Equal Access Construction

Offset hinges provide a practical solution for widening doorways, making it easier for individuals with mobility aids like wheelchairs to navigate freely. ADA guidelines specify that doorways must have a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches when the door is open at a 90-degree angle for interior doors.

Properly widened doorways also contribute to safety by reducing congestion and ensuring easy passage, benefiting everyone in public spaces. This reduction in congestion is especially critical during emergencies, as it allows for smoother evacuations.

In cases where widening a doorframe is impossible or infeasible for structural reasons, the installation of offset hinges is a relatively simple and low-cost way to increase the clear space width through a doorway. In certain circumstances, offset hinges can provide just the extra width needed to bring your facilities doorways into compliance and create a more inclusive environment for everyone.

[Image with a title of Let's Remove Barriers depicting an offset hinge on a door used forwidening doorways when the door is open. There is a subtitle of 'Install Offset Hinges to Widen Doorways' set on a circle and the Equal Access Construction logo at the bottom with text of every person, every door, every time.]

Installing flashing alarm lights in your business or facility is about safety and promoting inclusivity to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can respond to emergencies effectively. These lights are critical for individuals with hearing impairments, as they offer a visual alternative to audible alarms.

Proper placement and visibility of flashing alarm lights are essential to their effectiveness. They should be strategically positioned to ensure they are visible from various locations within the area, allowing individuals to easily detect emergency alerts regardless of their position.

Flashing alarm lights often work in coordination with audible alarms to provide comprehensive emergency notifications. Guidelines emphasize that these lights should be synchronized with audible alarms to ensure that individuals with hearing impairments receive timely and accurate alerts.

The relatively low-cost and straightforward act of installing flashing alarm lights is an easy and readily achievable way for you to improve inclusion and remove barriers at your facility.



[Image with a title of Let's Remove Barriers depicting a flashing alarm emergency light used for alerting people about a fire. Includes a subtitle of 'Install Flashing Alarm Lights' set on a circle and the Equal Access Construction logo at the bottom with text of every person, every door, every time.]