Useable Doors

Question 1

What is the max force (lbs) allowed for opening an interior door?

Exterior door?

Answer 1

5 lbs.

8.5 lbs.

Question 2

What are the three acceptable dimensions for pull side clearances on an Accessible Door?

Answer 2

18” x 60”
24” x 48” when there is no closer
24” x 54” when there is a closer

Question 3

What is an Accessible Door?

Answer 3

Doors in public and common use spaces as well as the primary entry doors of dwelling units.
Or, doors outside the dwelling unit.

Question 4

Useable doors are allowed to have a nominal 32” of clear width. What does this mean?

Answer 4

Because of normal installation practices, adjacent conditions, variation in products such as hinges, and thickness of available materials, the clear opening is allowed a tolerance of 1/4” to 3/8”. This would leave a clear opening of at least 31-5/8”.

Question 5

Folding doors (bi-fold or accordion) can help avoid problems with door swings, but still need to provide a nominal clear opening of 32”, if being used for passage.
Considering this, the smallest doorway that either of these types of doors can be installed in is what?

Answer 5

36” due the width of the doors when open.

Question 6

What is the maximum step down allowed on an exterior dwelling unit door (patio, balcony, deck) if the exterior surface is constructed of an impervious material such as concrete, brick or flagstone?

Answer 6

4”

Question 7

What is the maximum step down allowed on an exterior dwelling unit door (patio, balcony, deck) if the exterior surface is constructed of a pervious material such as a wood deck that will drain adequately?

Answer 7

1/2”

Question 8

Closets that permit the user to access the contents from outside the closet have to follow what width specifications?

Answer 8

There are no door width specifications whatsoever.

Question 9

What determines whether a door should have 12”w of push side clearance?
- FHA

Answer 9

There must be 12” of clearance on the latch side, if the door has a latch AND a closer.
However:
The 12” is not required if either the closer or a latch is absent.

Question 10

Can a sliding door pass as an accessible door for a type A patio?

Answer 10

Yes, but the threshold must be no higher than 3/4”, with 1/2” of that being sloped at a 1:2.
NOTE: the change in level from interior to exterior must still be 1/2” or less.