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…That is the question.
As MOD’s Assistant Director of Community Services, I wanted to spend some time discussing automatic door openers. This is a very common topic that I get asked about. To paraphrase Shakespeare, “Are automatic door openers required or not required at entrances?”
Well, like anything, there are a couple of answers depending on the specific situation. In a perfect world, if an entrance is built compliant with both the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board’s rule and regulations (MAAB) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Design Standards, they would not be required. For example, if the door has the appropriate weight, maneuvering clearances, hardware, width, and level landings, the code would not require an automatic door opener be installed.
Automatic door opener at entrance of state building
This is where it gets a little complicated. The MAAB would require a variance if any of the above features could not be built compliant. Often times, to mitigate some of those issues, automatic door openers are ordered by the Board to be installed. However, if a project is having difficulty complying with the pull or push side clearances, the space needed to get to and open the door, or the actual weight of the door, automatic door openers can be installed to mitigate those issues without the need for a variance from the MAAB.
I personally like when designers use automatic door openers at entrances. It not only helps people who have difficulty opening the door due to a disability, but it also helps everyone: a parent pushing a stroller, a person carrying groceries, a person with limited upper body maneuverability, etc. Automatic door openers are useful to everyone.
If there is a structural access topic you would like discussed, please let me know. You can reach me at jeff.dougan@state.ma.us or 617-727-7440.
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Tags: accessible design, architectural access, building code, structural access
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I like how you said, "I personally like when designers use automatic door openers at entrances. It not only helps people who have difficulty opening the door due to a disability, but it also helps everyone: a parent pushing a stroller, a person carrying groceries, a person with limited upper body maneuverability, etc. Automatic door openers are useful to everyone". I cannot tell you how many times I have had my hands full of stuff and used the automatic door. I think that all doors should have that. It just makes sense and is so useful. http://www.platinumautodoors.com.au/breakdown-service
Hi Jason; thank you for your comment!
I personally like when designers use automatic door openers at entrances. It not only helps people who have difficulty opening the door due to a disability, but it also helps everyone. Automatic door openers are useful to everyone.
<a href="http://prestigedoors.co.nz/">automatic gates</a>
<a href='http://accessdoorandglass.com' >I think it's interesting that there's not a requirement across the board for automatic doors, because as you noted, they are a really big help for a lot of people. The fact that there are certain requirements that make the need for an automatic door irrelevant was really surprising. If it were up to me, I'd put automatic doors everywhere, including my house.</a>
I liked that you had mentioned that automatic doors can help people with disabilities as well as others who just have their hands full at the moment. A store in my small town recently added automatic doors. I'll be really grateful for these automatic doors once my child is born, my wife will be in and out of there often once our child is born and it will make everything so much easier on her. http://www.allied-door.com
Thanks for your comment about how automatic doors benefit everyone; not just the disabled. I like how you said that they can help mothers with strollers. If someone were looking into ADA handicapped doors, I would assume that they would keep this post in mind. http://www.wemovesafes.com/automatic-doors
Automatic door openers keep germs from spreading,my immine system does not work due to cancer,it should be a law at all gov. Buildings.
My immune system is gone due to cancer, the germ's are so bad on postal bldg. Plus I am disabled an weak.why not make it mandatory to have them.
It makes sense that sometimes an automatic door opener would be required in certain buildings. In others, I imagine that handicapped door openers are used because they still allow for automation without the use of cameras or something like that. At least it would be a little cheaper to put together.
http://www.doorsfixedright.com/installation.html
I definitely agree with having automatic doors for those who are disabled or for people who are carrying kids or other items. My grandpa just got into a wheelchair so it's been difficult for him to get in and out of his house. I'll have to look for a company that installs automatic doors and see if they could put one in his house. http://www.crawforddoornv.com/services/