The newly released International Building Code (IBC) for 2021 includes a provision that mandates automatic doors for entrances to public buildings.
IBC 1105.1.1 stipulates that in facilities meeting building occupant load thresholds for a number of common occupancies, accessible public entrances must have one door be either a full power-operated door or a low-energy power-operated door. The code applies to a wide range of public places, including retail stores, restaurants, clubs and casinos, movie theaters and concert halls, libraries, banks, and college dormitories.
“The new code requirement accommodates a wide variety of accessibility needs that manual doors being installed today cannot encompass,” said Joe Hetzel, technical advisor to the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers in a news release. In the COVID-19 era, occupants of all buildings could benefit from the touch-free, germ-free accessibility provided by automatic doors, according to the release.
As a result, more building owners may opt for automatic doors in retrofits as well as in new construction.
Related Stories
| May 3, 2012
Green-roof requirement now includes industrial facilities in Toronto
A mandate that requires installation of green roofs on new commercial and residential buildings in Toronto has been expanded to include industrial facilities.
| May 3, 2012
Innovative wastewater treatment helps achieve LEED rating
LEED for New Construction, Neighborhood Development and the LEED Volume Program offer some ways to achieve LEED points when dealing with wastewater treatment.
| Apr 26, 2012
Lack of bolts on steel support caused collapse at Cincinnati casino
Too few bolts connecting horizontal steel support beams with vertical steel columns was the cause of January’s construction accident at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, according to the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
| Apr 26, 2012
OSHA criticized for taking too long to roll out safety rules
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes far too long to adopt new safety regulations compared to other agencies’ development of rules, safety experts said during a Senate hearing.
| Apr 26, 2012
Contractors fear that GSA scandal will lead to fewer federal construction contracts
In the wake of the recent scandal at the General Services Administration in which workers spent lavishly at a Las Vegas conference, a spokesman for Associated General Contractors of America said contractors are worried the scandal will result in cuts to GSA's construction and renovation budgets.
| Apr 26, 2012
Developers can use LEED wastewater credits to help gain approvals in environmentally sensitive locales
Those wanting to pursue development in heavily regulated and environmentally sensitive areas are benefiting by designing projects that qualify for LEED points, even if the project as a whole does not achieve certification.
| Apr 26, 2012
New York City Council moves to license elevator mechanics
New York’s City Council introduced a measure last week that would require the city’s 7,000 elevator mechanics to meet national standards and be licensed by the city.
| Apr 23, 2012
AAMA releases updated specification for anodized aluminum
AAMA 611-12 describes test procedures and requirements for high performance (Class I) and commercial (Class II) architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products.
