Opening Doors

Restroom doors provide us with ease of ingress and egress in public as well as private places. For users with limited mobility, narrow entrance and toilet compartment doors can be both challenging and a hindrance.

Entrance Doors

The word “Doors” is used 158 times in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.  Readers are led to Section 404.2 Manual Doors, Doorways and Manual Gates and to 603 Toilet and Bathing Rooms and 603.2.3 Door Swing and Section 304 Turning Space (and door swing). There seems to be no dimensions specific to the restroom door maximum widths, but overall door entrance dimensions and swing are contained in Sections 404 and 304.4 Door Swing.

The Standard states that revolving doors and gates should not be part of an accessible route. Door opening should provide a clearance of 32” minimum with no projections large than 4”.

Clear Width of Doorways

Clearance

Maneuvering clearance for doors are indicated in 404.2.4 stating that clearances shall extend the full width of the doorway and the required latch side or hinge side clearance in 404.2.4.1. For widths less than 36” are referenced in 404.2.4.2.

Advisories

There are many advisories for doors. “Advisory” notes are provided for informational purposes only and are not mandatory. The notes have been added or revised based on comments or revisions to text. Advisory notes try to clarify the meaning of requirement or provide recommendations for good practice and specific to the application.

• Advisory 404.1 General Exception. Security personnel must have sole control of doors that are eligible for the Exception at 404.1. It would not be acceptable for security personnel to operate the doors for people with disabilities while allowing others to have independent access.
• Advisory 404.2.4.3 Recessed Doors and Gates. A door can be recessed due to wall thickness or because of the placement of casework and other fixed elements adjacent to the doorway. This provision must be applied wherever doors are recessed.
• Advisory 404.2.9 Door and Gate Opening Force. The maximum force pertains to the continuous application of force necessary to fully open a door, not the initial force needed to overcome the inertia of the door. It does not apply to the force required to retract bolts or to disengage other devices used to keep the door in a closed position.
• Advisory 224.1.2 Guest Room Doors and Doorways. Because of the social interaction that often occurs in lodging facilities, an accessible clear opening width is required for doors and doorways to and within all guest rooms, including those not required to be accessible. This applies to all doors, including bathroom doors, that allow full user passage. Other requirements for doors and doorways in Section 404 do not apply to guest rooms not required to provide mobility features.

The advisories tell us the security personnel that must have access, a door can be recessed and the maximum force necessary to open a door.

Exceptions  

1. Doors to a toilet room or bathing room for a single occupant accessed only through a private office and not for common use or public use shall be permitted to swing into the clear floor space or clearance provided the swing of the door can be reversed to comply with 603.2.3. and 603 Toilet and Bathing Rooms.
2. Where the toilet room or bathing room is for individual use and a clear floor space complying with 305.3 is provided within the room beyond the arc of the door swing, doors shall be permitted to swing into the clear floor space or clearance required for any fixture.

There seems to be no specific requirement for design, finishes or aesthetics so it is the designer’s choice. The basic requirements deal with maneuverability and clearances. ADA requirements deal with the width of the door and the handle pressure to open it.

Toilet Compartment or Stall Doors

4.17.5* Doors. Toilet stall doors, including door hardware, shall comply with 4.13 Doors. If toilet stall approach is from the latch side of the stall door, clearance between the door side of the stall and any obstruction may be reduced to a minimum of 42”.

*A4.17.5 Doors. To make it easier for wheelchair users to close toilet stall doors, doors can be provided with closers, spring hinges, or a pull bar mounted on the inside surface of the door near the hinge side.

Toilet Stalls, Standard Stall

604.8.1.2 Doors. Toilet compartment doors, including door hardware, shall comply with 404 Door, Doorways, and Gates except that if the approach is to the latch side of the compartment door, clearance between the door side of the compartment and any obstruction shall be 42” minimum. Doors shall be located in the front partition or in the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the front partition, the door opening shall be 4” maximum from the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the side wall or partition, the door opening shall be 4” maximum from the front partition. The door shall be self-closing. A door pull complying with 404.2.7 shall be placed on both sides of the door near the latch. Toilet compartment doors shall not swing into the minimum required compartment area.

Advisory 404.1 General Exception. Security personnel must have sole control of doors that are eligible for the Exception at 404.1. It would not be acceptable for security personnel to operate the doors for people with disabilities while allowing others to have independent access.

Generally speaking, toilet compartment doors should be located in the front partition or in the sidewall and variety of standard closing methods are indicated in the specification. Toilet doors should meet the dimensional specification of ingress and egress as noted. Toilet doors are utilitarian and should conform to design requirements within the specifications or as directed by a designer.

Manufacturers

Although there are many manufacturers of doors for ADA restrooms, here are a few to consider.

Marvin Doors. Marvin experts are experienced in working with architects, builders, and homeowners to ensure your vision becomes a reality.

Trustile Doors. All TruStile® doors can be manufactured to meet ADA requirements and guidelines. The information below has been compiled to provide a high-level overview of primary ADA requirements for doors.

