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Yankee Chronicler

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Joined
Oct 17, 2023
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Location
New England
Conventional thumbturns for deadbolts, as found in most aluminum storefront doors, require both pinching and twisting of the wrist to operate the deadbolt, so they don't comply with the ADA. I know I have seen deadbolts with extended, paddle-like levers that can be operated by swiping with a palm. I can't find them. Does anyone know who makes these things?
 
The real question is : Is the thumbturn even allowed?
If it does not require tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, single hand operation, with less than 5 pounds of force to operate its been ok. The US Access Board say you can use the closed fist test (although not official). If you can operate it with a single hand closed fist that should do it.
 
If it does not require tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, single hand operation, with less than 5 pounds of force to operate its been ok. The US Access Board say you can use the closed fist test (although not official). If you can operate it with a single hand closed fist that should do it.
This is the performance criteria I fall back on as best I can. Every "accessible" thumb turn I can recall had a longer lever. In the filed I used the closed fist. Often it required adjustment but usually passed the performance criteria once installed correctly. For plan review I can only request the specification but can't test it, that is left up to the inspector.

I have also seen many properly installed standard thumb-turn bolt levers that would pass the closed fist test, though I can't recall anyone proposing them as accessible.
 
If it does not require tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, single hand operation, with less than 5 pounds of force to operate its been ok. The US Access Board say you can use the closed fist test (although not official). If you can operate it with a single hand closed fist that should do it.
Accessibility is not the only criteria.....You have to look at egress too...

1010.2.4​

Locks and latches shall be permitted to prevent operation of doors where any of the following exist:

  1. 1.Places of detention or restraint.
  2. 2.In Group I-1, Condition 2 and Group I-2 occupancies where the clinical needs of persons receiving care require containment or where persons receiving care pose a security threat, provided that all clinical staff can readily unlock doors at all times, and all such locks are keyed to keys carried by all clinical staff at all times or all clinical staff have the codes or other means necessary to operate the locks at all times.
  3. 3.In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant load of 300 or less, Groups B, F, M and S, and in places of religious worship, the main door or doors are permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking devices from the egress side provided:
    1. 3.1.The locking device is readily distinguishable as locked.
    2. 3.2.A readily visible durable sign is posted on the egress side on or adjacent to the door stating: THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN THIS SPACE IS OCCUPIED. The sign shall be in letters 1 inch (25 mm) high on a contrasting background.
    3. 3.3.The use of the key-operated locking device is revocable by the building official for due cause.
 
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