Door Sizing Simplified: A Guide for Specifiers
As an architect or planner, door sizing is a crucial aspect to consider in building design. It's essential to ensure that doors are the correct size and dimension for accessibility, safety, and functionality. However, it can often be a complex and confusing process.
This guide provides clear and concise information on door sizing standards, regulations, and best practices so that your building design meets all the requirements.
Understanding Door Measurements
Understanding door measurement is critical to ensuring that a project's doors function properly, provide adequate access, and comply with building codes and regulations.
When specifying door measurements, architects must consider several factors, including the type of door, the size of the door, and the location of the door.
Door Types
Before we dive into door sizing, it's important to understand the various types of doors used in construction.
Swing Doors
Swing doors are the most commonly used type of commercial door. The clear opening width and height are typically used to determine the size of a swing door. The clear opening width is the distance between the door frame and the finished floor, while the clear opening height is the distance between the finished floor and the underside of the frame head.
Sliding Doors
Sliding doors are yet another popular type of commercial door and are commonly used in areas with limited space. Like swing doors, the size of a sliding door is typically determined by the clear opening width and height.
Revolving Doors
Revolving doors are less common, but they are frequently used in high-traffic areas like airports and hotels. They are made up of a rotating panel in the center surrounded by fixed panels. The diameter of the central rotating panel determines the size of a revolving door.
Door Location
The measurements required can also be affected by the location of the door. Doors used in high-traffic areas, such as hospitals or airports, may need to be larger to accommodate the flow of people. Specific measurement requirements may apply to doors used in areas with specific functions, such as fire-rated doors or acoustic doors.
Door Size
The size of the door is a critical factor that architects must consider. At dormakaba, we offer a range of standard door sizes to meet the needs of different building types and applications.
Standard door size
The standard door size ranges in width from 2 feet 8 inches to 3 feet 6 inches and in height from 6 feet 8 inches to 8 feet. These dimensions are determined by industry standards and codes such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the International Building Code (IBC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Custom Door Sizes
We offer custom door sizes in addition to standard door sizes to meet the specific needs of our customers. Our custom door sizes range from small to large, as well as non-standard shapes and configurations. We design and manufacture custom doors to meet any project specifications thanks to our extensive manufacturing capabilities.
Choosing the Right Door Size
There are several factors that architects and planners need to consider when determining the best door size for a project. These are some examples:
Intended Use
The intended use of the door will play an important role in determining the appropriate size. A wheelchair-accessible door, for example, must meet respective country standards for clear width.
Occupancy Load
The space's occupancy load will also influence the appropriate door size. A building with a high occupancy load, such as a theatre or assembly hall, may require larger doors or more exits to ensure that occupants can safely and quickly evacuate the building in the event of an emergency. Additionally, doors in high-occupancy areas may require panic hardware or fire-rated features to meet safety standards and ensure occupant safety.
Aesthetics
The size, style and finish of the door should complement and fit in with the overall design of the building. Doors are available in a wide range of standard and custom finishes including doors that can be clad to match surrounding finishes.
Building Codes
When selecting the right door size, it's critical to keep building codes in mind. These codes specify door size requirements based on the type of building and intended use.
dormakaba is dedicated to providing high-quality doors that meet our customers' specific requirements. Our team of experts can assist you in determining the best door size for your project, whether standard or custom.
Accessibility for People with Disabilities
Clear Opening Widths
For a wheelchair to pass through a door comfortably, it should follow local standards. These standards may differ depending on the type of building or intended use of the door.
While the ADA of United states requires a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches for interior doors and 36 inches for exterior doors, NBCC of Canada requires a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches for all doors, Part M of the UK's building regulations requires a minimum clear opening width of 31.5 inches for external doors and 29.5 inches for internal doors and the European Union has established standards 47.2 inches for exits serving disabled persons.
Working with a seasoned supplier, such as dormakaba, can help ensure that your doors meet all relevant accessibility standards and requirements.
Door Hardware
For people with disabilities, levers or round door handles work better than knobs since they are simpler to grasp and operate. To make it easier for those with visual impairments to see, the door hardware should also be a different color from the wall and door.
Thresholds
To allow for smooth and safe passage for people using mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers, thresholds should be designed to be flush with the floor. Threshold ramps can be installed in buildings where there is a slight elevation difference between the interior and exterior spaces to provide a gentle slope for easy passage. To ensure safe and dependable use, these ramps should be slip-resistant and long-lasting.
In addition, Thresholds should be designed with visibility in mind to physical considerations. This can include using contrasting colors or textures to delineate the threshold and assist people with visual impairments in safely navigating the space.
Automatic Doors
Since they don't require manual opening, automatic doors are a suitable option for those with impairments. However, automatic doors should have a control switch to determine functionality.
Door Sizing Standards and Codes
dormakaba adheres to strict door sizing standards and codes to ensure that our products meet the necessary safety and accessibility requirements. We adhere to the following key standards and codes:
European Norms (EN)
The European Norms are a set of guidelines for building design and construction in European countries. The EN includes door sizing provisions, such as the minimum clear width and height required for various types of doors. EN 12101-6, for example, specifies a minimum clear width of 29.5 inches for emergency exits and a minimum clear width of 47.2 inches for exits serving disabled people.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that establishes minimum accessibility requirements for buildings and facilities. It requires that all doors have a minimum clear width of 32 inches and that doors used by people with disabilities have a minimum clear width of 36 inches.
