| CODE: | 1994 State Regulations for Barrier-Free Facilities |
| SECTION: | Section 1106.3.1, Control and Hardware Operation |
| QUESTION: | The contractor on a local motel project has installed hardware on individual guest rooms which, on the corridor side of the door, have non-functional round knobs that’s only purpose is the support of the key assembly. When a key is inserted into this assembly and turned, the latch mechanism is retracted and then you push the door to enter the room. Does this type of hardware meet the intent of this section which requires no pinching twisting or grasping to operate the mechanism? |
| ANSWER:
DISCUSSION: |
This type of hardware may meet the intent of Section 1106.3.1.
The Code requires that the actuator for the door latch not require tight pinching, twisting or grasping. The hardware described in your question implies that a key is used to actuate the door latch. If this is the case, then the key would need to be modified to facilitate operation of the door latch without the need for tight pinching twisting or grasping. This modification would only be necessary for those motel doors required to be accessible. |
| SUPERSEDES: | None |
| REQUESTED BY: | City of Chelan |