The force a door can withstand depends heavily on what kind of force is being applied (like pushing, pulling, or impact) and what exactly "withstand" means—whether it's the force needed for normal operation or the force required to break the door.
Based on common building codes and standards, particularly concerning accessibility, there is a specified limit for the force required to open certain doors during normal use.
Force for Opening Doors
According to standards often referenced in building codes, the force for pushing or pulling open interior swinging egress doors, other than fire doors, shall not exceed 5 pounds (22 N).
- 5 pounds (22 N): This is a relatively small amount of force, roughly equivalent to lifting a standard bag of sugar. It is set to ensure that people of all abilities can easily open the door for egress (exit).
What Does This Mean?
This 5-pound limit is about ease of use and accessibility, not the structural strength of the door itself when subjected to extreme forces like kicking, ramming, or environmental pressures.
- Accessibility Standard: The primary purpose of this limit is to make sure doors are not too difficult to open, especially for individuals using wheelchairs or those with limited strength.
- Normal Operation: This force applies when someone is simply pushing or pulling the door handle or plate to open the door during routine use.
- Not a Breaking Point: This 5-pound value does not represent the maximum force a door can withstand before it breaks, splinters, or its hinges fail. A door's ability to resist breaking forces varies greatly depending on:
- The door's material (e.g., hollow core wood, solid wood, steel)
- Its construction (e.g., how thick it is, if it's reinforced)
- The strength and type of its hinges and frame
- The locking mechanism used
- How the force is applied (e.g., a slow push vs. a sudden impact).
Factors Affecting Door Strength
While the force to open is regulated for accessibility, the force a door can structurally withstand varies significantly.
- Door Type:
- Hollow-core interior doors: Generally offer minimal resistance to forced entry.
- Solid-core doors: More resistant than hollow-core.
- Metal or reinforced doors: Designed to withstand much greater forces.
- Frame and Hinges: The frame and how the hinges and strike plate are attached to the frame and wall are often the weakest points when a door is subjected to force.
- Lock Type: A strong deadbolt can significantly increase the force needed to defeat a door, often causing the door or frame to fail before the lock does.
Summary of Forces Related to Doors
| Force Type | Description | Typical Value (based on reference/standards) |
|---|---|---|
| Force to Open | Maximum force allowed to push or pull open certain interior swinging doors for normal use/accessibility | 5 pounds (22 N) |
| Force to Withstand (Breaking) | Force required to cause structural failure (e.g., break the door, frame, or hinges) | Varies greatly (hundreds to thousands of lbs) |
In conclusion, while accessibility standards specify that the force to open certain interior doors should not exceed 5 pounds (22 N), the force a door can structurally withstand before breaking is a much higher and highly variable number, dependent on its construction and installation.
