I had an appointment this afternoon with my dermatologist. During the course of my visit, I needed to use the restroom. This was a newer building (around 3 years old) and the only restroom was placed outside the dermatologist’s suite of offices (whose doors were not power operated). I had to move my power wheelchair up to the counter and ask for assistance getting out into the hall to go outside the office to the restroom in the hallway of the building. I of course, had to repeat the process on the return. My question is, isn’t someone who manages or owns the building in violation of handicap laws recently enacted? If so, what can be done to inform them they are not in compliance?

July 8, 2014 by Brad Gaskins

— Lynne S. – Hickory, NC

ANSWER: Since there is not a public toilet room within the office an accessible toilet would not be required within the office. There are no requirements for an automatic or powered door at office entry. There is a requirement that interior doors be operable with 5lbs of force or less. Based upon the information provided, the only possible code violation would be if the entry door were not operable within 5 lbs of force or less.