Revolving Doors

The CNIB Foundation does not recommend the use of standard-sized revolving doors at building entrances because they are not universally accessible. However, increasingly, larger-sized revolving doors are being used in places such as hospitals, airports and hotels.

When these revolving doors are used, they should meet the following guidelines:

• The walking space inside the door should be large enough to accommodate a person using a guide dog, wheelchair or motorized scooter.
• Glass door/enclosure edges must be colour contrasted to the outdoors, the building lobby and the door surface itself. A strip of bright yellow edging is ideal.
• For revolving doors made of glass, follow the design requirements provided in the section Mirrors, Glazed Screens and Sidelights, to ensure the doors are properly highlighted and not a hazard.
• Revolving doors that are continuously moving are not recommended. It’s very difficult for people impacted by blindness to find a moving door opening.

Wherever revolving doors are used, an accessible entrance door should be provided adjacent to the revolving door.