Frequently Asked Questions

Requirement 3


Q. How wide must entrance doors be on accessible routes in public and common use areas?

A. The Guidelines state that for doors on accessible routes in public and common use areas and for primary entry doors to covered units, compliance with ANSI 4.13 would meet the Act's requirement.


Q. What is the width requirement for doors within covered dwelling units?

A. Doors within dwelling units that are intended for user passage through the unit must have a clear opening of at least 32 inches nominal width when the door is open 90 degrees, measured between the face of the door and the stop.


Q. Does this mean that a builder must use a 36 inch door?

A. No. A 34 inch door hung in the standard manner, provides an acceptable nominal 32-inch clear opening. Pocket or sliding doors are also acceptable in covered dwelling units as long as they provide the nominal 32-inch clear opening.


Q. A builder wants to construct a covered multifamily dwelling that has a deck with doors providing access from both the living room and kitchen. Must the width of both doors leading to the deck be at least 32 inches?

A. Yes. All doorways intended for user passage must have a minimum clear opening of at least 32 inches nominal width.


Q. Must the door to a "walk in" closet be 32 inches wide?

A. Yes. The 32 inch nominal width requirement for doors applies to doors that are intended to provide passage through the unit, including a walk-in closet.


Q. A covered multifamily unit has lever hardware on the exterior door but not on the doors within the unit. Must lever hardware also be installed on interior doors?

A. No. Lever hardware is required on unit entry doors because they are within the public and common use area and must meet the ANSI standard. Lever hardware is not required on doors within the unit. Door hardware within the unit is considered an adaptable design feature.


Q. Can a sliding glass door be used as the main entry door?

A. Yes. The Guidelines do not address the type of doors that may be used as the main entry door. However, whatever type of door is used, it must meet the accessibility requirements of the FHA. The nominal 32-inch clear opening provided by a standard six-foot sliding patio door assembly is acceptable. In addition, if a sliding glass door is made the main entry door, then all of the units must have this door as the main entry door.



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