Shimpo MFD-04, MFD-05, MFD-03, MFD-02, MFD-06 ADA Door Force Requirements Application Information

Application Information

ADA Door Force Requirements

Building entrances and internal doors must be designed and maintained to allow ease of access to all potential
persons. Heavy or hard to open doors are especially difficult for people with disabilities, seniors or even children
who may lack the strength to open them.

One government regulation which provides guidelines for the maximum door opening resistance force is the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A key standard within the ADA comes from section 4.13.11 which states
that interior hinged, sliding and folding doors must have a maximum opening force of 5 lbf (2.3 kg). Exterior
doors must also not prevent access due to resistance with recommended opening forces in the 8.5 – 15 lbf
(3.9 – 6.8 kg) range.

To verify that building interior and exterior doors are within the ADA standards, one state government entity
utilizes the Shimpo MFD-05 Mechanical Force Gauge with dual 45 lbs. & 20 kg capacity scales. By setting the
MFD gauge in Peak Mode with its selection knob, the maximum sensed force reading remains on the scale until
it is manually reset to zero. This feature allows the operator a fast and easy means of viewing and recording the
door force measurement as required by the government regulation.

Equipment Used

• MFD-05 45 lb (20 kg) Dual Scale Mechanical Force Gauge