ADA Regulations for Doorways
- The ADA requires that any newly designed or constructed building or facility, or any previously existing building that alters or upgrades its facilities, must comply with Section 4. This section of the law imposes building requirements that will allow people with disabilities easier access. The law requires that any area usable by the public or employees as work areas shall be designed and built to facilitate use by people with disabilities.
- The ADA requires any automatic or power-assisted door to meet the standards set by the American National Standards Institute. These regulations generally require different standards based on the kind of use and traffic the door is designed to accommodate. Revolving doors and turnstiles must be accompanied by an adjacent gate or door that will allow access to people with disabilities, such as those requiring the use of a wheelchair.
- The ADA requires that doors and doorways have a minimum maneuvering clearance to allow easier access. Any doorway that is not automatic or power-assisted must maintain a floor or ground area within the required minimums. Depending on the size of the door, a distance of between 48 and 60 inches may be required between a wall in which the door is set and any obstructions or other construction. All maneuvering areas must be on a level surface and clear of obstructions.
- The ADA requires that all doorways have a minimum opening clearance of 32 inches. This means that when the door is open so that the door itself is at a 90-degree angle to the wall in which it is set, the distance between the door face and the edge of the door frame must be at least 32 inches.
- Whenever two or more hinged doors are built in a series, the space between them must be at least 48 inches, plus the width of the door swinging into the space. These doors must either swing in the same direction, or swing in opposite directions as long as they swing away from the required minimum space.