Accessible Entrance

[LGreene]

Per the 2010 ADA guidelines and ICC A117.1, manual doors need to be flush with no projections on the bottom 10" of the push side. A 10" bottom rail is required for manual doors, with a few exceptions. Here's more info about this: I Dig Hardware / I Hate Hardware » Decoded: Flush Bottom Rails (April 2012)

The question is...since this requirement doesn't apply to automatic doors, if an entrance had one automatic door and one manual door, could both doors have 5" bottom rails since the automatic door would be the accessible door?

 

[mn joe]

Lori, In ICC/ANSI 117.1-2003, section404.1 General it states "doors and doorways that are part of an accessible route shall comply with Section 404." To me, that means that the manual door would need the 10 inch smooth bottom rail even if paired with an automatic door, if it is on the accessible route. I can think of numerous scenarios when someone in a walker or using crutches or a white cane may choose not to use the automatic door, even when provided. I would be more comfortable sticking with the letter of the law on this rule.

Joe

 

[mark handler]

Existing or New?

If provided, all swinging doors should comply.....

 

[LGreene]

Existing or New?If provided, all swinging doors should comply.....

I think it's new.

 

[JPohling]

Most jurisdictions around here will accept a 4" bottom rail with a beveled return to the glass. I have never seen this in print anywhere as an exception to the 10" bottom rail, but it seems to be widely acceptable.