Entrances
No matter how accessible the route to the main entrance of a building or facility may be, the entrance is another area in which common accessibility mistakes occur. Improperly marked entrances, heavy doors, skinny doors, inaccessible hardware and the lack of a ramp or lift are often the primary mistakes at entrances. Please see the following standards in order make an accessible entrance:
- Accessible entrance must be clearly marked
- The entrance must be accessed without the use of stairs
- Accessible entrance must connect to an access route
- The doorway must be 32 inches or greater when the door is opened at 900
- If the door opens out, there should be at least 18 inches on the latch side of the door for maneuvering
- The door should be operable with a closed fist
- Thresholds should be less than ¾ inches
- The door should take 5 seconds to close from 900 to 120 from the latch
- The door should be opened with less than five pounds of force (unless it’s a fire door)
Remember that a proper access route is needed for a person with a disability to even get to the entrance. Please refer to the access route section for more information. Also, note that automatic door openers are not a requirement of the ADA; however, it is a best practice to install these openers wherever possible to become fully accessible.
Click Here for Interactive Standards Map for Entrances »
