What is the allowable opening force for egress doors?
That’s a question that Bureau of Capital Outlay Management (BCOM) reviewers are frequently asked — and an important issue as egress doors can sometimes be too heavy for persons with disabilities or limited strength to open. The current building code, the 2012 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, and the current design standard for accessibility, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design published September 15, 2010, address the door opening force requirements.
The force for pushing or pulling open interior swinging egress doors, other than fire doors, shall not exceed 5 pounds. The operating force is permitted to be higher for exterior doors and fire doors. Exterior doors are exempt from the 5-pound requirement because air pressure differentials and strong winds may prevent doors from automatically closing. Fire doors are exempt from the 5-pound requirement because fire doors are required to close and latch shut. For these doors, a maximum of 15 pounds is required to release the latch, 30 pounds to set the door in motion, and 15 pounds to swing the door to the full-open position. See Virginia Construction Code, Section 1008.1.3.
This short YouTube video clip illustrates an opening force pressure test.
Reprinted with permission from Department of General Service, Bureau of Capital Outlay Management. To subscribe to the BCOM Newsletter, simply complete this online form.