**DSC Design Standard for Automatic Door Openers**

**Exterior Doors:**

All buildings classified as IBC Assembly and/or Business occupancy
spaces shall provide power-assisted door openers on the main entry door
and other doors required for program access.

**Exceptions:**

-   Single occupancy spaces are exempt.

-   Restrooms without power are exempt.

-   Historic structures - the exceptions in ABAAS for alterations to
    qualified historic buildings or facilities shall be permitted to
    apply. See ABAAS 202.5, and F206.4 Exception 2.

-   Main entry has a vestibule with exterior and interior doors: at
    least one of the active leaves of the exterior door and at least one
    of the active leaves of the interior door in the vestibule shall
    have power-assisted door openers.

**Interior doors:**

Interior doors are not required to have automatic door openers if they
meet the requirements of ABAAS Section 404. Interior doors on the
accessible route through the building that cannot meet Section 404
requirements shall have power assisted door openers.

**References:**

1.  **INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE® (IBC)**

> **SECTION 302 - CLASSIFICATION**
>
> **302.1 General.** Structures or portions of structures shall be
> classified with respect to occupancy in one or more of the groups
> listed below. A room or space that is intended to be occupied at
> different times for different purposes shall comply with all of the
> requirements that are applicable to each of the purposes for which the
> room or space will be occupied. Structures with multiple occupancies
> or uses shall comply with Section 508. Where a structure is proposed
> for a purpose that is not specifically provided for in this code, such
> structure shall be classified in the group that the occupancy most
> nearly resembles, according to the fire safety and relative hazard
> involved.
>
> 1\. Assembly (see Section 303): Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5
>
> 2\. Business (see Section 304): Group B
>
> 3\. Educational (see Section 305): Group E
>
> 4\. Factory and Industrial (see Section 306): Groups F-1 and F-2
>
> 5\. High Hazard (see Section 307): Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5
>
> 6\. Institutional (see Section 308): Groups I-1, I-2, I-3 and I-4
>
> 7\. Mercantile (see Section 309): Group M
>
> 8\. Residential (see Section 310): Groups R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4
>
> 9\. Storage (see Section 311): Groups S-1 and S-2
>
> 10\. Utility and Miscellaneous (see Section 312): Group U

2.  **Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS)**

> [***http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/final.cfm***](http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/final.cfm)
>
> ***F202.5 Alterations to Qualified Historic Buildings and
> Facilities***.  Alterations to a qualified historic building or
> facility shall comply with 202.3 and 202.4.
>
> EXCEPTION:  Where the State Historic Preservation Officer or Advisory
> Council on Historic Preservation determines that compliance with the
> requirements for accessible routes, entrances, or toilet facilities
> would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or
> facility, the exceptions for alterations to qualified historic
> buildings or facilities for that element shall be permitted to apply.
>
> ***F206.4 Entrances.**  Entrances shall be provided in accordance with
> **F206.4.**  Entrance doors, doorways, and gates shall comply with 404
> and shall be on an accessible route complying\
> with 402.*
>
> ***EXCEPTIONS:** *
>
> ***1.** Where an alteration includes alterations to an entrance, and
> the building or facility has another entrance complying with 404 that
> is on an accessible route, the altered entrance shall not be required
> to comply with F206.4 unless required by F202.4.*
>
> ***2.**  Where exceptions for alterations to qualified historic
> buildings or facilities are permitted by F202.5, no more than one
> public entrance shall be required to comply with F206.4.  Where no
> public entrance can comply with F206.4 under criteria established in
> F202.5 Exception, then either an unlocked entrance not used by the
> public shall comply with F206.4; or a locked entrance complying with
> F206.4 with a notification system or remote monitoring shall be
> provided.*
>
> ***F206.4.1 Public Entrances. ** In addition to entrances required by
> F206.4.2 through F206.4.9, at least 60 percent of all public entrances
> shall comply with 404.*
>
> ***404.2.2 Double-Leaf Doors and Gates**.  At least one of the active
> leaves of doorways with two leaves shall comply with 404.2.3 and
> 404.2.4.*
>
> ***404.2.8 Closing Speed.** Door and gate closing speed shall comply
> with 404.2.8.*
>
> ***404.2.8.1 Door Closers and Gate Closers.** Door closers and gate
> closers shall be adjusted so that from an open position of 90 degrees,
> the time required to move the door to a position of 12 degrees from
> the latch is 5 seconds minimum.*
>
> ***404.2.8.2 Spring Hinges.** Door and gate spring hinges shall be
> adjusted so that from the open position of 70 degrees, the door or
> gate shall move to the closed position in 1.5 seconds minimum.*
>
> ***404.2.9 Door and Gate Opening Force.** Fire doors shall have a
> minimum opening force allowable by the appropriate administrative
> authority. The forces for pushing or pulling open a door or gate other
> than fire doors shall be as follows:*
>
> *1. Interior hinged doors and gates: 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.*
>
> *2. Sliding or folding doors: 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.*