Want Help Unlocking Opportunities? Maximizing Benefits of ADA Commercial Door Accessibility

ADA-compliant commercial doors can offer various benefits to commercial facilities and save facilities money on ADA violations. Take a look at this article for more information.

If you own a commercial property, you will find out that there are rules and regulations revolving around the accessibility to your facility that require ADA compliance. These guidelines ensure everyone has access to commercial buildings, even those with disabilities.

Even though ADA-compliant doors can be mandatory in many situations, they should also be installed for customer service and an inviting environment, ensuring your commercial property is accessible to everyone.

This article will discuss what ADA commercial doors are, the best types to use in your building, and the critical beneficial features that make these doors so inviting. 
 

ADA Commercial Door Requirements

The ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act, requires certain facilities to provide easy access to all visitors, including those who cannot utilize traditional doors. This means providing entrances for anyone with a wheelchair who can't walk up steps and those who can't open regular doors.

The rules are pretty straightforward and include:

• A width of at least 32 inches and must open at 90° (at least one of two swinging doors must meet these requirements)
• Cannot require 5 lbs or more to open or close (an automatic door is mandatory if the door is heavier than the required weight)
• 5 second minimum closing speed
• Levers instead of knobs for easier grasp
• Vision lights on doors and side panels surrounding doors

Various compliance requirements apply to the surrounding doorway areas, which we will touch on in a bit.

All compliance guidelines are implemented to give everyone access to the same commercial facilities without discrimination against disabilities and physical barriers.

Should a Primary Entrance Be Accessible for All Commercial Buildings?

ADA compliance can look a little different depending on whether the commercial building in question is a new building or an existing building. 

According to the U.S. Government, "At least 60% of public entrances must be accessible in new construction, in addition to entrances directly serving tenancies, parking facilities, pedestrian tunnels, and elevated walkways."

This requirement means that any company building a new facility must ensure a minimum of 60% of public entrances are accessible to everyone, including those suffering from a disability. 

To meet the requirements, entryways must include ramps, railings, cleared space, etc.

Wheelchair Requirements for Doorways on Commercial Buildings

Doorways must accommodate wheelchairs, but aside from how the door functions, the path to the doorway must also be accessible.

To be ADA compliant, commercial buildings must offer:

• Ramps
• Cut curbs from the parking lot to the building
• Grab bars and railing

When installing handrails, the elements can not overlap with the clearance space for maneuvering. The maneuvering space is required to ensure people with disabilities have adequate room to navigate the entranceway safely and comfortably.

Compliance Exceptions for Existing Buildings

Existing commercial buildings must abide by the ADA regulations, just like new buildings. However, a few exceptions can lessen the extent of additions or renovations.

• If the cost of barrier removal exceeds 20% of the amount required to provide alterations, that would affect the space's primary function.
• Barrier removal does not apply to current operating controls, electrical outlets, hardware, signs, and windows.

While existing commercial buildings might have a pass for now, that doesn't mean you should hold off on upgrading your commercial doors if possible.

According to a 2017 report from the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics, nearly 13% of the population in the United States is considered disabled. That is a massive number of people who cannot enter your facility if you are not prepared.

What Happens if Compliance Is Not Followed?

Just because rules and regulations are implemented doesn't mean all commercial buildings will follow them. Unfortunately for them, this will result in severe consequences, whether they have a good reason for it or not.

An excellent example of non-compliance in mass quantities is the public school system throughout the U.S. since many of these buildings were built before the requirements were developed. Many school facilities and classrooms built before 1992 may not be ADA-compliant with state, local, and federal building codes. If inspected, they're vulnerable to multiple code violations.

What types of repercussions could they face? After a warning and time to complete renovations, commercial buildings could receive up to $75,000 in fines for their first offense and $150K for subsequent offenses, imposed by federal law. Not to mention potential lawsuits and loss of reputation.

Maximize the Benefits of ADA Commercial Doors

The ADA commercial door accessibility requirements ensure access to the public, ensuring basic needs are met.

However, high-quality commercial door providers want to offer companies the opportunity to provide every customer with top-line services, starting with their doors.

How Can ADA Commercial Door Improve Your Facility?

There are various vital features available with commercial door systems. Each feature provides user-friendly, high-quality, and reliable doorway access. How? With advanced technology, doors can perform many more crucial tasks than simply blocking access to a room.

When you Install ADA compliant doors, you offer the public access to your services without discrimination, increasing your reputation and improving your business.

The key features to look for when installing your ADA commercial doors include:

• Automation: Removes the need to open doors, providing access to those with physical disabilities, and reduces the spread of illness through surface contact.
• Fire Protection: Fire doors are perfect for peace of mind, providing a layer of protection in the case of a fire outbreak.
• Automatic Locks: Automatic locks make securing an entryway or exit easier, even if you can't access the door manually. 
• Slow Speed Closing Time: Getting through a door with a wheelchair, scooter, or crutches can take additional time; slow closing speeds ensure the safety of those using these doors.
• Ample Space: ADA commercial doors are designed to provide plenty of space, making it easy to pass through an entranceway.
• Smooth Flooring: Even door systems that use tracks are designed to make moving through the entrance smooth and easy.
• Control Buttons: Open and closing doors with a push of a button ensures everyone can operate commercial doors without any trouble.
• Card Access: Not only are card access door openers ideal for security, but they can make things easier for employees with disabilities to gain entrance to the work site.

When you install doors that abide by the ADA regulations, you offer security, health protection, and a welcoming environment. 

According to the 2021 edition of the International Building Code (IBC), the new regulations say that buildings with an occupancy load greater than 300 must now have one door, either a full power-operated door or a low-energy power-operated door.

Types of Commercial Doors that Follow ADA Compliance

There are numerous options out there when you are looking to purchase an ADA-compliant commercial door. However, not all compliant door systems are the same, so you must only purchase from a company with an excellent reputation and plenty of expertise and experience in the field.

The doors below are typically ADA-compliant and will make entry into your commercial building easier for all. They are available through Door Services Corporation.

• Sliding glass doors
• Swinging doors with operators
• Folding doors
• Bullet resistant doors
• Fire security doors

Whether you are looking for compliant entrance doors to provide access to your building or compliant internal doors to make it easy for everyone to maneuver through the inside, plenty of great options are available.

Why Call Door Services Corporation for ADA-Compliant Commercial Door Systems?

When you need an ADA-compliant commercial door system installed that you can count on to keep you in regulation and keep your customers happy, Door Services Corporation has your back.

Our expert staff has plenty of experience installing automatic door opener systems to ensure all codes and regulations are followed to a T.

Plus, we offer a wide range of door options, features, and services to customize your experience while working with us. Customers are in control of obtaining the automatic door systems they want and need with the help of professionals who can make it happen safely and securely.

Once finished, we can provide annual maintenance and timely services whenever you need us, making Door Services Corporation the #1 door installation company.

Contact Us Today for an ADA Compliant Commercial Door System That You Can Count On

Don't wait until you fail your next inspection; contact a professional door installment company that can keep you within regulation with style.

Our friendly staff is ready and waiting to set up your system now. Call our office at 800-492-2392 or complete the online form to request a quote from Door Services Corporation.