The City of Vancouver’s ban on doorknobs in all new buildings, which went into effect last month, has drawn a strong reaction from the public and heated debate across Canada as other jurisdictions consider the measure. The code revision, which substitutes door levers for knobs, is part of a broader campaign to make buildings more accessible to the elderly and disabled.
Critics, particularly doorknob manufacturers, have complained about government overreach. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) says that Vancouver, the only city in Canada that determines its own building code (provincial governments have that power elsewhere), changed the rules on its own. If the city had asked for a revision of the national regulations, detailed cost studies would have been performed, the trade group says.
Other criticism has centered on the danger of bears, common denizens of British Columbia, to more easily enter a home through a door equipped with a lever rather than a doorknob. Pitkin County, Colorado, has banned door levers to diminish the possibility of bear intrusions.
Support for the door lever provision is widespread, however. Members of the municipal council in Halifax and city councilors in a Toronto suburb are considering asking their provincial government to follow Vancouver’s example.
Related Stories
| Sep 10, 2012
Specialty door types—plenty of functional variety
In the MasterFormat section 08 30 00, Specialty Doors and Frames, a number of door types are listed for special functions, access locations, sliding and folding hardware, and even pressure-resistant types.
| Aug 6, 2012
Kibby has joins the Harmon team
Kibby has over 24 years of experience in the glazing industry, coming to Harmon from Architectural Wall Systems where he worked in business development.
| Jul 18, 2012
Alcoa appoints Hunter Architectural Manager
Hunter to operate with the goal of driving specification, new product adoption and overall demand for the Alcoa BCS North America product range.
| Jul 16, 2012
Kawneer partners with Premier Glass Products
PGP representatives will work closely with the Kawneer sales force to enhance customer and architectural coverage for the combined Kawneer/Traco product portfolio of high performing architectural aluminum products and systems.
| Jul 16, 2012
Business school goes for maximum vision, transparency, and safety with fire rated glass
Architects were able to create a 2-hour exit enclosure/stairwell that provided vision and maximum fire safety using fire rated glazing that seamlessly matched the look of other non-rated glazing systems.
| Jul 13, 2012
July 2012: Products at Work
Panel wall system, folding windows, rubber flooring, wire mesh railings.
| Jul 3, 2012
DORMA Acquires Florida Door Controls in Support of Growth in Southern Markets
DORMA gains one of the nation's largest independent automatic door distributors.
| Jun 11, 2012
Historic church gains energy efficiency, retains aesthetics with architecturally rated windows
New windows would need to not only stand the test of time, but also accommodate the aesthetics of an architecturally historic church.
