Door Pressure Gauge

Door Pressure Gauge - Check out our extensive inventory below.

We carry two types of Door Pressure Gauge that show the amount of force (pounds or kg) required to open doors so you can determine if the door meets A.D.A. regulations. An absolutely vital tool if working on doors in facilities requiring full access to disabled persons. It can also be used to determine the amount of force required to open or close elevator doors. Range is from 0 to 35 lbs. (0 to 15.9 kg).

Doors present some of the most common accessibility issues. They may be too “heavy” and require too much force to open. Heavy doors are especially difficult for people with disabilities and seniors with limited upper body strength and/or skills in using their hands. They may close too quickly for some people to pass through easily. People who move slowly or use mobility devices like wheelchairs or walkers may not be able to pass through fast enough. Fortunately, these common problems can often be resolved by simply adjusting door closers. Follow these steps to make sure your doors are accessible to all.

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Measure Door Opening Force and Closing Speed

The best way to measure door-opening force is by using a door force gauge, also called a door pressure gauge. To do this, first, unlatch the door and then press the gauge against the door. Push until the door opens all the way. The readout on the gauge shows you the force required to open the door. Some gauges have hooks to help you pull the door open. Door force gauges are available online and in some specialty hardware stores.

You may also use a simple mechanical or digital fish scale. These options may be less accurate since you have to read the scale while opening the door. To use a fish scale, attach a string to the scale and the door opening hardware. Measure the maximum force required to pull the door open.

Interior doors should require no more than 5 lbs. of force to open.

This does not apply to the initial force needed to overcome the weight of a motionless door. Open the door gradually; do not “jerk” it open. Opening force for exterior doors is not specified in the ADA Standards, but exterior doors that need to be accessible should have the minimum force possible. The typical maximum opening force for exterior doors ranges from 8.5 to 10 lbs.

Any door so heavy that it prevents entrance by people with disabilities may deny them access to goods and services, which is covered under the ADA.

Also, state or local government codes may have specific accessibility requirements for exterior doors. The closing or swing speed must not be faster than five seconds. The closing or swing distance is from the open position at 90 degrees to 12 degrees from the latch. Latching speed isn’t specified but should be fast enough to latch the door but not slam it. If you need to learn more about door opening forces Up Codes has additional information.

Measure Door Opening Force and Closing Speed

Interior doors should require no more than 5 lbs. of force to open. This does not apply to the initial force needed to overcome the weight of a motionless door. Open the door gradually; do not “jerk” it open.

Opening force for exterior doors is not specified in the ADA Standards, but exterior doors that need to be accessible should have the minimum force possible. The typical maximum opening force for exterior doors ranges from 8.5 to 10 lbs. Any door so heavy that it prevents entrance by people with disabilities may deny them access to goods and services, which is covered under the ADA. Also, state or local government codes may have specific accessibility requirements for exterior doors.

The closing or swing speed must not be faster than five seconds. The closing or swing distance is from the open position at 90 degrees to 12 degrees from the latch. Latching speed isn’t specified but should be fast enough to latch the door but not slam it.

If you need to learn more about door opening forces Up Codes has additional information.

Push Gauges

ADA Push Door Pressure Gauge

According to the ADA, doors present some of the most common accessibility concerns for disabled persons. Doors that require too much force to open create difficulties for the elderly, for the disabled, and for anyone without sufficient upper-body strength.

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Door Gauges

Whether you need a Door Gap Gauge to inspect a fire rated door or a push pull gauge to check a fire rated or non fire rated door for ADA we have the tools you need.

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Instructions For Testing Doors And Gates With Closers

We do have a page dedicated just to learn more about our door gap gauge and a couple of door gap gauge instructional videos for your viewing pleasure.