Heavy traffic doorways into buildings or restrooms tends to create major barriers for individuals with disabilities. Today, more than 50 million Americans live with a disability, and many businesses are turning to American Disabilities Act (ADA) approved door hardware to allow people to easily access and navigate throughout buildings safely and comfortably.
Convenience
ADA approved door hardware doesn’t only benefit individuals with disabilities, but it also benefits parents with small children, parents with strollers, and individuals pushing shopping carts. Imagine how difficult it would be to have your hands full of shopping bags and attempt to push open a non-automatic door. Sometimes we take for granted the convenience of automatic doorways because we are used to seeing them in so many high-traffic shopping stores.
Hygiene
Take a moment and imagine how many customers shop at your local department store in one single day. Some of the largest department stores, such as Walmart or Target, receive thousands of customers in a day. Fortunately, these stores have ADA approved door hardware. If they didn’t, each and every customer would be touching the door handle when they were entering and exiting the store. Germs and bacteria reside on doors and door handles and is continually spread from person to person in high traffic stores. ADA approved doors help to eliminate the germ barrier and maintain a cleaner environment for everyone.
Financially Beneficial
When your business is ADA compliant, someone with a disability will feel much more comfortable visiting your business. Customers will recognize that you care about the wellbeing of all customers, and happy customers equals more sales. It’s a win-win for both you and your customers.
If you are interested in making your business ADA approved, but concerned about the money required to install door openers, closers, or door hardware, you aren’t alone. ADA compliant businesses may be eligible for tax breaks, saving you money in the long term.
ADA Requirements
The ADA requires that businesses or buildings that offer services to the general public, called “places of public accommodation,” and were built after January 26, 1992, are required to be fully accessible to people with disabilities.
They also require that at least one door must be ADA accessible in the following locations:
- 60% of public entrances must be wheelchair accessible
- Entrances to buildings from all parking structures
- Along a building’s escape or emergency evacuation route
- Every tenant space in a mall
For hinged, sliding, and folding doors, there must be at least 32 inches of clear width to be compliant with the ADA standards. ADA hardware must not require more than 5 pounds of force to operate. ADA approved door handles and levels do not require any twisting or tight grasping in order to operate. The average round door handles are not ADA compliant because they require twisting of the wrist in order to use. Click here to learn more about other ADA guidelines, such as thresholds, maneuvering space, “peepholes”, door closing speed, force, and door surfaces.
Meet ADA Standards with Strauss Security Solutions
Strauss Security Solutions in Des Moines offers ADA approved door levers, exit devices, and door openers and closers. Our team at Strauss will provide you with quality ADA products and professional installation for your business in Central Iowa. To check for ADA approved products, make sure to look for the handicap symbol. Contact Strauss Security Solutions in Des Moines for more information about the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)product requirements and for a full list of ADA approved products we supply.
Call Strauss Today! 515-276-7030
