A business should be accessible to all members of the public. For this reason, Saskatchewan has accessibility standards that are enforced by law. Here’s a general overview of these standards as they relate to the features of your commercial storefront doors.
Background Information
Building standards in Saskatchewan are based on Canada’s National Building Code (NBC) and the province’s Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards (UBAS). Together, the NBC and UBAS set out minimum accessibility standards that buildings in Saskatchewan must meet.
These standards are also known as the “minimum barrier-free requirements.” According to the NBC, a building is barrier-free when “its facilities can be approached, entered, and used by persons with physical or sensory disabilities.”
Advantages to Businesses
Regulations aside, making your building barrier-free makes good business sense. Removing barriers allows all members of society to access and benefit from the goods and services you provide. Plus, showing consideration for customers with reduced mobility reflects well on your business.
Requirements for Door Features
Under the minimum barrier-free requirements, at least 50% of entrances that lead to a building must be barrier-free. This applies to shops, business services (including offices, banks, and medical offices), and places of assembly (including restaurants, theatres, and clubs).
For an entrance to be barrier-free, the storefront door must open automatically or by a handicap door operator marked with the International Symbol of Access. Power-assisted swing doors and sliding doors are both suitable options.
In addition, there are a number of other requirements the door must meet, including the following:
- The opening must be at least 81 cm wide (or 80 cm wide if the building is was built prior to 1988).
- It must take three seconds or more to open and must remain open for at least five seconds.
- A person must be able to stop the door with no more than 15 pounds of force.
- If the door opens onto a walkway, it must have a cane-detectable guardrail on any side where a wall is not present.
- The doorways must have wheelchair manoeuvring space on both sides.
Moreover, for doors that open with a handicap door operator, there are regulations as to where this button needs to be placed.
Specialty Door Services In Saskatchewan
At Lux Overhead Door, we have the products and expertise to ensure that your commercial storefront and automatic doors comply with accessibility standards. We supply, install, and service power-assisted swing doors and sliding doors as well as handicap door openers and other door hardware. For all your commercial door and overhead door needs in Saskatoon and beyond, contact us today.