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Understanding ADA restroom requirements

Builder Bob said:
I do have a problem with the original post, it appears the lavatories are encroaching upon the required 18" or 12" inches = hell if I know at this time -- sorry drinking to much beer ------ required floor space for the door approach. Spock Out
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Spock... err... Bob, as I've read more about the ins-and-outs of accessibility code, the more I'm convinced that Plan-1B Pair (as illustrated in my original post) is designed with no closer. Or perhaps what looks like a "latch" is not actually a "latch" but something like a deadbolt or sliding privacy lock that's not spring-loaded (see my other post about deadbolts vs latches).

If it's the latter (deadbolt type privacy lock), then Plan-1B Pair makes sense and is a good design. If the former (no closer), then Plan-1B Pair is misleading because a closer on restroom doors is at least recommended, and in some jurisdictions, it's required.
 
I just found an interesting tidbit that seems to back up my position that a deadbolt, by itself, is not a latch.
Because this is a fire door, it must close and latch to deter the spread of smoke and flames. NFPA 80 addresses products which do not latch each time the door closes, but requires that “in a fire emergency, the door becomes positively latched by means of an automatic fail-safe device that is activated by an automatic fire detector.”
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Note the focus on the requirement for a "latch" to actually latch (secure) the door automatically when the door is in the closed position. A manually-operated deadbolt will never automatically latch a door. To me, this means that a deadbolt is not considered a "latch" for the purposes of building, fire, and accessibility codes; instead, a deadbolt falls under the category of "a product which does not latch each time the door closes."
 
Michael.L said:
I just found an interesting tidbit that seems to back up my position that a deadbolt, by itself, is not a latch.


Note the focus on the requirement for a "latch" to actually latch (secure) the door automatically when the door is in the closed position. A manually-operated deadbolt will never automatically latch a door. To me, this means that a deadbolt is not considered a "latch" for the purposes of building, fire, and accessibility codes; instead, a deadbolt falls under the category of "a product which does not latch each time the door closes."
Click to expand...


Send your question to the hardware guru, and you will get fantastic answers!!!!!


http://idighardware.com/2015/07/restroom-locks-and-latches/


http://idighardware.com/about-2/
 
"Dead" as it implies is just that, it stays in place at all times where you place it, requiring an effort to move it at any time. The same may not be true of various types of latches which may or may not contain springs, slide bars or rotate to operate elements.
The point being per ADA compliance that the door should be openable with little effort (minimum resistance by hinges) other that to push against it (in a perpendicular manner to the door face) without multiple actions being required of the pusher.
 
ADAguy said:
The point being per ADA compliance that the door should be openable with little effort (minimum resistance by hinges) other that to push against it (in a perpendicular manner to the door face) without multiple actions being required of the pusher.
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But the intent is not to eliminate multiple actions; it's to eliminate multiple simultaneous actions.

It takes two independent actions to open a door with a latch, but no closer: (1) HOLD open the latch against the resistance of the latching mechanism; and (2) Swing open the door. This is acceptable because, while effort is required to hold open the latch, there's virtually no effort required to swing open a door that has no closer.

It takes two independent actions to open a door with a deadbolt and a closer: (1) Retract the bolt; and (2) Push open the door against the resistance of the closer. This should also be acceptable because, there is no effort expended on the deadbolt after it is retracted, only effort to overcome the resistance of the closer.

The requirement for additional clear floor space when there is both a latch and a closer, is because the user must overcome the resistance of the latching mechanism while simultaneously overcoming the resistance of the closer. The additional effort to perform both tasks simultaneously is the challenge that requires additional working space for a disabled user.
 
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