Section 404.2/Door Maneuvering Clearances
ANSI A117.1 Section 404.2.4 provides specific maneuvering clearance dimensions on both sides of accessible doors by approach direction.
Maneuvering clearances at doors depend on the approach direction (front, latch side, hinge side) and whether the person is pushing or pulling. For a front approach on the pull side, the clearance must be at least 60 inches deep perpendicular to the door and 18 inches beyond the latch side. For a front approach on the push side, the clearance is 48 inches deep with no latch-side clearance required if the door has both a closer and latch. These clearances must be level (2% maximum slope in any direction).
Why this section exists
A wheelchair user needs space to position the chair, reach the door handle, pull or push the door open, and pass through without the door hitting the wheelchair. The clearance dimensions were derived from wheelchair turning radius studies and represent the minimum space for the most common wheelchair types. The pull side requires more space because the user must pull the door toward themselves while simultaneously moving the wheelchair back and to the side.
What plan reviewers look for
Plan reviewers check the floor plan dimensions on both sides of every accessible door. They identify the approach direction (based on the corridor and room layout), determine push vs. pull, and look up the required clearances from the maneuvering clearance table. This is one of the most detail-intensive accessibility checks and the most frequently failed dimension in accessibility reviews.
Common violations
Related requirements
ADA Section 404.2 has equivalent maneuvering clearance requirements. Section 604 covers toilet room clearances where door clearances are frequently violated. Section 305 covers general clear floor space. The IBC references ANSI A117.1 for accessible design criteria.