Americans with Disabilities Act

Providing Accessibility and Usablility for Physically Handicapped People

International Accessbility Symbol

The international accessbility symbol (see illustration) must be displayed on routes to and at wheelchair-accessible entrances to facilities and public transportation vehicles.

Putting on a Good Front: Effects of the ADA on Facility Entrances

The Americans with Disabilities Act's (ADA) entrance provisions should sensitieze building professionals to the needs of all tenants, employees, patrons, and guests -- lest the door to discrimination complaints and litigation be left wide open.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines

Title I Employment -- Stipulates that employerw with 15 or more employees may not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. Employers must accommodate the disabilities of qualified applicants or employees unless undue hardship would result.

Title II Public Services -- State and local governments may not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. Also, new construction and alterations to existing government facilities must be accessible.

Title III Public Accommodations -- specifically addresses the following places of public accommodations:

1. Places of lodging.

2. Establishments serving food or drink.

3. Places of exhibition or entertainment.

4. Places of public gathering.

5. Sales or rental establishments.

6. Service establishments.

7. Stations used for specified public transportation.

8. Places of public display or collection.

9. Places of recreation.

10. Places of education.

11. Social service center establishments.

12. Places of exercise or recreation.

4.13.9* Door Hardware.

Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operating devices on accessible doors shall have a shape that is easy to grasp with one hand and does not require tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting or the wrist to operate.

Lever-operated mechanisms, push-type mechanisms, and U-shaped handles are acceptable designs.
When sliding doors are fully open, operating hardware shall be exposed and usable from both sides. In dwelling units, only doors at accessible entrances to the unit itself shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

4.13.10* Door Closers.

If a door has a closer, then the sweep period of the closer shall be adjusted so that from an open position of 70º, the door will take at least 3 seconds to move to a point 3" from the latch, measured to the leading edge of the door.

Closers with delayed action features give a person more time to maneuver through doorways.
They are particularly useful on frequently used interior doors such as entrances to toilet rooms.

Delayed Action Door Closers

• Delays closing between fully open & 70º.
• Easier for handicapped or the elderly to enter & exit.
• Convenience & safety for personnel to move wheeled vehicles through the opening.

4.13.11* Door-Opening Force.

The maximum force, expressed in pounds-force (ibf) and newtons (N), for pushing or pulling open a door shall be as follows:

1. Fire doors shall have the minimum opening force allowable by the appropriate administrative authority.

2. Other doors:

   (a) Exterior hinged doors:	8.5 ibf (37.8N)
   (b) Interior hinged doors:	5 ibf (22.2N)
   (c) Sliding or folding doors:	5 ibf (22.2N)

These forces do not apply to the forcec required to retract latch bolts or disengage other devices that may hold the door in a closed position.

4.4.2 Headroom

Walks, halls, corridors, passageways, aisles, or other circulation spaces shall have 80" minimum clear headroom.

Corner Brackets for Closer Mounting

Door Closer mountd on Corner Brackets will extend into the opening below the 80" minimum clearance. Replace the door closer with Parallel Arm or Top Jamb applicatioin.

Note: The Power of some closers can be adjusted to conform to the requirements out-lined in ANSI A117.1-1980, Specifications for Making Buildings and FAcilities Accessible To and Usable By Physically Handicapped People.

4.13.5 Clear Width

Doorways intended for user passage shall have a minimum clear opening of 32" with the door open 90º, measured between the face of the door and the stop.

Swing Clear Hinges

When standard-type hinges open only 90º, the door thickness protrudes in the doorway opening.
The swing clear hinge makes it possible to clear the opening even if the door opens only 90º.

Regardless of closers installed or lever-handled devices used, ADA guidelines require every handicap-accessible door provide a minimum clear opening of 32 inches with the door open to 90 degree.

4.13.8* Thresholds at Doorways.

Thresholds at doorways shall not exceed 3/4" in height for exterior residential sliding doors or 1/2" for other types of doors. Raised thresholds and floor level changes at accessible doorways shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1/2"

Many exteriior doors have a step up from the exterior walk to the sill or interiior floor level.

A 1/2" rise is standard, but special heights are available. Check with your m anufacturer for special conditions.

Exit Device Trim

Exit Device Trim - In most cases, knob or thumbpiece trim can be replaced with lever trim.

Rod and Latch Guards *

Delayed Exit Control

Delayed exit control systems combine life safety and security. Should a wandering or disoriented person attempt to exit a controlled area, an alarm sounds, yet the door remains secure for a period of 15 seconds, allowing the person in charge time to intercept the exit. This type of system would be connected to the automatic fire alarm system and in an emergency would immediately unlock.

A4.13.12 Automatic Doors and Power-Assisted Doors.

Sliding automatic doors do not need guard rails and are more convenient for wheelchair users and visually impaired people to use. If slowly opening automatic doors can be reactuated before their closing cycyle is completed, they will be more convenient in busy doorways.

Opener/Closer for Wheelchair Access

	Automatic door operators are designed to open doors safely and slowly. When the switch is actuated the door fully opens and is held open for up to 30 seconds, allowing safe entry before closing.
Hold Open Feature
Toilet Rooms Bathrooms	A toilet room must have enough space for people in wheel chairs. The toilet room must have at least one toilet stall that a) is a least 66 inches wide, b) is at least 60 inches deep, c) has a door, if any, that is a least 32 inches wide and swings out. d) has a handrail on one side that is 33 inches high and parallet to the floor, 1 1/2 inches in outside diameter, 1 1/2 inches away from the wall, and fastened securely at the ends and center, and, e) has a toilet with a seat 19 to 20 inches from the floor with the centerline 18 inches from the side wall on which the handrail is located.

4.28 Signage

Makings

• Rasised letters or numbers must be used to mark rooms and offices.

• These markings must be placed on the wall to the right or left of the door at a height of 54" to 66" from the floor.

RESTROOMS require raised letters and: "WOMEN" - Round, 12" Diameter sign "MEN" - Triangle, 12" sides sign (NOT APPLICABLE TO ALL STATE CODES)

A4.13.9 Door Hardware Some disabled persons must push against a door with their chair or walker to open it. Applied kickplates on doors with closers can reduce required maintenance by withstanding abuse from wheelchairs and canes. To be effective, they should cover the door width, less approximately 2" up to a height of 16" from its bottom edge and be centered across the top.

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