Common areas in Missouri buildings require 36-inch doors to ensure accessibility.

Doors aren’t flashy, but they shape everyday life. In Missouri facilities—hospitals, clinics, senior living communities, community centers—the width of a doorway can make the difference between smooth navigation and awkward bottlenecks. When you’re thinking about accessibility, safety, and smooth operation, one number often stands out: 36 inches. That’s the minimum width many common-area doors aim for. It’s not just a rule for builders; it’s a practical standard that touches real people every day.

Let me explain why 36 inches matters and how it shows up in real spaces.

Why 36 inches? The practical benefits

First, 36 inches is three feet wide. That extra space isn’t just a comfort feature; it’s a functional one. Consider a wheelchair or a walker. A typical wheelchair needs more than a sliver of clearance to pass through a doorway, especially when someone is turning a corner, guiding a cart, or assisted by another person. In a busy lobby, a 36-inch doorway reduces the chances of someone nudging the frame or ducking to one side to make way. It also provides room for a person using mobility aids to turn slightly or adjust their position without feeling squeezed.

Beyond individual devices, think of the rhythm of a common area. Corridors in clinics, day centers, or apartment buildings carry traffic in waves—patients with charts, staff with carts, visitors with coffee in hand. A wider doorway helps the flow stay even, not jammed. In emergencies or rush moments, that extra inch or two isn’t a luxury; it’s a safety feature that makes safer, swifter movement possible.

ADA and local codes: what actually guides the number

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets clear expectations for accessibility. ADA standards call for a minimum clear width of about 32 inches for door openings when a door is open at 90 degrees, which makes it technically possible for most mobility devices to pass through. In practice, however, many facilities aiming to minimize pinch points and improve maneuverability opt for 36 inches as the standard in common areas. It’s a well-understood target that balances the letter of accessibility rules with the realities of busy public spaces and the diverse devices people use.

Local Missouri codes typically follow national standards while adding eye-level, site-specific tweaks. In other words, you’ll see the ADA guidelines in play, and you’ll also see architects and facility managers adopting a 36-inch minimum to reduce friction in daily use and to plan for ongoing changes in equipment and needs. If you’re involved in a Missouri project, a quick check with the local building department or a code consultant is a smart move. They’ll confirm whether your town has any unique amendments and whether a 36-inch doorway is required for your particular common area.

Where this matters most: real-world places

• Hospitals and clinics: The hallways and exam rooms get a lot of traffic, and equipment often moves through on wheels. A 36-inch doorway helps a patient in a portable chair, a nurse with a gurney, or a transporter with a cart pass through without delay. It also reduces the risk of doors becoming chokepoints at shift change.

• Senior living and assisted living: Residents may walk with canes or walkers, and some will need wheelchairs at times. Wider doors reduce the awkward moments when someone is trying to navigate a doorway while another person holds a door or a walker. It’s not just courtesy—it’s dignity in daily life.

• Community centers and public services: People come with strollers, carts, or bulky gear. A wider entry keeps events accessible and inclusive, which matters for the whole community.

• Residential buildings with shared spaces: Lobbies, mail rooms, and laundry areas get heavy use. When doors are wider, residents and visitors with mobility devices feel confident navigating shared spaces safely.

How to measure and verify doors the right way

If you’re part of a project team or a facility manager, here’s a practical way to approach the check:

• Look at the clear width, not just the door leaf. The door itself might be wide, but the frame and hardware can eat into usable space. The goal is the clear opening, which is the space someone actually has to pass through.

• Consider the door swing. A door that swings into a tight corner or against a wall can feel narrower than it actually is. If the door swing reduces clear width when open, reconfigure hardware or hinge placement if feasible.

• Account for thresholds and door hardware. Thresholds, weatherstripping, and handles can nibble away at usable space. Lever handles are often preferred for ease of use, but they shouldn’t intrude into the opening.

• Check the proposed or actual traffic patterns. In a high-traffic common area, plan for 36 inches of clear width along the most-used segment of the doorway, not just a single point in time.

