{"id":43881,"date":"2023-01-12T16:18:33","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T21:18:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trillium.group\/content\/?p=43881"},"modified":"2026-02-26T15:50:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T20:50:04","slug":"top-5-requirements-for-barrier-free-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trillium.group\/content\/top-5-requirements-for-barrier-free-doors\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Requirements for Barrier-Free Doors"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Introduction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Ontario Building Code (OBC) has a number of requirements for doors and hardware that are designed to promote barrier-free accessibility.<\/p>

Automatic door operators are usually the first things that come to mind, but there are many other details to consider when it comes to ensuring doors meet the barrier-free codes.\u00a0<\/p>

Here is our list of the top<\/strong> 5 requirements for barrier-free doors.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>

This information is adapted from OBC 2024 Building Code Compendium Volume 1, Section 3.8.3.3.(1) – Doorways and Doors.<\/em><\/p>

Disclaimer:<\/u> This list summarizes basic information and is meant only as a partial introduction to the topic of barrier-free code compliance requirements.\u00a0 Please refer directly to the OBC and\/or other applicable codes and standards before making any design decisions. Specific conditions, exceptions and interpretations can create unique applications that are not covered in this article. <\/em><\/p>

If you have questions about a particular application, reach out to our consulting team here<\/u>.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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1. Clear Door Opening Width<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There can be a big difference between the width of a door and the opening\u2019s actual clear opening width (COW). Frame stops, perimeter seals, hinges, and the thickness of the door are just some of the factors that can reduce the clear opening, which can easily be 100mm (approx. 4\u201d) less than the width of the door panel.<\/p>

The OBC states that every doorway in a barrier-free path of travel must have a clear opening of at least 850mm<\/strong> when the door is in the open position.\u00a0 Research shows this dimension allows passage for the vast majority wheeled mobility devices.<\/p>

In recent years, the typical width of a single swing door<\/strong> has grown from 915mm (approx. 36\u201d) to 965mm (approx. 38\u201d) to allow for the 850mm minimum clear opening requirement when the door is open to 90 degrees.<\/p>

Widths of glass, pivot and specialty doors must to be reviewed with their specific hardware to ensure the clear opening requirement is met.<\/p>

The code also notes specific restrictions on projections into the clear opening,<\/strong> such as those from door- or frame-mounted hardware:<\/p>