The International Building Code (IBC)
IBC is a model building code that is widely used in the United States. It establishes minimum door size requirements based on the intended use of the building or space.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a non-profit organization that creates and disseminates fire safety codes and standards. To ensure that our products meet fire safety requirements, we adhere to NFPA standards for fire-rated doors.
British Standards (BS)
British Standards are a set of guidelines for building design and construction in the United Kingdom and many other countries. The BS includes door sizing provisions, such as the minimum clear width and height required for various types of doors. For example, BS8300 specifies a minimum clear width of 33.4 inches for wheelchair-accessible doors and a minimum clear height of 82.6 for all doors.
ANSI/BHMA Standards
Standards developed and published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) for door hardware. We adhere to these guidelines to ensure that our door hardware is safe, dependable, and compatible with our doors.
Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS)
The Japanese Industrial Standards are a set of guidelines for building design and construction in Japan. The JIS includes door sizing provisions, such as the minimum clear width and height required for various types of doors. JIS A 4421, for example, requires a minimum clear width of 35.4 inches for wheelchair-accessible doors and a minimum clear height of 82.6 inches for all doors.
Australian Standards (AS)
The Australian Standards are a set of guidelines for building design and construction in Australia. The AS specifies door sizing requirements, such as the minimum clear width and height required for various types of doors. AS 1428.1, for example, specifies a minimum clear width of 33.4 inches for wheelchair-accessible doors and a minimum clear height of 82.6 inches for all doors.
dormakaba considerations while door sizing
As door sizing is an important factor to consider when choosing a door for your building, it is important to carefully consider each of these factors to ensure that you choose a door that meets the specific needs and requirements of your project.
dormakaba takes several important considerations into account when it comes to door sizing to ensure that their doors are safe, functional, and compliant with relevant regulations. Here are some of the key factors that dormakaba consider when sizing doors for their clients:
Building code requirements:
Compliance with building codes and regulations is one of the most important factors to consider when sizing doors. dormakaba ensures that their doors meet or exceed relevant building code requirements for clear opening widths, minimum height and width, and other requirements.
Traffic flow:
The expected traffic flow through the door must also be considered when determining the size of a door. A door leading to a busy public area, for example, will need to be larger than a door leading to a private office or storage area.
Accessibility requirements:
dormakaba considers accessibility requirements for people with disabilities when designing doors. This includes making sure that doors have enough clear width to accommodate wheelchair users and that thresholds are low enough to allow for easy access.
Style and Design
Doors must not only be functional, but they must also complement the overall aesthetics and design of the building. dormakaba has a wide variety of door styles and finishes to suit any project.
Security considerations:
When sizing doors, dormakaba takes security into account. This includes making sure that doors are properly reinforced and that hardware like locks and hinges are appropriate for the door's intended use.
Best Practices for Door Sizing
- Clearance: Ensure there's enough space around the door to allow for comfortable passage and clearance for the door swing.
- Adhering to code requirements: Building codes specify minimum door widths, heights, and clearances for accessibility and safety reasons.
- Proportion: The height and width of the door should be proportional to the size of the room and the ceiling height.
- Allowance for furniture: Consider the placement of furniture and door swings when selecting door sizes.
- Egress requirements: Doors leading to bedrooms, bathrooms, and other spaces used for sleeping, should meet minimum egress requirements to ensure safe evacuation in case of an emergency.
- Custom doors and revolving doors: In some cases, standard door sizes may not be suitable for a particular application, and custom door sizing may be necessary. Custom door sizing involves determining the precise dimensions of a door based on the specific requirements of the building or room in which it will be installed.
- Sliding doors: Sliding doors can be an alternative to hinged doors in spaces with limited clearance.
- Double doors: Double doors can be used in larger openings to provide better access and a more grand appearance.
Our product portfolio
dormakaba understands the importance of doors in any building and strives to provide the best products and services to our customers. We design and manufacture doors to meet any project requirement, from small or oversized doors to non-standard shapes and configurations, thanks to our extensive manufacturing capabilities.
So, what are you waiting for? Discover the perfect fit for your doors with dormakaba door sizing - Browse our Product Portfolio now!
Door sizing plays a critical role in the functionality, safety, accessibility, and aesthetics of a building. Proper door sizing ensures that the door can be easily opened and closed and that there is enough space for people to move through the doorway comfortably.
Our expert team is dedicated to working closely with customers to understand their specific needs and provide tailored solutions that meet those needs. We provide a variety of doors, including wood, metal, and glass, and our doors can be customized with a variety of finishes and hardware options to match the overall design of the building.
Whether you're looking for a standard or custom door solution, dormakaba has the expertise, experience, and resources to help you achieve your project goals.
Contact us today to learn more about our range of high-quality doors and how we can help you meet your building needs.
