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Joined: 10/5/2009
Posts: 19
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What should the width of a door be to get a wheelchair through?
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Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 2710
 
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From ADA Acessibility guidlines: http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm 4.13.5 Clear Width. Doorways shall have a minimum clear opening of 32 in (815 mm) with the door open 90 degrees, measured between the face of the door and the opposite stop (see Fig. 24(a), (b), (c), and (d)). Openings more than 24 in (610 mm) in depth shall comply with 4.2.1 and 4.3.3 (see Fig. 24(e)). http://www.access-board.gov/ufas/ufas-html/ufas.htm This may be more helpful for your situation.
"Oldman" Wishing ALL a good day and a better one tomorrow from the central town of Owosso, Mi.48867
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Joined: 10/5/2009
Posts: 19
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Thank you very much. I am not in a wheel chair yet but doc says maybe later so I want to be ready.
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Joined: 6/14/2007
Posts: 1462
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Mofess, first of all, welcome to the group.. When you get a chance, it sure would be nice if you could drop down to the new members section and give us an introduction of yourself.. We always like a little info about new members.. helps in getting to know you better. Oldman sure is correct in the ADA minimum, but I'll tell you from experience that a 36" doorway is a LOT better to get through than a 32"... Your knuckles will appreciate the extra few inches.. HONEST.. I don't use a chair full time yet (only on the 'bad days').. but I will be in one full time at some point and we are taking that into consideration with the remodeling we are doing here too.. You might want to consider lever type handles for the doors... and don't forget about as open a floor plan as possible and the bathroom.. LOTS of things to consider.. but many of us here willing to help in any way we can.. Good luck (hope your doc is wrong) and welcome... Ez
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Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 2710
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mofess: EZ is correct (as usually) about making the opening 36" wide if possible. 32" is the minimum requirement not a suggested solution. Interior doors as well as an exterior door can be remodeled to 36" if there is no obstructions doing so. Not really that difficult also for a Handyman and there is plenty of capable Handymen here on this site willing to help you do so.
"Oldman"
Wishing ALL a good day and a better one tomorrow from the central town of Owosso, Mi.48867
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Joined: 6/13/2007
Posts: 2209
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Is there not a minimum for bathroom door widths and which way they open given the obstructions in a small bath?
San Antonio, Tx 78212...WHATEVER HITS THE FAN, WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED EVENLY.
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Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 2710
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Zipper: This is from the ADA Guidelines. As far as the door swing on Small Bathrooms I guess it would depend on the design of the bathroom. Note it states the door measurement is from the door open to 90° with a minumal of an opening at 32" 4.13.5 Clear Width. Doorways shall have a minimum clear opening of 32 in (815 mm) with the door open 90 degrees, measured between the face of the door and the opposite stop (see Fig. 24(a), (b), (c), and (d)). Openings more than 24 in (610 mm) in depth shall comply with 4.2.1 and 4.3.3 (see Fig. 24(e)).
"Oldman"
Wishing ALL a good day and a better one tomorrow from the central town of Owosso, Mi.48867
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Joined: 7/3/2007
Posts: 13
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Oldman is correct in the ADA rules, however, the standard wheelchair is about 28 inches wide. If you have someone pushing or pulling you, it will physically fit. As someone else so well stated, you knuckles and wrists will greatly appreciate the wider door. My wife has MS, in an electric chair that is only 28 inches and gets through 30 inch doors. WE did modify a couple of the doors with offset hinges. This moves the door back almost flush with the opening. We have been looking into building another house with an open floor plan, 36 inch or wider doors and make sure that the potty is accessible to those in wheelchair. Too many new houses have the potty stuck back in a closet and this is almost unaccessible to one in a wheelchair. And, if the person should fall from the potty and the wheelchair is blocking the access, then those who come in to get the fallen person off the floor can't get to the person until the chair is removed. That presents a whole other problem as you need a second person to put the wheelchair back in place while you transfer them back into the wheelchair.
Another person gave some wonderful information about the lever door handles. This is helpful to anyone who can't turn a door knob. All they have to do is pull down or push up the lever and it will open or close.
Ramps, cabinets, wheelchairs and some other issues are all to be carefully considered. I keep in shape by moving my wife from place to place. Hope you have a super day.
swampgator, Pensacola, FL (central time zone) Viet Nam vet
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