It is a common misconception that public buildings are required to have automatic doors. In fact, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not have mandatory requirements to install automatic doors for any type of building. While the ADA Standards for Accessible Design do not have scoping requirements for automatic doors, they do include some technical requirements for automatic and power-assisted doors for when they are installed.

Similarly, the Fair Housing Act Design Requirements for multi-family housing do not mandate automatic doors for any location. Note: Be sure to check with local authorities since the IBC 2021 and later editions require automatic doors at Assembly, Business, Mercantile and R-1 Residential occupancies with certain occupant loads.

What are Automatic and Power-Assisted Doors?

ANSI/BHMA A156.10 defines an automatic door operator as “A power operated mechanism that is attached to a door for the purpose of mechanically opening and closing a door upon the receipt of an activating signal.” The activating signal can be a motion sensor, floor mat or a push button in the vicinity of the door. Doors with push buttons are referred to as “Knowing Act” automatic doors.

A Power-Assisted Door is a manual door with a power mechanism that activates by pushing or pulling the door, reducing the opening resistance of a self-closing door to allow easier manual opening of the door. Requirements for power assisted doors are found in ANSI/BHMA A156.19.

There are some situations where automatic doors are either advisable or necessary. For Convenience Entrances to grocery stores, hospitals and similar facilities often have automatic doors to improve access and to generally make life easier for all people using the entrance.

Pressure differentials and wind can sometimes make it very difficult to open exterior doors. Keep in mind that there are no requirements for the maximum force necessary to open exterior doors. Sometimes it is necessary to install an auto-opener where it is otherwise difficult to open exterior doors. Any facility where it is anticipated that there will be a larger population of elderly guests, guests with disabilities, or families with young children, should consider installing automatic doors at public entrances.

To Address Existing Non-Accessible Conditions

An accessible door is required to have level landings on both sides of the door and additional maneuvering clearances to provide sufficient space for wheelchair users to open a door unassisted. For example, if you are pulling a door towards you, there must be clearances that extend 18” to the side of the door and 60” away from the door and this area must be mostly level and not ramped.

If there are slopes at the door, a wheelchair user will have difficulty remaining steady when they try to open the door. If there are insufficient clearances at the door, the user might not be able to maneuver their chair or walker beyond the swing of the door.

For example, if an existing entry door has a sloped exterior landing, it may be necessary to install an automatic door to provide an accessible entry. Another example, if there are narrow corridors leading up to the entry door of a restroom, or tight clearances within the restroom, an automatic opener can greatly improve access.

Providing an automatic opener at a swinging door can eliminate the need to make expensive alterations for an existing non-compliant door. Keep in mind that only Automatic Doors can be used to address non-accessible conditions. Power-Assisted doors can improve access but do not provide the same exceptions that are allowed with automatic doors. A more detailed explanation of these requirements can be found below.

A Reasonable Accommodation for an Employee

While the ADA Standards for Accessible Design do not mandate automatic doors, it is important to remember that the Americans with Disabilities Act is a broad civil rights law that requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities when they are requested.

Even if a facility fully complies with the ADA Standards, it may be necessary to make further modifications to accommodate an employee if and when the need arises. This applies to both private and public employers. Reasonable accommodations may include minor changes such as rearranging furniture or providing desks that accommodate an employee’s needs but can also include significant alterations like installing ramps or providing automatic doors at specific locations. Power-Assisted doors can also be used to provide accommodations. Under ANSI/A117.1 section 404.3.4, low energy automatic and full power automatic doors are exempted from meeting the maneuvering clearance requirements.

More information about reasonable accommodations can be found at the Department of Labor website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/employers/accommodations

Important Considerations

When installing an automatic door, it is important to consider the placement of sensors or push-buttons. If a push-button is utilized, a level clear floor space must be provided at the button. A common mistake is placing the push button in a location where the operated door swings into the clear floor space, potentially striking the person who pressed the button. The button should be placed in a convenient location along the approach to the door.

Photo 1 :Photo 1: A level clear floor space is required at push buttons.

Photo 2 : Doors cannot swing into the space in front of a push-button.

Timing of the door closing is also important. If the push button is further away from the door, the hold-open time may need to be increased to give a person sufficient time to enter. This is regulated by ANSI/BHMA A156.10.

Automatic doors should be located in the most convenient location for the intended users. This could mean that the automatic door is placed off to a side, closer to a ramp for example, rather than centrally located where the majority of people enter.

A More Detailed Explanation of Maneuvering Clearances at Automatic Doors

Requirements for clearances around manual swinging doors are found in Table 404.2.4.1 of the ADA Standards. These clearances are specific to manual doors and are not always applicable to automatic doors. Most of the requirements for Automatic Doors are found in ANSI/BHMA A156.10. This document includes requirements for clearances, timing and locations of sensors and push buttons.

Section 404.3.2 of the ADA Standards specifies when maneuvering clearances are required automatic and power-assisted doors. Power-Assisted Swinging Doors: These doors are always required to have the normal accessible maneuvering clearances. Installing a power-assist is acceptable for reasonable accommodations but will not get around other accessibility requirements.

Automatic Doors in New Construction: If an automatic door is serving an accessible means of egress, it must:

be equipped with standby power, OR
remain open in the power-off conditions, OR
have the minimum accessible maneuvering clearances required for a manual door.

Automatic Doors in Renovations

An automatic door can be used to address slope or maneuvering clearance issues in an existing building. It is not necessary for the door to have standby power. The requirement for standby power only applies to automatic doors serving “accessible means of egress”. Section 207 of the Standards references IBC 2000 or IBC 2003 for means of egress. Both documents include exceptions that state, “Accessible means of egress are not required in alterations to existing buildings.” Since accessible means of egress are not required for existing buildings, automatic doors in existing buildings are not required to have standby power.

Conclusion

Navigating the ANSI/BHMA A156.10 can be complex in regards to meeting accessibility standards. Our team of Registered Accessibility Specialists is here to guide you through each phase, ensuring your project meets or exceeds these standards from the initial planning stages through final inspection. We pride ourselves on being “the architect’s architect,” dedicated to promoting inclusive design and protecting your project from compliance issues down the line.

Visit www.acico.com to learn more about our services and how we can support you in creating compliant, inclusive, and inviting spaces.

Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational purposes. Always consult the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), current codes, and relevant authorities to confirm the latest regulations and standards for your specific project.

Automatic Doors for Accessibility: Where and When