3.2 Accessible Entrances: Number, Location, and Power-Operated Doors
Key Takeaways
At least 60 percent of all public entrances must be accessible, in addition to the specific entrances required by IBC 1105.1.2 through 1105.1.8.
In A occupancies with a building occupant load over 300, and B, M or R-1 over 500, each accessible public entrance needs a power-operated or low-energy power-operated door (Table 1105.1.1).
Direct pedestrian access from parking structures, tunnels and elevated walkways must be accessible, and at least one restricted entrance, detainee entrance and each tenant must have an accessible entrance.
A service entrance must be accessible only if it is the only entrance to the building or tenant space.
Where not all entrances are accessible, accessible entrances get the International Symbol of Accessibility and inaccessible entrances get directional signs (IBC 1112.1 and 1112.3).
3.2 Accessible Entrances: Number, Location, and Power-Operated Doors
Accessible Entrances is a 4% subtopic on the ICC 21 outline: "verify compliance of the number and location of accessible entrances." The scoping is in IBC Section 1105, signage is in IBC Section 1112, and the door hardware, vestibule and automatic door criteria are in A117.1 Section 404.
Public Entrances (1105.1)
In addition to accessible entrances required by Sections 1105.1.2 through 1105.1.8, at least 60 percent of all public entrances shall be accessible.
Exceptions: an accessible entrance is not required to areas not required to be accessible, and loading and service entrances that are not the only entrance to a tenant space are not counted.
The 60% rule is calculated on public entrances. Because the code says at least 60 percent, round any fraction up: a building with 4 public entrances needs 0.60 x 4 = 2.4, so 3 must be accessible; a building with 5 public entrances needs exactly 3.
Power-Operated Doors (1105.1.1)
The 2021 IBC introduced automatic door requirements at public entrances, and the 2024 IBC retitled them "power-operated doors at public entrances."
| Occupancy | Building occupant load greater than |
|---|---|
| A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 | 300 |
| B, M, R-1 | 500 |
Where the threshold is exceeded, each public entrance required to be accessible must have at least one door that is a full power-operated door or a low-energy power-operated door. Where the entrance includes a vestibule, the 2021 IBC requires at least one door into and one door out of the vestibule to comply; the 2024 IBC requires one set of two doors in series to comply. The 2024 edition adds two exceptions: a tenant space with its own exterior public entrance is treated as a separate building, and in mixed-use buildings the requirement does not apply where the sum of the ratios of each occupancy's load to its threshold is less than 1.
A117.1 Section 404.3.1 states that where an automatic door is required at a public entrance, it must be a full powered automatic or low-energy automatic door (power-assist doors do not satisfy it). Section 404.3.2 requires that, where an entrance includes a vestibule, at least one exterior and one interior vestibule door have the same type of automatic opener. Full powered doors follow ANSI/BHMA A156.10; power-assist and low-energy doors follow A156.19.
Specific Entrances (1105.1.2 to 1105.1.8)
| Section | Entrance | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1105.1.2 | Parking garage | Where provided, direct pedestrian access from parking structures to building entrances must be accessible |
| 1105.1.3 | Tunnels and elevated walkways | At least one entrance from each tunnel or walkway must be accessible |
| 1105.1.4 | Restricted entrances (used only by tenants, employees or a select group) | At least one restricted entrance must be accessible |
| 1105.1.5 | Inmate and detainee entrances at judicial, detention and correctional facilities | At least one such entrance must be accessible |
| 1105.1.6 | Service entrances | Must be accessible only if it is the only entrance to a building or tenant space |
| 1105.1.7 | Tenant spaces | At least one accessible entrance to each tenant; not required for self-service storage facilities not required to be accessible |
| 1105.1.8 | Dwelling and sleeping units | At least one accessible entrance to each unit, except units not required to be Accessible, Type A or Type B units |
Entrance Signage (IBC 1112)
- 1112.1 Item 5: Accessible entrances must be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility where not all entrances are accessible.
- 1112.3 Item 1: Directional signs at inaccessible building entrances indicate the route to the nearest accessible entrance, include the International Symbol of Accessibility, and use visual characters complying with A117.1.
If every entrance is accessible, no ISA sign is needed at the entrances.
A117.1 Provisions at Entrance Doors
| Topic | Section | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Doors in series (vestibules) | 404.2.5 | 48 in. minimum between doors plus the width of any door swinging into the space; the space between the doors must provide a turning space |
| Automatic doors in series | 404.3.6 Exception | Where both doors are low-energy or full power automatic doors, a turning space between them is not required |
| Automatic door clear width | 404.3.3 | 32 in. in power-on and power-off modes |
| Controls for automatic doors | 404.3.7 | Comply with 309; the clear floor space at the control must be beyond the arc of the door swing |
| Thresholds | 404.2.4 | 1/2 in. maximum (existing or altered thresholds up to 3/4 in. with beveled edges) |
| Revolving doors and turnstiles | 402.3 | Not part of an accessible route |
Worked Example
A new 620-occupant Group M store has five public entrances, a separate loading dock door and a tenant-only employee entrance from the parking garage.
- Public entrances: 60% of 5 = 3 accessible public entrances.
- The store is Group M with an occupant load over 500, so each of the three accessible public entrances needs at least one power-operated or low-energy power-operated door. If an entrance has a vestibule, the vestibule doors comply as the edition requires.
- The garage entrance is direct pedestrian access from a parking structure, so it must be accessible (1105.1.2).
- The loading dock is not the only entrance, so it need not be accessible.
- ISA signs identify the accessible entrances, and directional signs at the two inaccessible public entrances point to the nearest accessible one.
Exam Traps
- The 60% count excludes loading and service entrances that are not the only entrance.
- The occupant load thresholds are "greater than" 300 and 500; exactly 300 does not trigger the A requirement.
- A service entrance used as the only entrance to a tenant space must be accessible.
- Turning space, not merely clear floor space, is required between manual doors in series.
A new Group A-3 community center has a building occupant load of 450. Under the 2021 or 2024 IBC, what is required at each public entrance required to be accessible?
Nothing additional, because power-operated doors are required only in Group M
At least one door must be a full power-operated or low-energy power-operated door
A power-assist door on every leaf
A revolving door with an adjacent swinging door
A small office building has a public entrance and a rear service entrance. Under IBC 1105.1.6, must the service entrance be accessible?
Yes, every service entrance must be accessible
Yes, if the building has more than 500 occupants or serves the public
Only if it is designated as an exit
No; it must be accessible only if it is the only entrance
Two manual swinging doors form an entrance vestibule; one door swings into the vestibule. Under ICC A117.1-2017 Section 404.2.5, what must the space between the doors provide?
48 inches plus the width of the door swinging into the space, and a turning space
48 inches only, regardless of door swing
A 30 by 48 inch clear floor space beyond the door swing
60 inches between doors with no additional space required
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