It’s hard to believe that I originally wrote this post more than 5 years ago! So many people are asking me about these and other methods for reducing the transmission of germs, that I’ve updated the post with a little more information. I’m re-posting it so it’s easier to find without digging through the archives.
Given the concerns about the transmission of COVID-19, I think we will be seeing hands-free hardware installed more often. Although there are many doors where automatic operators and touchless access control would be a better solution, these products won’t be feasible for every door.
If you have seen other hardware or ideas related to this topic, please leave a comment or send me an email and I’ll check them out.
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Someone recently asked me whether a door pull operated by the user’s foot would meet the accessibility requirements. The answer seems obvious, right? How can a pull operated by someone’s foot be used for a door on an accessible route? Those doors have to be operable by everyone, including someone using a wheelchair. The standards specify that hardware must be mounted between 34 inches and 48 inches above the floor, be operable with no tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist, and with no special knowledge or effort (read on!).
While a foot-operated pull doesn’t require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting, it would not meet the intent of the accessibility standards if it was the only means of pulling the door open. BUT…if there was another pull on the door which met the accessibility requirements, I don’t see a code issue with installing a foot-operated pull in addition. These pulls are becoming more common for restroom doors, but I have never seen them installed as the only pull on the door.
You might be thinking, “But what about the requirement for a 10-inch-high area at the bottom of the door where no protrusions are allowed?” That 10-inch flush area is only required on the push side of manual doors. The pull is mounted on the pull side and the projection looks acceptable. It wouldn’t affect the clear opening width, it shouldn’t be an encroachment issue, and by nature it wouldn’t be used on a fire door. While some building occupants may find it difficult to open the door this way, I can’t think of any code-related problems.
Can you?
Photo and Graphic: StepNpull
P.S. Here’s another foot-operated pull photo that was sent to me back in 2009.
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Wonder how much force that ends up exerting on the top hinge?
Good question. There’s another version of this type of pull where you lift up on it with your toes, but I wouldn’t want to scuff my Manolos. 🙂
I thought that was Dorothy, trying to get back to Kansas.
foot pull:
http://www.rbahelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/foot-pull-a2.jpg
jimmy choos, jimmy shoes
Is there a liability potential should a child – or anyone for that matter – fall on it? I see this one has a lip? Seems petty, but in today’s society…
The link to the other pull in which you place your foot in – the one you had wished you had thought of – seems more Kosher. Thanks for the post – I had never seen this before (apparently there is enough of a market for it!).
I think just about anything has liability potential in today’s world.
I’ve used these before. I see no code problems, nor any liability problems per the comment above. It is no more dangerous of a fall-and-hit-your-head-hazard than a door lever or trash can or desk or a hundred other things.
I will say that the closer strength needs to be adjusted low for them to work properly. I’ve tried a couple on “heavy” doors and it’s difficult to get traction enough to actually open the door
One problem I can see is children (or similar mentality) standing on it and “riding the door”. Probably should specify it with a continuous hinge, too. But I do like the fact that you don’t have to touch the door or use paper towels to do so.
Hmmm, but us Florida folks wear flip-flops…probably need to get “toe guards” to wear with them! LOL! Cheers!
Kent
Yes, I think a continuous hinge would be a good solution.
I wonder if I’ll be able to open it while wearing my bunny slippers. 🙂
Although this isn’t the right forum for this concern, the liability that concerns me most is the torque put on a person’s knee when trying to open a door in that manner. Planting one foot and then pulling the door open with the other is quite an unnatural motion. Otherwise, it’s a very neat concept from a hygienic standpoint!
Additionally, I’d be concerned about how a user reacts when surprised by someone using the door from the push side. If the user on the pull-side is already somewhat precariously balanced, and the door then gets pushed open from the opposite side, then there seems to be an increased risk to the user.
I cannot agree with the concept here. The main concern is balance and although many may think that they are good on one leg only try having your other on a dynamic object like a moving door, I can foresee many unnecessary falls to the ground. In addition I expect many persons attempting to use one of their feet will possible see their front teeth or heads connecting with the edge of the door.
then there is the additional projection hovering above floor level, this could jamb toes between the device and the floor unless you are looking down when you use it…mind your head again.
And also a nice contraption to snag and catch small feet and toes especially in any rest room where you will possibly be barefoot…….Sorry Lori I don’t buy this design.
Required elements for usage:
1.)Steel toe safety shoes 2.)Hard hat with face guard to protect head and face when falling over from door opening unexpectedly while attempting to exit 3.)Signage on egress side of door requiring approaching person to yell out a warning. 🙂
Hello my name is Ron Ely the co-inventor of the Stepnpull. I would like to thank Lori for this discussion – I would also like to answer some other issues that have been brought up. Stepnpull is installed so low on the door that your foot is off the ground about an inch not far at all to trip and fall or lose your balance and if the door pressure on the closer is set to ADA standard at 5 lbs anyone from a child to the elderly can use it. We have been on the market for about 8 years and have over 10,000 units out worldwide and they are in just over 1,000 businesses in the US. Please try them let us know – we have not had any of the issues mentioned in this blog. Thank you Lori
Thanks Ron!
Ron, I came across your invention for the first time in a bathroom at a Home Depot, I tried it and found that I had to lean on the wall for balance and leverage to use it, closer on that door was set to 3 I think (it was a genaric of the LCN 4040,
To deter “riding the door” put the hand pull higher up (but within the codes)
So Ron, you invented something that’s been in use in Asia and Europe for decades?
