The ADA requires that operable parts of door hardware be a minimum height of 34 inches and a maximum height of 48 inches, with a maximum required force of 5 pounds. That means the door closer resistance must be 5 pounds or less to accommodate users' various upper extremity abilities.
Handles, Pulls, Panic Bars
Door Hardware – ADA compliant locks, exit devices, handles, pulls, latches, and other operable parts on doors shall comply – Operable parts of such hardware shall be 34 inches minimum and 48 inches maximum above the finish floor or ground.
Lever handles, U-shaped pulls, and certain loop handles are often compliant with ADA guidelines as they don't require tight grasping or twisting of the wrist.
Handles, pulls, latches, locks and other operating devices on accessible doors shall have a shape that is easy to grasp with one hand and does not require tight grasping, tight pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate. Lever operated mechanisms, push-type mechanisms and U-shaped handles are acceptable designs.
To assure passage of people using wheelchairs, or crutches, the opening must be at least 32 inches wide. If it is not readily achievable to provide a minimum 32 inch wide opening, then the opening should be as wide as possible.
The ADA requires that operable parts of door hardware be a minimum height of 34 inches and a maximum height of 48 inches, with a maximum required force of 5 pounds. That means the door closer resistance must be 5 pounds or less to accommodate users' various upper extremity abilities.
The height of the door handle must be between a minimum of 34” and a maximum of 48”.
Handles that do not meet accessibility guidelines for doors include a round, single-knob door handle and thumb-latch or finger-pull doorknobs that provide less than 1 1/2 inches of clearance. Among the types of accessible door handles are lever-type and push-pull handles.
Operable parts shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.
Space at least 60″ deep in front of a door will accommodate a forward approach, except in case of hinge approaches on the pull side. On the pull side of hinge approaches, 36″ minimum latch-side clearance is required if the depth is 60″ minimum (The depth can be 54″ minimum if the latch-side clearance is at least 42″.)
Places of worship and other facilities controlled by a religious organization, such as a school or day care center, are not subject to the ADA Standards. Private clubs may be similarly exempt depending on their exclusiveness, operations, and other factors.
It depends on the size of the drawer. Standard base and wall cabinets are usually between 12 and 36 inches. If this is the case, it's typical to use 3- or 4-inch pull handles. If your cabinets are larger than standard, you'll need larger pulls.
Requirements for Fire Alarm Systems
The pull lever cannot require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. In addition, the pull lever should be within reach range or between 48 inches and 15 inches above the finish floor or ground.
Designed for inclusivity, all pulls have a minimum opening width of 4" and a minimum opening depth of 1" (based on typical door/drawer facing dimensions), allowing them to be operated with one hand but without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
Minimum maneuvering clearances at doors and gates shall comply with 404.2. 4. Maneuvering clearances shall extend the full width of the doorway and the required latch side or hinge side clearance.
Accessibility Guidelines and Standards
The 2010 Standards replace DOJ's original 1991 ADA Standards (see below) and are the most current ADA standards from the federal government.
Dental Code D4241 refers to a specific dental procedure known as the Gingival Flap Procedure with Root Planing. This procedure is performed on one to three adjacent teeth or tooth-bounded spaces within a single quadrant of the mouth.
Clear Floor or Ground Space [§305]
Sufficient clear floor or ground space is required at accessible controls, operable parts, drinking fountains, lavatories and sinks, ATMs and fare machines, appliances, beds, and other elements.
Lever Handles: ADA guidelines specify that door handles should be operable with a single hand and without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting. The height range for operable parts is typically between 34 inches (865 mm) and 48 inches (1220 mm) above floor level.
All circulation paths must have a minimum vertical clearance of 80 inches. In areas where the clearance needs to be less than 80 inches, such as an open stairway, a guardrail, or another type of barrier, a leading edge must be provided that can be detected with a cane so it cannot be higher than 27 inches.
People living with disabilities or with mobility restrictions can operate a levered handle without requiring any grip strength, and they can even be operated using a mobility aid such as a cane. These door handles should be installed between 34 and 48 inches from the floor.
The height of a handle on a door is typically 36 inches but can range from 34 to 48 inches high. Door handle height is measured from the bottom edge of the door to the center of the handle. This height places the door handle just below the vertical center of the door.
The simple answer that the operable part of the pull station needs to be at least 42 in. (1.07 m), and not more than 48 in. (1.22 m), above the finished floor. Additionally, one pull station needs to be within 5 ft (1.5 m) of each exit doorway on each floor where required to be installed in a building.
The bottom fixing of the pull handle should be fixed between 700mm and 1000mm above the finished floor level. The top fixing of the pull handle should be fixed no lower than 1300mm above the finished floor level.