance.An alternate accessible entrance, adding a short ramp, modifying the area in front or to the side of the entrance to eliminate a step, and installing a lift are just a few ways in which access can be achieved in a variety of ways.Most businesses have two public entrances, but only one must be accessible.The shop shown in the photo has an accessible entrance from the building lobby on the other side of the store.The lobby entrance gives access to the store.A sign is needed when one entrance is not accessible and another is.During store hours, the alternative entrance must be open.If the alternative accessible entrance is not unlocked due to security concerns, you must provide an accessible way for staff to open the door, such as a buzzer or bell.The buzzer or call bell must be mounted at an accessible height if it is to be used.The slope of the ramp should be as shallow as possible but not more than 12:1.It is important to provide handrails whenever the slope is more than 1:20 and the vertical rise is greater than 6 inches.To avoid an abrupt drop-off, grade the area that is adjacent to the ramp.A raised edge or railing must be installed if there is a drop-off.It's important that people don't accidentally roll off the edge of the ramp.railings and edge protection are used on the ramp that is shown.There is a lower railing installed parallel to the ramp surface.
There is a ramp with handrails in the front of the store.The front of the store has a ramp parallel to it.A new ramp with edge protection, handrails and a wide landing outside the entrance provide access to this business.
Edge protection prevents people from rolling over the edge of the ramp.It is possible to enter or exit the store with a wide landing.
A front view of a store with an entrance that is below the sidewalk.There are three steps to the entrance.There is a sign in front of the entrance.There is a way to get to another entrance that is accessible.
A sign directs customers to the nearest accessible entrance.The sign has an international symbol of accessibility, an arrow and an accessible entrance in the lobby.A person can pull the door open if they have a level landing area in front of them.There is no drop-off between the landing and the grass area because the area is graded flush.The earth is graded to eliminate a drop-off.
There is a landing at the front of the hair salon.The accessible entrance is provided by a new landing, ramp and lever door handle.
There are notes about adding a lever handle to a door knob.The landing extends beyond the edge of the door.There is a new landing and ramp.Drop off is eliminated when Earth is graded up to landing and ramp.There is a ramp slope max.One way to provide access at an entrance is to use a platform or lift.Lifts are mechanical devices that can be used to move a person in a wheelchair or scooter.When there is little space for a ramp or an entrance that serves more than one level, a lift may be a better solution.A lift could have been installed if the bookstore pictured in the photo had an accessible entrance.Lifts need periodic maintenance and must meet safety codes, but are worthwhile considerations when a ramp is not feasible.
The entrance to the restaurant has three steps.There is a sign on the front.If you cannot make an accessible entrance, home delivery, take-out, curbside delivery or other alternate service is required.
Goods and services must be provided in other ways if it is not possible to provide an entrance.If a restaurant has several steps at the entrance and no accessible entry, home delivery may be required.It is possible to get an order by telephone and to have a clerk bring the order to the customer outside the store or business.It is important that alternative service is publicized so that the customer knows how the goods and services are offered.Most entrances to stores and businesses use 36 inch wide doors that are wide enough to be accessible.Older doors may not provide enough width because they are less than 36 inches wide.Sometimes door openings can be enlarged.Special "swing clear" hinges may be able to provide 1 1/2 inches more clearance without replacing the door and door frame.Access to the business can be prevented by accessible door hardware.The user needs to tightly grasp the handle to open the door.Many people with mobility disabilities and others with a disability that limits grasping, such as arthritis, find this type of handle difficult or impossible to use.
A hand grasping the door handle is shown in the illustration.The panel-type handle is not accessible because it requires the user to tightly grasp it to open the door.
Other types of door hardware, such as a round door knob, which requires tight grasping and twisting to operate, and a handle with a thumblatch, are not accessible and must be modified or replaced if it is possible.
The hand is using a loop handle.One needs to grasp the handle and pinch down on the thumb latch at the same time to make it accessible.
It is relatively easy to change or add door hardware.A lever handle can be used to replace a round doorknob.If the door can be pulled open without the thumblatch being depressed, the hardware may be replaced.A loop-type handle can be used to replace a flat panel pull handle.
The lever handle is mounted on an entry door and has a hand on it.A lever handle can be operated with no grasping, pinching or twisting.A hand slipped around a loop-type handle.A loop-type handle is also accessible because it can be used without grasping, pinching or twisting.