This actually is really cool, I could see using it in a lot of situations. Using one of these, combined with a door handle that you push down on to undo the latch, it could really improve the capabilities of someone who has arm weakness issues even for doors that have a latch. just push down with your hand or arm on the door handle to undo the latch, and use the foot pull to pull the door open.
The other cool thing…it can serve as the door’s “stop” before the handle puts a hole in the wall, and it’s so low that it would hit base molding, thus not leaving damage behind.
It would seem that as long as there was also a standard (hand) pull on the door, the choice to use or not use the Stepnpull is up to the individual, thereby mitigating liability. All of the arguments for safety could be equally applied to the standard pull, the closer, or even to the door itself.
Can these be installed on a fire rated door?
Thanks!
Hi Ryan –
I’m sure they’re not listed for use on fire doors, but in addition, fire doors have to latch so you’d have to use your hands to release the latch anyway.
– Lori
If it projects more than 4″ it is a trip hazard. Also, would this be considered “special knowledge”?
Having tried the item last month at Home Depot, I still stand by comments of 2015. Not for me!
Has the question on whether StepnPull can be legally installed on a fire door been answered; as the device requires altering the integrity of the door? I struggle to see if this device is compliant with fire codes. I looked at a number of codes and I struggle to see compliance.
Hi John –
I don’t think it is listed for use on fire doors, but it’s not really the right application anyway. You would need to touch the hardware to release the latch, so the foot pull wouldn’t help much.
– Lori
I like the Sanigrasp pull (www.sanitgrasp.com). It functions much the same as the normal pull, but is open along the top to allow opening with a wrist versus a hand.
I use them when doors have them but find it is unnatural trying to pull the door, get out of the way of the door and get through the door. I have also seen a few collisions with a person trying to use this and the door opening up as they are trying to get situated to pull it. All of that being said. I do like the idea of not having to pull on the door bare handed. Some manufacturers have anti-microbial finishes but most do are unaware of the finish because it is not spelled out on the product. Most pulls will allow you to use more of your arm vs open hand to open the doors. Again another issue if your arm is in the pull and someone opens the door quickly, ouch. Fun forum post. Lori is always spot on.
Thanks Debra! 😀
– Lori
Doesn’t this require special knowledge where it would be unusual to operate a door with a foot I would think. How does this work for those that may not have a foot? In the event of a malfunction, one would still have to touch/grab the door to exit. I never like any door that opens opposite the direction of egress even though under 50 it would be allowed. To avoid installing approved hardware for fear of a virus would be hard for me to approve.
Great article. I have never seen this before now. Thanks for sharing!!
Lori,
After going to the website to review the foot pull device, I would have no issue with it being installed allowing the occupant a choice in whether to use it or not providing the approved door hardware was installed at the proper height.
Donnie
Thanks Donnie – I really appreciate your perspective!
– Lori
Lori here is what the ADA says about door clearances I am cutting and pasting an illustration with the ADA citation.
Sorry I only posted half my comment. I enjoyed all the comments.
Clear Width and Vertical Clearance of Doors and Gates [§404.2.3]
Below 34″ – No projections into required clear opening width.
I always want to install kick down hold open devices, unfortunately they violate 404.2.3. So I use the hook to loop at above 34″ on the back of the door. It works keeping both sides of the surfaces 34″ AFF clean and smooth.
Above the 34 to 80 inch area 4″ max projection into the clear opening width is permitted on both sides.
Other problems is obivous folks using wheelchairs are generally not able to use their feet.
Great imagination for a hands free device! Now it only needs to be usable and functional for individuals with disabilities.
Here is the link.
https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-ada-standards/guide-to-the-ada-standards/chapter-4-entrances,-doors,-and-gates
If this is for virus protection see information on Copper or Brass door hardware below
EXCERPTS:
When a virus or bacteria strikes the copper plate or surface, it’s flooded with copper ions. Those ions penetrate cells and viruses like bullets. The copper doesn’t just kill these pathogens; it destroys them, right down to the nucleic acids, or reproductive blueprints, inside. See Keevil link below.
“There’s no chance of mutation [or evolution] because all the genes are being destroyed,” says Keevil. “That’s one of the real benefits of copper.” In other words, using copper doesn’t come with the risk of, say, over-prescribing antibiotics. It’s just a good idea.
Virus contact with copper produces: rapid inactivation, irreversible destruction of viral RNA, and massive structural damage were observed in coronavirus exposed to copper and copper alloy surfaces. Incorporation of copper alloy surfaces in conjunction with effective cleaning regimens and good clinical practice could help to control transmission of respiratory coronaviruses, including MERS and SARS.
Copper alloy products are expensive: hospital-borne infections are costing the healthcare system as much as $45 billion a year—not to mention killing as many as 90,000 people—the copper upgrade cost is negligible by comparison.
New copper alloys with nickel does not have to look like an old antique horn.
LINKS TO CHECK FACTS:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265158098_Doorknobs_A_Source_of_Nosocomial_Infection/link/55bce51a08aed621de1085ed/download
https://www.copperalloystewardship.com/node/14708
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.09.20033217v1.full.pdf
https://mbio.asm.org/content/6/6/e01697-15
https://www.copper.org/publications/pub_list/pdf/a4103.pdf
https://www.copper.org/applications/antimicrobial/
https://www.copperalloystewardship.com/