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
Sustainability | Jul 19, 2023
California lawmakers approve governor’s plan to accelerate green construction
California lawmakers recently approved Gov. Gavin Newsom’s infrastructure streamlining plan that aims to accelerate clean energy and infrastructure projects.
Codes and Standards | Jul 19, 2023
Office leasing in major markets by financial services firms rebounds to pre-pandemic norms
Though the pandemic led to reductions in office leasing by financial services firms in gateway markets, a recent report by JLL found a notable leasing resurgence by those firms.
Codes and Standards | Jul 17, 2023
Outdated federal rainfall analysis impacting infrastructure projects, flood insurance
Severe rainstorms, sometimes described as “atmospheric rivers” or “torrential thunderstorms,” are making the concept of a “1-in-100-year flood event” obsolete, according to a report from First Street Foundation, an organization focused on weather risk research.
Sponsored | Fire and Life Safety | Jul 12, 2023
Fire safety considerations for cantilevered buildings [AIA course]
Bold cantilevered designs are prevalent today, as developers and architects strive to maximize space, views, and natural light in buildings. Cantilevered structures, however, present a host of challenges for building teams, according to José R. Rivera, PE, Associate Principal and Director of Plumbing and Fire Protection with Lilker.
Codes | Jul 10, 2023
Water Demand Calculator outperforms traditional plumbing codes for energy, carbon, and water savings
Using IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator tool can result in energy, carbon, and water savings as compared to using traditional plumbing specification methods in plumbing codes, according to a study by Arup.
Contractors | Jun 30, 2023
Construction industry task force aims for standardized carbon reporting
A newly formed Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) task force on decarbonization and carbon reporting will address the challenges around reporting and reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry.
Standards | Jun 30, 2023
New ASHRAE standard aims to reduce disease transmission risk in indoor spaces
ASHRAE Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of disease transmission by exposure to infectious aerosols in new buildings, existing buildings, and major renovations. Infectious aerosols are tiny, exhaled particles that can carry pathogens that cause infections or disease.
Affordable Housing | Jun 27, 2023
Racial bias concerns prompt lawmakers to ask HUD to ban biometric surveillance, including facial recognition
Two members of the U.S. House of Representative have asked the Department of Housing and Urban Development to end the use of biometric technology, including facial recognition, for surveillance purposes in public housing.
Standards | Jun 26, 2023
New Wi-Fi standard boosts indoor navigation, tracking accuracy in buildings
The recently released Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11az enables more refined and accurate indoor location capabilities. As technology manufacturers incorporate the new standard in various devices, it will enable buildings, including malls, arenas, and stadiums, to provide new wayfinding and tracking features.
Contractors | Jun 26, 2023
Most top U.S. contractors rarely deliver projects on time: new study
About 63% of leading U.S. contractors are delivering projects out of schedule, according to a survey of over 300 C-suite executives and owners in the construction industry by XYZ Reality. The study implies that the industry is struggling with significant backlogs due, in part, to avoidable defects, scan, and rework.
