Retrofit door hardware to meet ADA-compliant lever/operable-parts requirements

Steps

1. Replace round knobs with lever handles or U-shaped pulls, since ADA operable-parts rules require hardware operable without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
2. Mount the operable hardware within the required height band, generally 34 inches minimum to 48 inches maximum above the finished floor.
3. Verify the operating force doesn't exceed the applicable limit for the type of hardware/motion involved, checking the current cited limits in the ADA standards and any layered state accessibility code rather than assuming one number applies everywhere.
4. Confirm the retrofit also addresses related door requirements, such as maneuvering clearance and closing speed if a closer is present, since hardware compliance alone doesn't satisfy the full accessible-entrance requirement.
5. Where the building is subject to a state accessibility code in addition to the ADA, check for additional or stricter local requirements before finalizing the retrofit.