ADA vs TAS for Texas commercial doors: what's actually different
Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) align with ADA in most ways — but a few details trip up out-of-state trade pros. Here's what to spec differently.
If you're working a Texas commercial project, you're complying with both the federal ADA and the state-level TAS. They're aligned 95% of the time — but the differences matter for inspection, and TAS is what the project will actually be reviewed against.
The shared baseline
Both ADA and TAS require, at the typical door opening:
- 32" minimum clear width with the door open 90 degrees
- Maximum opening force of 5 lbf for interior non-fire-rated doors
- Threshold height no greater than 1/2" (with a 1:2 bevel above 1/4")
- Lever-style or push/pull hardware mounted between 34" and 48" above the finished floor
- Hardware operable with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting
TAS-specific differences
- Submittal requirement: TAS projects require a Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS) review for buildings over $50,000 in construction cost. Door schedules are part of that review.
- Inspection: a TAS inspection happens after construction. ADA does not require this; ADA is enforced by lawsuit, not pre-inspection.
- Documentation: TAS expects detail drawings of every accessible route, including door clearances at each end of the opening.
- Maneuvering clearances: TAS is slightly more specific than ADA about the floor area required on each side of the door — particularly for doors equipped with closers and latches.
Send your door schedule to the RAS during design, not after install. They'll catch the issues that would cause re-work — and they're generally happy to advise during design when there's still time to fix things.
What we always do for Texas projects
- Quote ADA/TAS-compliant lever hardware by default. Knobs aren't compliant; lever hardware is.
- Quote low-profile aluminum thresholds (max 1/2" with a beveled rise).
- Quote closer adjustments documented for under 5 lbf opening force where required.
- Include the TAS data sheet in the submittal package on request.
If you have a project under RAS review, send us the door schedule with the accessibility designations and we'll match the hardware spec to the review requirements.
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