• Don’t forget accessibility in dual doors. If a doorway uses double doors, the inactive leaf should still allow a comfortable approach. Some facilities install automatic or delayed-action closures to keep the space usable while maintaining safety.

Common pitfalls and practical fixes

• Narrow corridors, wide doors mismatch: If the corridor is tight, it can feel like the door is fighting the space rather than welcoming it. The fix isn’t always bigger doors; sometimes it’s reconfiguring the flow so the door doesn’t swing into a busy path.

• Thresholds that trip people up: A raised threshold can be a trip hazard or a barrier for wheelchairs. A flush threshold or a low-profile transition helps maintain the clear width.

• Inconsistent door hardware: Heavy, projecting hardware can intrude into the doorway. Try slimline handles or lever hardware that fits within the clear opening without catching on clothing or mobility devices.

• Double doors without a plan: If you have two doors, the space between them should still allow 36 inches of clearance. If the gap is tight, consider a single wide door or ensure the inactive leaf doesn’t obstruct the path when open.

• Regular maintenance matters: Doors slip out of alignment, hardware loosens, and weatherstripping compresses over time. Routine checks help keep the doorway width effectively at 36 inches.

A Missouri-specific lens: practical touches to keep in mind

Missouri’s building culture often blends practical design with a nod to universal access. In public-facing facilities, the 36-inch standard for common-area doors plays nicely with the state’s emphasis on inclusive spaces. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about welcoming people of all ages and abilities—whether they’re visiting for a quick appointment, helping a family member, or living in a place that feels easy to navigate.

If you’re evaluating a project in Missouri, a few quick steps help you stay aligned:

• Start with ADA guidance, then tailor to the site. The ADA provides the baseline, but local codes and architectural plans can shape details. A site-specific review helps you avoid surprises during construction or renovation.

• Talk to the folks who use the space. Facilities teams, caregivers, and residents can offer insights about what works and what doesn’t in real life. Their feedback can reveal where 36 inches is the practical minimum and where additional width would be a clear win.

• Plan for future needs. Mobility devices evolve, and spaces may need to accommodate heavier equipment or different configurations down the line. Build in some flexibility—without sacrificing the target width.

A few everyday analogies to keep the point memorable

• Think of a doorway like a welcome mat for movement. A wide entry says, “Come on in, there’s space for you.” A narrow one can feel constraining, even if the rest of the room is inviting.

• Picture a crowded grocery store aisle. If the doorway opens to a busy path, you want to avoid bottlenecks just as you’d avoid blocking the main thoroughfare with a too-tight entry.

• Consider theater seating. In a space designed for shared use, the door width acts like the backstage area: it should be wide enough to move equipment and people smoothly, not just wide enough to meet a minimum standard.

Final thoughts: accessibility as a daily habit

Accessibility isn’t a one-and-done checklist item. It’s a mindset that threads through design decisions, renovations, and daily maintenance. In Missouri spaces, the 36-inch minimum in common areas is a practical rule of thumb that helps keep doors welcoming, safe, and functional for everyone who passes through. It supports independence, reduces risk, and makes shared spaces better for all kinds of movement—from strollers and carts to wheelchairs and walkers.

If you’re involved in planning or maintaining facilities, here are a few takeaways to carry forward:

• Prioritize clear width in all commonly used doorways and verify it during design reviews.

• Treat 36 inches as a practical standard for public-facing areas, with attention to the actual space people use as they pass through.

• Balance code compliance with real-world usability by incorporating feedback from staff and residents.

• Keep doors and thresholds in good shape. A well-maintained doorway runs smoother and stays accessible longer.

Accessibility isn’t a single rule to apply and forget. It’s an ongoing practice of asking: Will this doorway serve everyone who uses it today and tomorrow? In Missouri, that question helps create spaces that feel inviting, safe, and genuinely usable for every person who walks through the door. And when a doorway does its quiet, essential job well, you barely notice it—until you do notice it, and you realize how much it matters.