Section 1126A — DOORS, GATES AND WINDOWS

Doorways which provide access to common use areas or covered multifamily dwellings shall comply with the following: 1. Permit the installation of a door or gate not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in width, not less than 80 inches (2032 mm) in height, and provide a clear opening of not less than 32 inches (813 mm), measured with the door positioned at an angle of 90 degrees from its closed position.

2. Doors or gates shall be capable of opening at least 90 degrees.

11A-20 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY

3. A pair of doors or gates, manual or automatic, shall have at least one leaf which provides a clear width of not less than 32 inches (813 mm), measured with the door or gate positioned at an angle of 90 degrees from its closed position. 4. The width of any component in the egress system shall not be less than the minimum width required by Section 1005. 5. Revolving doors or gates shall not be used as required entrances for persons with disabilities, and shall not be part of an acces- sible route.

The floor or landing on each side of an exit door or gate shall be level. (See Chapter 10.)

1126A.2.1 Thresholds and changes in elevation. The floor or landing shall not be more than [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm) lower than the top of the threshold of the doorway. (See Figure 11A-8I.)

Changes in level between [1] / 4 inch (6.35 mm) and [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm) shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal (50-percent slope). Changes in level greater than [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm) shall be accomplished by means of a ramp. (See Section 1122A.)

1126A.3.1 General. The minimum maneuvering clearance at doors or gates shall comply with Sections 1126A.3.2, 1126A.3.3 and 1126A.3.4. The floor or landing area within the required maneuvering clearance shall be level and clear. The required length shall be measured at right angles to the plane of the door or gate in its closed position. Maneuvering clearances shall extend the full width of the doorway and the required latch side or hinge side clearances (strike edge maneuvering clearances).

1126A.3.2 Swinging doors and gates.

1126A.3.2.1 Front approach. The following provisions shall apply to swinging doors or gates with front approach: 1. Pull side approach. The level floor or landing shall extend in the direction of the door or gate swing at least 60 inches (1524 mm). (See Figure 11A-8A(a).) 2. Push side approach. The level floor or landing shall extend in the direction of the door or gate swing at least 48 inches (1219 mm). (See Figure 11A-8A(a).)

3. Doors and gates with push side approach having both a closer and a latch. Doors or gates with push side approach having both a closer and a latch shall be provided with a clear and level area extending a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) past the strike edge on the approach side of the door or gate. (See Figure 11A-8A(a).) 4. Strike edge maneuvering space. The width of the level area on the side to which the door or gate swings shall extend at least 24 inches (610 mm) past the strike edge for exterior doors or gates and at least 18 inches (457 mm) past the strike edge for interior doors or gates. (See Figure 11A-8A(a).)

Note: See Section 1132A.5 for maneuvering clearances at primary entry doors and all required exit doors to covered multifamily dwellings.

1126A.3.2.2 Hinge side approach. The following provisions shall apply to swinging doors or gates with hinge side approach: 1. Pull side approach. Doors or gates with pull side approach shall be provided with a level floor or landing not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) in depth. A clear and level area shall extend a minimum of 36 inches (914 mm) past the strike edge on the approach side of the door or gate. (See Figure 11A-8A(b).) 2. Push side approach. Doors or gates with push side approach shall have a level floor or landing not less than 44 inches (1118 mm) in depth, and shall be provided with a clear and level area extending a minimum of 54 inches (1372 mm) from the strike edge of the door or gate jamb past the hinge side of the door or gate. Doors or gates with a latch and closer shall have a level floor or landing not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) depth at the push side of the door or gate. (See Figure 11A-8A(b).)

than 44 inches_ (1118 mm) in depth, and shall be provided with a clear and level area extending a minimum of 54 inches (1372 mm) from the strike edge of the door or gate jamb past the hinge side of the door or gate. Doors or gates with a latch and closer shall have a level floor or landing not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) depth at the push side of the door or gate. (See Figure 11A-8A(b).)

1126A.3.2.3 Latch side approach. The following provisions shall apply to swinging doors or gates with latch side approach: 1. Pull side approach. Doors or gates with pull side approach shall have a level floor or landing not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) in depth, and shall be provided with a clear and level area extending a minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) past the strike edge on the approach side of the door or gate. (See Figure 11A-8A(c).)

2. Push side approach. Doors or gates with push side approach shall have a level floor or landing not less than 44 inches (1118 mm) in depth, and shall be provided with a clear and level area extending a minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) past the strike edge on the approach side of the door or gate. Doors or gates with a closer shall have a level floor or landing not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) depth at the push side of the door or gate. (See Figure 11A-8A(c).)

