What Are ADA Door Closer Basic Requirements?
An ADA compliant door closer must meet the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (Section 404). Key parameters include:
- Clear Width: Minimum 32" opening at 90°, measured between the door face and stop.
- Opening Force: ≤ 5 lb for interior hinged doors.
- Threshold: ≤ ½ inch high with bevel if > ¼ inch.
- Handle Height: ≤ 48 inches from the floor; operable with one hand.
- Closing Speed: ≥ 5 seconds from 90° to 12°.
A Waterson ADA compliant door closer meets these thresholds through hydraulic damping and numerical tension adjustment, ensuring predictable, compliant motion across door types.
How Wide Are ADA Compliant Doors?
According to ADA 404.2.3, ADA doors must maintain a minimum clear width of 32" and a maximum depth of 24" for front approach.
Proper frame selection ensures this clearance even with heavy hardware installed.
Pairing compliant width with a door closer ADA configuration guarantees both accessibility and code success.
ADA Door Closer Timing
The standard (ADA 404.2.8) mandates that the door must take at least 5 seconds to close from 90° to 12° from the latch.
Waterson’s hydraulic ADA door closer maintains that precision through fluid resistance and tension indexing—stable across temperature shifts and door weights.
Do ADA Bathroom Doors Need to Be Self Closing?
Yes—restroom and corridor fire doors require self-closing devices if fire-rated or privacy-sensitive.
Waterson self-closing ADA door closers provide:
- 85–90° hold-open angle for accessibility.
- Controlled, soft closing under 5 lb force.
- Corrosion-resistant stainless-steel construction for restroom humidity.
Waterson models offer an optional hold-open at 85–90° for accessibility and safety in shared facilities.
How Do I Adjust a Door Closer for ADA Compliance?
For Waterson ADA compliant door closers:
- Loosen or tighten the numerical tension adjuster.
- Test with a 5 lb gauge to confirm low-force compliance.
- Observe that closing from 90° → 12° takes ≥ 5 s.
- Fine-tune latch control for smooth contact.
No external valves, no hydraulic leaks—just on-hinge precision. Watch the ADA compliant door closer adjustment here.
When an Ideal ADA Door Hinge Works Without Compromise
Waterson self-closing ADA compliant door closers combine the reliability of a closer with the simplicity of a hinge—making ADA accessibility both easier to design and smoother to use.
- Stainless Steel Construction: Available in 304 and 316 grades for long-term corrosion resistance in marine or exterior environments.
- ANSI/BHMA A156.1 Certified: Cycle-tested to 1,000,000 swings and engineered to support oversized ADA doors up to 260 lbs.
- ADA Compliance Performance: Requires less than 5 lbs of opening force and achieves a minimum 5-second closing time while maintaining 33″ clear width.
- Self-Closing Mechanism: Hydraulic damping prevents sudden impact, protecting frames, glass panels, and users.
- Concealed Architectural Design: Internal components remain hidden—delivering a clean exterior appearance for modern barrier-free spaces.
- Custom Finish Options: Polished Satin, Black, Brass, or Bronze—each tailored to complement interior or exterior design schemes.
- Adjustable Closing Tension: Allows precise on-site calibration to achieve ADA-compliant speed and force.
- Simplified Installation: No bulky arms or surface-mounted brackets; installs seamlessly like a traditional hinge.
- Warranty: 5–10 years indoor / 3–10 years outdoor—ensuring durability and peace of mind.
Waterson ADA Door Closer Common Applications
- ADA Toilet Stall Door Closer
- ADA Bathroom Partition Door Closer
- ADA Fitting Room Door Closer
- Public Corridor Entrance Door Closer
- Hospital ADA Compliant Door Closer
- Educational Building ADA Door Closer
- Commercial Entrance ADA Door Closer
- Hotel ADA Door Closer
- Glass Partition ADA Door Closer
- Heavy Duty Metal Gate ADA Door Closer
- Black ADA Compliant Door Closer
- Silver ADA Compliant Door Closer
- Gold ADA Compliant Door Closer
- Bronze ADA Compliant Door Closer