Making your business accessible to all is not just a moral obligation, it may also be a legal requirement. Recent changes to Ontario’s Building Code as it pertains to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) has made the installation of power door operators obligatory in many cases. Adoption of these doors in a manner that’s safe, secure and up to par with building code standards is not as disruptive or as costly as you might think. We can retrofit power door operators in most entranceways and other key points with limited intrusion upon your business’ everyday functioning. Does your business fall among those that are impacted by this amendment?
WHO MUST TAKE ACTION TO COMPLY WITH NEW AODA REGULATIONS
Standardized accessibility as outlined within the amendment to the Ontario Building Code must be outfitted within all newly constructed buildings and those that are undergoing extensive renovations. Put simply, extensive renovations are defined as repairs that involve infrastructure changes such as installation or removal of interior walls, floors and/or ceilings. Under these circumstances, a barrier-free path of travel needs to be implemented, including—but not limited to—providing accessible power door operators.
REGULATIONS FOR POWER DOOR OPERATORS
These automated doors must be present in building entrances and vestibules, at entries to barrier-free washrooms and at access points to common rooms in multi-unit residential buildings. The Ontario Building Code stipulates that power door controls must:
Have a face dimension of 10 cm or more
Be located between 100 cm to 110 cm from the ground
Be at least 60 cm beyond the door swing
MORE ABOUT THE AODA
In 2005, Ontario outlined the goal of making Ontario accessible for all by 2025. The AODA was therefore adopted and covered five standards to be implemented over a twenty year period including: customer service, information and communications, employment, transportation, and the built environment. At the beginning of 2015, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing—who is responsible for accessibility within the Ontario Building Code—put in place amendments that affect all new construction and edifices undergoing extensive renovations.
WHY ACCESSIBILITY MATTERS
People with disabilities and impairments have the same inherent claim to the rights and freedoms that all Canadians are granted as citizens of this country. Approximately 15 per cent of people live with a physical or mental disability. Yet this significant portion of the population is often limited by environmental and societal constraints. Ontario wishes to eradicate these and make our province’s physical and social components accessible to all Ontarians. Doing so is necessary if we truly wish to be inclusive.
AFFORDABLE LOCK CAN HELP
Our office has locksmiths available that can outfit your business with one or more power door operators. We provide services in Scarborough, Vaughan, Markham and as far north as Aurora. Call us today to get a free estimate or schedule an appointment with a locksmith.
Affordable Lock is a locksmith in Markham serving the Greater Toronto Area, including Scarborough, Aurora, North York, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Stouffville. With over 30 years of experience, we pride ourselves on looking after your commercial or residential locksmith needs. Affordable Lock’s showroom in Markham showcases a wide selection of keys, locks and an assortment of other security products for your home or business. Whether you are looking to upgrade your home or business’s security, or solve security issues, Affordable Lock Services Inc. in Markham is here for you! Give us a call today.