I heard about you on The FM Innovator Podcast, and you brought up a very good point about door closure speeds and pressures. We had an incident with one of our restrooms where a woman was going into the restroom and got her hand and leg smashed into the door. The closure opens by a pressure plate and is automated but the closing of the door is on the hydraulic cylinder in the closure itself. What happened is the door went to close while she was in the transition with enough force that she was hurt. What devices or equipment would be of benefit to check those parameters that are in the ADA?

November 18, 2016 by Brad Gaskins

– David I.

ANSWER:

David,

Thanks for listening! I’m glad you found the information useful.

The requirements for the door are:

  • Must operate with a maximum pressure of 5 lbs
  • Must close from 90 degrees open to 12 degrees in 5 seconds maximum

You can use a stopwatch and a door pressure gauge to check the operating force. You can order a gauge here: http://www.hmc-international.com/dpg.htm

 

Thanks! I hope this helps.

-Brad

 

Figure 308.3.1

Brad Gaskins