The 5 pound force requirement is in reference to the maximum force to swing the door not the maximum force allowed to unlatch the exit device.
Ada door opening force.
The opening force limitation may be addressed in local codes with some local requirements ranging from 15 pounds to 5 pounds for exterior doors.
Typical maximum opening force for exterior doors ranges from 8 5 to 10 lbs.
Doors designated as fire doors must have the minimum opening force allowed by the local authority.
2 hand activated door opening hardware shall be centered between 30 inches and 44 inches above the floor.
It does not apply to the force required to retract bolts or to disengage other devices used to keep the door in a closed position.
Also state or local government codes may have specific.
The minimum force needed to ensure proper closure and positive latch usually exceeds the accessible limit of 5 pounds of force lbf required at other doors.
In earlier editions of the standards the opening force for exterior doors was addressed but the current a117 1 and ada standards do not include an opening force requirement for exterior doors.
The maximum force pertains to the continuous application of force necessary to fully open a door not the initial force needed to overcome the inertia of the door.
Do not jerk it open.
Any door so heavy that it prevents entrance by people with disabilities may deny them access to goods and services which is covered under the ada.
This way users are free to employ precisely the right type of automation needed for entrances without changing the entire mechanism.
Opening force for exterior doors is not specified in the ada standards but exterior doors that need to be accessible should have the minimum force possible.
Typical maximum opening force for exterior doors ranges from 8 5 to 10 lbs.
Open the door gradually.
The opening force of exterior swing doors is impacted by wind loading and other exterior conditions gasketing hvac systems energy efficiency and the weight of doors.
Such doors shall not open to back check faster than 3 seconds and shall require no more than 15 lbf 66 6n to stop door movement.
If a power assisted door is used its door opening force shall comply with 4 13 11 and its closing shall conform to the requirements in ansi a156 19 1984.
The ada standards do not specify the opening force for exterior doors though some state and local building codes may have requirements.
Do von duprin exit devices meet the 5 pound force requirement for opening an ada handicapped door opening.
Latching and locking doors that are hand activated and which are in a path of travel shall be operable with a single effort by lever type hardware by panic bars push pull activating bars or other hardware designed to provide passage.