ASICO Door. ASICO designs and manufactures qualified fire-rated doors and common solid core doors for all types of commercial buildings, including banks, hotels, schools, office complexes, retail stores, restaurants, and industrial premises.

Andersen Windows & Doors. Andersen, a privately held company, was founded in 1903 by Danish immigrant Hans Andersen and his family in Hudson, Wisconsin, where logs arrived via the St. Croix River. Today, headquartered in Bayport, Minnesota, Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen®, Renewal by Andersen®, EMCO®, Weiland®, MQ™ and Heritage™ brands. Find out more on their website.

JELD-WEN. JELD-WEN, founded in 1960, is one of the world’s largest door and window manufacturers, operating manufacturing facilities in 20 countries located primarily in North America, Europe and Australia. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., JELD-WEN designs, produces and distributes an extensive range of interior and exterior doors, wood, vinyl and aluminum windows and related products for use in the new construction and repair and remodeling of residential homes and non-residential buildings. Find out more on their website.

Masonite. Masonite International Corp. is a leading global designer, manufacturer and distributor of interior and exterior doors for the new construction and repair, renovation and remodeling sectors of the residential and non-residential building construction markets. Since 1925, Masonite has provided its customers with innovative products and superior service at compelling values. Find out more on their website.

Sun Mountain.  Founded in 1998, Sun Mountain, Inc., is a privately held manufacturer of custom high-end millwork products, headquartered in Berthoud, Colorado (near Fort Collins). Sun Mountain products are manufactured in northern Colorado. The company offers high quality products made with locally and regionally sourced materials. Find out more on their website.

Trudoor. Trudoor is a family-owned and operated company with corporate headquarters in Phoenix. Its founder has worked in the commercial door and hardware industry for over 40 years and previously co-owned a distributorship in Chicago, IL for 15 years, before relocating to Arizona. Trudoor provides 1-3/4″ thick solid core, architectural grade flush wood doors, pre-finished wood doors, plastic laminate doors and mineral core fire doors for a variety of commercial and institutional applications, including office buildings, hotels, hospitals, medical centers, schools, apartment buildings and more. Find out more on their website.

Ironwood Toilet Partitions. Ironwood was established in 1972 in the Seattle, Washington area to service a growing demand for aesthetically pleasing toilet partitions as an alternative to traditional stalls. Our company continues to introduce new and innovative design options.

Tex-Lam Mfg. Inc. Tex-Lam manufactures toilet compartments with high-pressure decorative laminate (HPDL), Compact Laminate/Solid Phenolic Core or HDPE solid plastic and offer the widest range of colors available in the industry for design needs. Tex-Lam can accommodate special hardware and special types of core materials if needed, to meet job specifications.

Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. Bobrick is a recognized name in well-designed, value-oriented restroom accessories and toilet partitions. You will find partitions on their website.

Bradley Corporation. Bradley is one of the most complete and advanced manufacturers of commercial washrooms, and comprehensive solutions for emergency, safety, and industrial applications. With privacy emerging as a key user preference in commercial restrooms, partitions for bathrooms add extra height, width, and No-Site options to create the feeling of a private individual room.

Metpar. Metpar Corp., based in Westbury, NY,  is one of the leading manufacturers of restroom partitions in the US. Established in 1952, Metpar is one of the oldest continuous manufacturers of commercial restroom partitions today with an offering that includes 7 different material types. Find out more on their website.

Privada. PRIVADA is manufactured with unmatched precision and attention to detail, ensuring a quality product fit for only the most exclusive applications. All partitions are designed in California and New York and manufactured in the American heartland. Find out more on their website.

Sterling Surfaces. Based in Sterling, MA, Sterling Surfaces is a group of solid surface fabricators, designers, and engineers. Using advanced thermoforming techniques and CNC based fabrication, they  move your design off the computer screen and into an actual product. They have been working with architects, designers, and homeowners for over 24 years. Find out more on their website.

Hadrian Inc. Hadrian is a worldwide supplier of quality toilet partition and locker products. Hadrian’s wide range of toilet partition products includes powder coated metal, stainless steel, embossed stainless steel, and solid plastic. Find out more on their website.

Scranton Products. With over 30 years of experience, Scranton Products is an industry leader in plastic bathroom partitions and lockers. Constructed from premium, American-made solid plastic, their products resist dents, scratches, corrosion, graffiti and mildew. Scranton Products is located in Scranton, PA and is a Division of the AZEK Co. Find out more on their website.

Sanymetal. Originally founded in Cleveland, OH in 1916, Sanymetal is the oldest and one of the most recognized brands of restroom partitions in the US. Currently headquartered in Westbury, NY, Sanymetal is 100% made in the US. Find out more on their website.

Global Partitions. Global Partitions, part of the ASI Group, manufacturers toilet partitions in powder coated steel, stainless steel, and solid plastic to black core phenolic, color-thru phenolic, and plastic laminate in any mounting styles. Find out more on their website.

General Partitions. General Partitions, based in Erie, PA, manufactures a full line of toilet partitions. As one of the finest quality toilet partitions in the industry, they stand behind their products with over 50 years of manufacturing experience allowing them to manufacture and ship on time. Find out more on their website.