Mel,
I am not entirely happy with any of the replies I have seen regarding your
request for information on the size of doorways.
First of all I think the question is not a good one. If you only want a
door for an average wheelchair, then by definition 50% will not be able to
use it. I am sure that is not your wish.
No, wheelchairs come in different sizes and we would advocate that the door
size, or clear opening width as James H-S recommends, should be based on
the requirements of the 'great majority' of wheelchairs which would define
as 80 or 90 % of them. We do have some data in this respect and we are
currently carrying out trials to determine the width required with
different wheelchairs and wheelchair users. The greatest dimension
required is when going out of a corridor through a doorway - and
approaching from the hinge side. This would suggest a door width of about
1000 mm. If the approach is direct on then a clear opening width of about
850 mm is required. Don't forget you will need at least 300 mm at the
latch side of the doorway to allow the wheelchair user to go to the side
and open the door prior to going through.
Many installers will be releuctant to install these larger doors, because
they are not 'standard' at the local store. But try to insist that if they
want people to use them easily and not continually damage the door and door
frame than a comfortable clearnce is required. Remember this is nearly
always the case for non-disabled ambulant peple!
We will be in a position to be more precise when the trials are finished.
Bob Feeney
Robert Feeney Associates
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