Every group of people is happy when everyday tasks can be carried out without difficulty. Opening functional doors, for example, requires a certain amount of effort, depending on the situation - desirable if it is easier. In this respect, accessibility is not only important for people with disabilities, but also for senior citizens and children. Numerous examples can be found.
With regard to doors, the two standards DIN 18040-1 and DIN 18040-2 define the key data.
Although standards are generally not available free of charge (obtained from Beuth-Verlag), both standards can be downloaded from the website of the Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Building and Transport (short link: https://kurzelinks.de/jvxs).
Standardised and regulated
According to DIN 18040-1, doors must be
- clearly perceptible,
- easy to open and close and
- be safe to pass through.
- Lower door stops and thresholds are not permitted. If they are technically unavoidable, they must not be higher than 2 cm.
The standard contains the following table with geometric requirements for doors:
| All doors | |
| Clear width | ≥ 90 cm |
| Clear height above OFF | ≥ 205 cm |
| Reveal depth | ≤ 26 cm |
| Handle/handle: Distance to components, fittings and equipment elements | ≥ 50 cm |
| Signage (if available): Height above OFF | 120 - 140 cm |
| Manually operated doors | |
| Lever handle/handle: Height of pivot above OFF (centre of handle follower), height of handle horizontal or vertical. In justified individual cases, it is possible to deviate from the "85 cm" height. Other dimensions within a range of 85 cm to 105 cm are then acceptable. This is the case, for example, if the doors are not predominantly used by wheelchair users. | 85 cm |
| Automatic door systems | |
| Push button height (centre of button) above OFF | 85 cm |
| Push-button swing door/sliding door with side approach : Distance to main closing edges | ≥ 50 cm |
| Push-button swing door for frontal approach: Distance to opening direction | ≥ 250 cm |
| Push-button swing door with frontal approach: Distance closing direction | ≥ 150 cm |
| Push-button sliding door: distance on both sides | ≥ 150 cm |
Accessibility: Further requirements and recommendations
DIN 18040-1 sets out a number of further requirements and recommendations regarding doors. Among the most frequently asked questions in this area are those concerning the operation of door closers and the necessary clearance areas in front of doors. We have summarised the key points of DIN 18040 regarding these two issues:
| Door closers DIN 18040-1, No. 4.3.3.3 | The selection of door closers is of particular importance. Objective: People with mobility impairments should be able to open/operate doors easily and, for example, have enough time to pass through the doors safely.
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| Areas / movement zones in front of doors DIN 18040-1, Section 4.3.3.4 | Clearances in front of doors must be of sufficient size. DIN 18040-1 specifies the relevant dimensioning. Clearances in front of doors must be dimensioned in accordance with Image 4 and Image 5. The standard contains numerous sketches. Movement areas for single doors – on the opening side: 150 cm x 150 cm For sliding doors – generally: [clear passage (≥90 cm) + at least 2 x 50 cm to the left and right (= at least 190 cm)] x [120 cm depth]. |
| Closing mechanisms DIN 18040-1, No. 4.3.3.3 | Closing mechanisms with uncontrolled closing action (e.g. spring hinges) must not be used. |
| Double-acting doors DIN 18040-1, No. 4.3.3.3 | Double-acting doors must be fitted with closing devices (e.g. swing door closers in accordance with DIN EN 1154) that prevent the doors from swinging through. |
| Handle sets / handles DIN 18040-1, No. 4.3.3.3 | Handle sets must be designed to be easy to grip for people with limited mobility, blind people and those with visual impairments. For this purpose, arched or U-shaped handles or vertical shackles may be used on manually operated sliding doors. The following are not suitable: turning handles, knobs, recessed handles (although these may be necessary in sports halls for safety engineering reasons). |
| Guidance DIN 18040-1, No. 4.3.3.5 | Orientation aids on doors Doors and their functions must be locatable and recognisable even for blind and visually impaired people. The standard lists examples of versions:
The standard provides the following examples: safety markings in the form of strips, with an average height of 8 cm and single elements covering at least 50% of the strip’s area. Information on visual contrasts can be found in DIN 32975. |
| Communication systems DIN 18040-1, No. 4.5 | (automatic) door opener, doorbell systems, intercom systems, etc. must be designed to be accessible. In the case of intercom systems, the fact that the other party is listening must be indicated optically. In the case of manually operated doors with electric latch release, the release must be indicated optically. |
| Control elements DIN 18040-1, No. 4.5.2 | Version in accordance with the two-sense principle (e.g. visual and tactile). Distinctiveness, prevention of accidental production, feedback signal upon production, maximum power required to operate switches/push-buttons 2.5–5 N. Accessibility of control elements: manoeuvring space for wheelchair users at least 150 cm x 150 cm; lateral spacing from walls and similar structures at least 50 cm; elements accessible only from the front with a wheelchair must have a clearance of at least 15 cm. |
| Doors to sanitary facilities | According to clause 5.3.1 of the standard, door leaves in sanitary facilities must not impact into the room and must be unlockable from the outside. |