Door Maneuvering Space: A Common ADA Discrepancy [1/21/19]

Regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) discrepancies, one of the most common discrepancies I find as a compliance inspector is inadequate maneuvering space on the pull side of a pedestrian door. Look at the photo below. On the right side, also referred to as the latch side, there is only about 10 inches before you get to the edge of the walkway. That’s the problem.

2010 ADA Standard 404.2.4, [Door] Maneuvering Clearances, states, “Maneuvering clearances shall extend the full width of the doorway and the required latch side or hinge side clearance.” Also, Standard 404.2.4.1, Swinging Doors and Gates, states, “Swinging doors and gates shall have maneuvering clearances complying with Table 404.2.4.1.” And in the table, doors that pull open require a “minimum maneuvering clearance of 60 inches perpendicular to the doorway and a space 18 inches wide minimum beyond the latch side and parallel to the doorway.” Since this swinging door opens to the exterior, a space as shown below must be provided at the exterior of the building. [NOTE: The door swing is reversed in the diagram below.]

Maneuvering Clearance at Swing Door Opening Out

This maneuvering clearance is necessary so those in a wheelchair can displace beyond the arc of the door swing so they have room to pull the door by their wheelchair.

This standard applies to interior and exterior doors. The only exception is for entry doors to hospital patient rooms which are not required to provide the clearance beyond the latch side of the door. So in this installation my recommendation would be to increase the maneuvering space on the walkway at the exterior of the door. Keep in mind that these are minimum maneuvering clearances. In the photo above, on the right side of the walkway is a 6 inch curb dropoff with a vehicular path beyond that. Very dangerous for the disabled when maneuvering here.

If you observe a building that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

Thank you.