How to measure each one
- Opening force: push or pull the door with a force gauge at the latch side until it starts to move. The 5 lbf limit doesn't count the force needed to pull back the latch or release a lock.
- Closing time: open the door to 90 degrees, let go, and time how long it takes to reach 12 degrees from the closed position.
- Clear width: open the door to 90 degrees and measure from the face of the door to the stop on the opposite jamb.
- Hardware height: measure from the finished floor to the center of the handle, pull or lock.
- Threshold: measure the height from the floor on either side to the top of the threshold.
The usual fixes
Most failures come down to the closer. A closer that's too strong makes the door hard to open, and one that's adjusted too fast swings it shut before someone in a wheelchair is through. Both are usually adjustments, unless the closer is leaking oil or worn out, in which case it's replaced with one sized for the door. Knobs swap for levers, and a tall threshold can be replaced with a low or ramped one.
This is a quick check, not an inspection
The checker follows the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, sections 309 and 404. State and local codes can add their own requirements, and fire doors follow the rules your fire authority sets. For a formal answer, ask your building department or an accessibility specialist.
Questions
What is the ADA maximum opening force for a door?
5 pounds of force for interior hinged doors, sliding doors and folding doors. The figure doesn't include the force needed to pull back a latch or release a lock. Fire doors may need more, as set by the local fire authority.
How slowly does an ADA door have to close?
A door closer must take at least 5 seconds to move the door from 90 degrees open to a point 12 degrees from the latch. Spring hinges must take at least 1.5 seconds to close from 70 degrees.
Do exterior doors have an ADA opening force limit?
The 2010 ADA Standards don't set one for exterior doors, though many state and local codes do. Check your local building code.
Are round door knobs ADA compliant?
No. ADA hardware has to work with one hand without tight grasping or twisting of the wrist, and a round knob needs both. Levers and push or pull hardware meet the rule.
Is this checker an official inspection?
No. It's a quick check against the 2010 ADA Standards to show what to look at. Local codes can add requirements, so for a formal answer, ask your building department or an accessibility specialist.