I am interested in finding out what code would be applicable in the following situation:
There is a restaurant that has a somewhat short hallway. When walking down the hallway, there is a door on the left for the men’s restroom, and directly opposite it, there is a door on the right for the women’s restroom.
The doors both swing out, into the hallway. When both doors are open, they hit each other; one end of the door will hit the other door handle, and vice versa, depending on which was opened first. There are no windows in the doors to allow someone exiting the restroom to see whether the opposite door is already open.
What section of the code should I be looking at? Does it sound like a violation?
Sounds like an ADA problem and may interfere with exit if the hallway leads to an emergency exit.
How old is the building? Are the restrooms ADA compliant? Could the doors be reversed to swing, yet still comply with ADA? What side are the foresee hinged, the approach side?
I’ll check both. My main concern was injury. If your hand is on one door handle, and someone swings out the other door, it will smash your hand between the swinging door and the door handle.
I am no expert, but one question, with both doors fully open can you pass through them to continue on down the hallway, and if so what is that measurement?
**404.2.6 Doors in Series and Gates in Series. **The distance between two hinged or pivoted doors in series and gates in series shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum plus the width of doors or gates swinging into the space.
Michael, as stated above, in this particular situation you have the best advice is going to be: Check with your local building and Code department. To me and I am sure most others, this is a stupid design with several potential safety issues, but if you are looking for a specific “Code” reference if there is such, you need to contact the local AHJ.
