What's Wrong With This Photo? 2/23/19

Look at the photo below. What you are seeing is a door with a small ramp leading up to the door. The door opens to the exterior. In other words, the door is opened by pulling from the exterior or pushing from the interior. Thinking about the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), what’s wrong? HINT: Maneuvering space.

How would someone in a wheelchair maneuver to open this door from the outside? In the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, 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 Table 404.2.4.1 says the maneuvering space on the pull side of a swing door has to be 60 inches deep and extend across the door and 18 inches beyond the latch side. See the diagram below for a representation of this standard.

Also, Standard 404.2.4.4, Floor or Ground Surface, states, “Floor or ground surface within required maneuvering clearances shall comply with [Standard] 302. Changes in level are not permitted. EXCEPTION: 1. Slopes not steeper than 1:48 shall be permitted.” Standard 302 applies to floor and ground surfaces, so Standard 404.2.4.4 is saying the maneuvering space has to be mostly level.

So this installation is sloped excessively and the maneuvering space is compromised by the flower arrangement on the latch side. This would be very difficult for someone using a wheelchair or walker to open and enter the building. The owner or tenant should have installed a level maneuvering space in front of the door, then a ramp up to the maneuvering space.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

Thank you.