recommendation
The clear opening of a doorway should be at least 32".
This would require a minimum 34" or 2'-10" door. For universal
design, the minimum clear width is 34". If the existing structure
precludes changing the opening then a minimum 24" or 2'-0" door is
allowable.
The door opening width is measured from jamb to jamb. The clear opening width is measured from the inside of the open door to the door stop on the other wise of the opening. It is almost always about 2" narrower than the clear opening. The doorknob is disregarded when calculating a clear opening. |
building code requirement
The
International Residential Code is silent as to door widths and heights of
interior doors. Many communities have, however, supplemented the basic code by
requiring a minimum 30" door opening in most rooms, 24" for
bathrooms, at least one 36" exterior door, and a minimum door height of
6'-8" (80"). For bathrooms complying with the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA), the clear door opening must be 32" wide with the door fully
open which usually requires a 34" wide door at minimum.
- Glass used in tub or shower enclosures (i.e. tub or shower door) or partitions must be tempered or an approved equal and must be permanently marked as such. (IRC R 308.1)
- If the tub or shower surround has glass windows or walls, the glazing must be tempered glass or approved equal when the bottom edge of glazing is less than 60" above any standing or walking surface. (IRC R 308.4.5)
- Any glazing (i.e. windows or doors) whose bottom edge is less than 18" above the floor must be tempered glass or approved equivalent. (IRC R 308.4.7.2)
Notes:
- Clear openings of doorways with swinging doors shall be measured between the face of door and stop, with the door open 90 degrees. (ANSI 404.2.3) If the door can open a minimum of 93 degrees, the handle may be disregarded in measuring the opening.
- When a passage exceeds 24" in depth, the minimum clear opening increases to 36". (ANSI A117.1 404)
comments
- Standard door widths include 18", 20", 24", 28", 30", 32" and 36" doors. Any other width and any door wider than 36" is generally made as a custom door.
- To achieve a clear opening, the door size must ordinarily be at least 2" larger. For example, a 32" clear opening requires a 34" door, and a 36" clear opening requires a 38" door.
- Since a 34" (2-10) interior door is typically a special order custom door, this standard is usually met with a 36" (3-0) standard door. A 36" opening for a narrow passageways requires a 38" door to meet the requirements of ANSI A117.1 404. These are not available except as custom doors — so narrow passageways should be avoided where possible.
- This is a safety measure. Most building and safety codes require tempered glass if glass is installed closer to the floor than 18" because it is easy to break the glass by inadvertently kicking it. This applies to any room in the house, not just the bathroom. In planning a bathroom remodelling project where windows are involved, it is often easy to forget that glass over a tub or in a shower must be tempered.
- The 60" inch rule is also a safety measure to prevent you from putting your elbow through window glass while showering or bathing. Any glass at or above 60" is considered high enough that it is unlikely to be accidently broken, but any glass lower than 60" is at risk.
- Many older homes include bathroom windows that do not comply with these rules. Whether you have to plan for replacing non-conforming glass when remodelling a bathroom generally depends on the requirements of local code authorities.
- Where tempered glass is required, glass block may ordinarily be used instead, but check with your local building code authority to make sure.
In a
bathroom remodel, codes generally do not require an existing door to comply
with current minimum opening widths, but if the door is moved as part of the
bath remodel, then most jurisdictions will require that current code minimum
opening standards be met.
Information Source: http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/bath.design.rules.htm#.VVVDlPmqqkr