ADA and Safety Compliance Tips for Retail and Multi-Unit Garage Doors

When it comes to garage doors for retail properties and multi-family buildings alike, there’s always a lot more at stake than just curb appeal.

Safety and accessibility are front and center. Whether a bustling storefront or a multi-tenant complex, getting things wrong could mean violations, liability issues or injuries.

So with that in mind, let’s break down what property managers, builders, and business owners need to know to stay on the right side of ADA compliance and safety compliance for garage doors.

Why Garage Door Compliance Is Mandatory

Garage doors in commercial and residential buildings are considered part of the “means of egress” in many cases. 

Long story short, that means that if someone needs to get out of the building in a hurry, those doors better not stand in the way. Regulations from the Americans with Disabilities Act (also known as the ADA), as well as local and national safety codes, are not just ‘red tape’. 

They are there to protect lives.

ADA Compliance and Garage Doors

ADA compliance means a whole lot more than just ramps and wide entryways. You see, it also includes making sure that the doors are completely operable with minimal force, have proper signage, and don’t pose hazards to anyone with mobility impairments.

For example, if a garage door is part of the accessible route, then it must open automatically or otherwise at least be easy to open manually with minimal effort. 

Another tip: make sure that there are no tripping hazards around the threshold. Smooth transitions aren’t just friendly to wheelchairs. They are friendly to everyone.

Safety Compliance for Garage Doors

Safety compliance for garage doors simply means making sure that all of the moving parts, sensors, and openers are up to code. 

The doors must reverse if they detect an obstruction (which is especially important in multi-unit garage doors where families and pets are in constant motion).

It’s also smart business to schedule regular inspections. Broken springs, faulty sensors, or glitchy openers are more than just an annoyance. They can be downright dangerous.

So, What Should You Do? Simple: Trust the Experts at RKS Doors

When it comes to reliable advice and dependable installation, RKS Doors has built a reputation for getting it right. 

And the bottom line? 

Staying compliant is always easier when you’ve got the right team on your side. RKS Doors is here to make sure your doors aren’t just opening.

We’re here to make sure they’re opening the right way.