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Home > News & Blogs > Door Hardware Compliance under AS1428.1

Door Hardware Compliance under AS1428.1 - What you need to know


AS1428.1 – Design for Access and Mobility places significant emphasis on door hardware. The standard provides clear requirements for the selection, operation, and placement of handles, locks, latches, and other door controls to ensure doors can be used independently, safely, and comfortably by as many people as possible.


This post breaks down what AS 1428.1-2021 actually requires from door hardware.



Handle Height


Every operable handle, lever, spindle, snib, or privacy turn on a door needs to sit within a defined reach zone. Under AS 1428.1:2021, the centre of the door handle should be installed between 900mm and 1100mm above finished floor level (AFFL), with 1000 mm often treated as the sweet spot for easy reach by both ambulant users and wheelchair users.






Lever Handles and Grip Clearance


Lever handles are generally preferred for hinge and pivot doors as they can be operated with a closed fist, forearm, or elbow - with no fine grip or twisting required. The standard sets out specific dimensions to make sure a lever is genuinely usable:


  • Grip clearance: a gap of 35mm to 45mm between the centre grip section of the handle and the face of the door or back plate.
  • Lever return: the free end of the lever should curve or return back toward the door face, ending at least 20mm from the surface of the centre grip section.




Pull Handles


For sliding doors use "D" shaped pull handles that feature a full-hand graspable surface with:


  • Grip clearance: a clearance of 35mm to 45mm between the centre grip section of the handle and the door surface or back plate, so that a full hand can wrap around it.
  • Grip Height: part of the graspable section must be within the 900mm - 1100mm accessible height band.


Additionally, sliding door pull handles require a minimum of 60mm clearance from the adjacent frame or wall, both when the door is open and when it's closed.




Operating Force


To enhance accessibility for people with limited grip or hand strength, AS1428.1:2021 requires that door hardware be operable with one hand, without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.


For doors other than fire doors and smoke doors, the force required at the door handle to operate the door shall not exceed:

  • 20 N to initially open the door.
  • 20 N to swing (or slide) the door.
  • 20 N to hold the door open between 60° and 90°.

If using a door-closer, it must have an adjustable delayed action or hold-open function.




Getting It Right From the Start


Door hardware may seem like a small detail, but it has a significant impact on how people experience a building. Complying with AS1428 is about far more than meeting regulatory requirements - it's about creating spaces that are safe, functional and welcoming for everyone.


Door Hardware Compliance goes hand-in-hand with the Circulation Requirements Around Doors as per AS1428.1, which you can read about in one of our other blogs: https://www.archskirt.com.au/news-&-blogs/circulation-requirements-around-doors.php



This article is general information only and doesn't replace the current published AS1428.1 standard or advice from a qualified access consultant or building certifier. Always verify requirements against the current edition of the standard and your project's specific conditions.