1126A.3.3 Space between consecutive doors or gates. The minimum space between two hinged or pivoted doors or gates in series, serving other than a required exit stairway, shall provide a minimum of 48 inches (1219 mm) plus the width of the door or gate swing- ing into the space. Doors or gates in a series shall swing either in the same direction or away from the space between the doors or gates. (See Figures 11A-8G and 11A-8H.)

Where the door or gate opens into a stair or smokeproof enclosure, the landing need not have a minimum length of 60 inches (1524 mm). (See Figure 11A-8H.)

1126A.3.4 Doorways without doors or gates, sliding doors and folding doors. Doorways less than 36 inches (914 mm) wide without doors or gates, sliding doors or folding doors shall have maneuvering clearances complying with this section.

1126A.3.4.1 Front approach. The level floor or landing shall extend at least 48 inches (1219 mm) on each side, perpendicular to the doorway. Strike edge maneuvering clearance for front approach is not required. (See Figure 11A-8B(a).)

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY

1126A.3.4.2 Side approach . Doorways without doors or gates, and side approach, shall be provided with level floor or landing extending 42 inches (1067 mm) minimum on each side, perpendicular to the doorway. Strike edge maneuvering clearance is not required. (See Figure 11A-8B(d).)

1126A.3.4.3 Pocket/ hinge side approach. Doors with pocket or hinge approach shall be provided with a level floor or landing not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) in depth. The level floor or landing shall extend a minimum of 22 inches (559 mm) beyond the pocket/hinge side. (See Figure 11A-8B(b).)

1126A.3.4.4 Stop/latch side approach. Doors with stop or latch approach shall have a level floor or landing not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) in depth. The level floor or landing shall extend a minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) beyond the stop/latch side. (See Figure 11A-8B(c).)

1126A.3.4.5 Recessed doors or gates. Maneuvering clearances for forward approach shall be provided when any obstruction within 18 inches (457 mm) of the latch side of an interior doorway, or within 24 inches (610 mm) of the latch side of an exterior door- way, projects more than 8 inches (203 mm) beyond the face of the door or gate, measured perpendicular to the face of the door or gate. (See Figure 11A-8C.)

Maximum effort to operate doors or gates shall not exceed 8 [1] / 2 pounds (38 N) for exte- rior doors or gates and 5 pounds (22 N) for interior doors or gates, such pull or push effort being applied at right angles to hinged doors or gates and at the center plane of sliding or folding doors. Compensating devices or automatic door or gate operators may be utilized to meet these standards. When fire doors are required, the maximum effort to operate the door may be increased to the minimum allow- able by the appropriate enforcement agency, not to exceed 15 pounds (66.7 N).

1126A.4.1 Door or gate closer. If a door or gate has a closer, the sweep period of the closer shall be adjusted so that from an open position of 90 degrees, the door or gate will take 5 seconds minimum to move to a position of 12 degrees from the latch.

1126A.4.2 Spring hinges. 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.

The type of latch and lock required for all doors or gates shall be in accordance with Section 1126A.6 and Chapter 10.

Hand-activated door or gate latching, locking and opening hardware shall be centered between 30 inches (762 mm) and 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. Latching and locking doors or gates that are hand-acti- vated and on an accessible route shall be operable with a single effort by lever type hardware, panic bars, push-pull activating bars or other hardware designed to provide passage without requiring the ability to grasp the opening hardware. Locked exit doors or gates shall operate consistent with Section 1126A.4, in the direction of egress. When sliding doors are in the fully open position, operating hard- ware shall be exposed and usable from both sides.

Exception: Access gates in barrier walls and fences protecting pools, spas and hot tubs shall be permitted to have operable parts of the release of latch on self-latching devices at 54 inches (1372 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground provided the self-latch- ing devices are not also self-locking devices operated by means of a key, electronic opener or integral combination lock. 1126A.6.1 Lever type hardware. The lever or lever of actuated latches or locks shall be curved with a return to within [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm) of the door or gate to prevent catching on the clothing of persons during egress.

Exception: Group R and U occupancies with an occupant load of 10 or less.

Swinging door or gate surfaces within 10 inches (254 mm) of the finish floor or ground measured vertically shall have a smooth surface on the push side extending the full width of the door or gate. Parts creating horizontal or vertical joints in these surfaces shall be within [1] / 16 inch (1.6 mm) of the same plane as the other and be free of sharp or abrasive edges. Cavities created by added kick plates shall be capped.

Exceptions:

1. Automatic doors or gates. 2. Tempered glass doors without stiles and having a bottom rail or shoe with the top leading edge tapered at 60 degrees mini- mum from the horizontal.

3. Doors or gates that do not extend to within 10 inches (254 mm) of the finish floor or ground.

Where glazed openings are provided in accessible rooms or spaces for operation by occupants, at least one opening shall comply with Section 1138A.4.

Each glazed opening required by the enforcing agency to be operable shall comply with Section 1138A.4.