Accessibility to Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities

The ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act, ensures that commercial facilities comply with ADA design standards.  This creates a space without obstacles and barriers interrupting the flow of traffic.

Door opening width, door hardware, and entrance flooring slopes (including thresholds and ramps) are all important elements to consider when making a space ADA compliant.  When equipping ADA doors with low energy door openers or operators, there are some more ADA design standards to address.

ADA Door Clearance Requirements

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and BHMA (Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) mandate ADA clearance requirements.  ANSI/BHMA revise these standars approximately every five years for technological improvements.

ANSI A156.19 “Standard for Power Assist and Low Energy Power Operated Doors” is the national standard for low energy doors.  Any door that requires a “knowing act” such as pushing a wall switch or using any one of a number of various access control methods to start the automatic opening cycle is considered a “power operated door.”  Force, speed and time to evaluate a power operated door (commonly used in public schools, libraries, and office buildings).  It should require a minimal amount of force (measured in foot pounds) to stop, should travel slowly, and should remain open for a specified period of time before closing.  Proper safety signage is also an ANSI requirement for these doors.  “Power assist doors” reduce force needed to open a door while being pushed or pulled, and will start to close upon release.

What are ADA requirements on accessories?

Additional accessories we add to low energy ADA doors include electric strikes, panic bars, and access systems.  Maintenance and annual inspections to stay within ANSI/BHMA standards are highly recommended.

Low energy automatic pedestrian door openers for ADA doors are an easy to use, low cost, low maintenance solution.  Moreover, they take care of pedestrian comfort and access needs and make you ADA compliant.

So just what are ADA door clearance requirements?  To get more information on the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA design standards, follow the link below.

Americans with Disabilities Act info

www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adastd94.pdf

If you are ready to address ADA door clearance and get your facility up to ADA design standards, request a quote or take a look at our ADA door openers page.

Ensuring proper ADA door clearance isn’t just about checking a box for compliance—it’s about enabling safe, independent access for every individual who enters your facility. Whether your site serves the public, houses critical infrastructure, or operates as a high-security facility, ADA door clearance plays a vital role in both accessibility and operational safety.

From airports and military bases to utilities, healthcare facilities, and educational campuses, adhering to the required clearances ensures that automated entrances, ADA door openers, and access control systems all work in harmony without creating unintended barriers. Here’s what ADA door clearance entails, how it integrates with ADA door openers, and how your facility can plan installations that meet both the letter and the intent of the ADA.

What Is ADA Door Clearance?

ADA door clearance refers to the required space around and in front of a doorway to allow someone using a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility aid to approach, reach, open (if necessary), and pass through the doorway without obstruction.

According to the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, key clearance requirements include:

    32 inches minimum of clear opening width when the door is open to 90 degrees
    18 inches of clear space on the latch side (pull side) for front approach
    Clear floor or ground space beyond the door swing
    Maximum 5 pounds of opening force for interior doors (if not automated)

For doors equipped with ADA door openers, these clearances still apply—but the benefit is that users don’t need to pull or push the door manually. However, the opener’s activation button, push plate, or sensor must also be installed in a position that is reachable and usable by people of all abilities—typically 34 to 48 inches from the floor and with at least 48 inches of approach clearance.
Access and Clearance in Target Market Examples 1. Airports and Transportation Hubs

In busy environments like airports, ADA door clearance is critical at jet bridge entrances, restrooms, security checkpoints, and VIP lounges. Doorways must be wide enough for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and ADA door openers allow travelers to access these areas without help.

FDC installs automated systems that maintain full ADA compliance even in high-traffic zones. Clearance around gate areas ensures travelers aren’t trapped by luggage, crowding, or architectural constraints—especially important where space is at a premium.

2. Utilities and Industrial Facilities
Power plants, substations, and water treatment facilities often include heavy, reinforced doors or gatehouses. These doors, while secure, can be nearly impossible for individuals with disabilities to use unaided. Installing ADA door openers with proper clearance—such as 60-inch turning radii or sufficient latch-side approach zones—makes secure areas more accessible to authorized personnel.

In these cases, the door operator must also work in tandem with access control, allowing for card readers or biometric access to be reachable and usable without blocking door clearance zones.

3. Government and Municipal Buildings
City halls, courthouses, and administration buildings are required to meet strict ADA standards. In these locations, public entrances, hearing rooms, and restroom facilities all need automated access with compliant door clearance.

ADA door openers with clear approach paths and appropriate button placement ensure users don’t need assistance to enter or exit. FDC often installs recessed or wall-mounted buttons in strategic locations, avoiding furniture or signage that might obstruct the required clearance.

4. Hospitals and Clinics
Healthcare environments see a wide variety of patients, many of whom use wheelchairs, walkers, or mobility aids. For exam rooms, patient bathrooms, and emergency exits, both door width and clear approach space are critical. By installing ADA door openers and ensuring proper clearance on both sides of a door—especially in tight corridors—facilities reduce the risk of accidents and ensure patients and staff can move safely and independently.

The Bottom Line: ADA Door Clearance Enables True Accessibility

ADA door openers provide the function, but without the right ADA door clearance, they can still fall short of compliance. Whether your facility is installing new entries or retrofitting older ones, it’s essential to measure carefully, plan for unobstructed approaches, and place activation devices where all users can reach them.

At FDC, we understand the technical and code requirements behind ADA access—and we design every solution with real-world facility flow and compliance in mind. From site surveys to custom access control integration, we help Florida’s most critical facilities build entrances that are truly accessible.

Ready to evaluate your building’s ADA compliance? Visit FDC.com or contact us to schedule an access assessment today.