Doors and Door Hardware

All entrances and exterior and interior exit doors, regardless of the occupant load, shall be made accessible to persons with disabilities.

Door Dimensions

Requirement	Specification
Width	Minimum 3'-0" wide (32" clear when 90° open)
Height	6'-8"

Door Hardware

Requirement	Specification
Operation	Operable with a single effort without requiring ability to grasp hardware
Mounting Height	30" – 44" above floor
Effort to Operate	8.5 pounds at exterior doors; 5 pounds at interior doors

Acceptable Hardware Types

The following hardware types are acceptable when mounted at 30"–44" from floor:

LEVERS: Lever-style handles
PUSH/PULLS: Push/pull bars and handles
PANIC BARS: Push bar with "PUSH" label

Door Clearances and Maneuvering Spaces

Pull Side Requirements

Exterior doors: 24" min. clear
Interior doors: 18" min. clear
Depth: 60" min.

Push Side Requirements

Clear space: 12" min.
Depth: 48" min.

Note: Provide this additional space if door is equipped with both a latch and a closer.

Door Swing Configurations

Condition	X Dimension	Y Dimension
Standard configuration	36" (915 mm) minimum	60" (1525 mm)
Alternative configuration	42" (1065 mm) minimum	54" (1370 mm)
Door with latch and closer	—	48" (1220 mm) minimum
Door with closer only	—	54" (1370 mm) minimum if Y = 48" (1220 mm) minimum

Door Threshold Details

Element	Specification
Maximum height	1/2" at 1:2 slope
Threshold height	1/4" max.

Common Obstructions and Solutions

Problems:

Bump at raised threshold blocks small wheels
Smooth polished floor prevents traction on approach
Rough or deteriorated threshold makes passage impassable to wheelchairs
Inadequately anchored door mats interfere with wheelchair traffic

Solutions:

Firm, flush mounted mats are preferable
Avoid raised thresholds that exceed specifications
Maintain threshold condition to prevent deterioration

For information on door clearances in vestibules, see /building-entrance-and-circulation/vestibules.