Creating Barrier-Free Access: A Guide for Calgary Property Managers

Creating Barrier-Free Access: A Guide for Calgary Property Managers

In today’s property management landscape, barrier-free access is no longer optional—it’s an expectation. Whether you manage commercial buildings, office spaces, or residential complexes in Calgary, ensuring accessibility for all visitors and tenants is key to both compliance and quality of experience.

This guide will walk Calgary property managers through:

• What barrier-free access means
• Alberta Building Code and CSA compliance
• Key upgrades like automatic doors and handicap push buttons
• Add-ons like motion sensors and battery backups
• How to plan and implement upgrades across your buildings

Ready to upgrade your building's entry systems? View our automatic door installation services in Calgary

What is Barrier-Free Access?

Barrier-free access refers to design strategies and features that allow individuals with physical disabilities or mobility challenges to enter, move through, and use a space without obstruction.

In Calgary and across Alberta, this includes:

• Doorways that open automatically or with push buttons
• Entrances with no steps or thresholds
• Proper door opening widths
• Hardware like levers instead of knobs
• Proper mounting height for handicap door buttons
• Tactile and visual signage

Many of these elements are now required in commercial and public buildings under both the Alberta Building Code and CSA B651-18 Accessible Design for the Built Environment.

‍Why It Matters for Property Managers in Calgary

As a property manager, you're responsible for:

• Meeting provincial accessibility codes
• Keeping tenants and visitors safe
• Ensuring your building is inclusive and welcoming
• Staying competitive in the rental or commercial lease market

Barrier-free features like automatic doors and touchless entry systems aren’t just compliance checkboxes—they’re part of what modern tenants expect in professional buildings.

Learn more about our Calgary handicap door button installation services

Common Accessibility Upgrades for Entry Points

Here are the most common (and often required) upgrades for creating barrier-free building access in Calgary:

✅ Automatic Swing Door Operators

Retrofit existing doors with motorized openers that comply with Alberta’s accessibility code. Ideal for most commercial entryways.

✅ Handicap Door Buttons

Installed between 800mm–1200mm high with clear signage. We offer wall-mounted and bollard options.
Explore our handicap door button systems

✅ Motion Sensors for Touchless Access

A modern and hygienic upgrade that complements any automatic door. Especially helpful in medical or high-traffic environments.

✅ Battery Backup Systems

Ensure your doors remain operational during power outages—crucial for safety and compliance.

✅ Sliding Automatic Doors

Best for high-traffic entryways like clinics, malls, and retail outlets. Offers wide clearances and smooth operation.

View our Calgary automatic door service page

Code Compliance: What You Need to Know

Here’s a quick breakdown of key accessibility standards from the Alberta Building Code and CSA B651-18:

FeatureRequirementDoor WidthMinimum 850mm clear openingHandicap Button Height800–1200mm from floorForce to OpenNo more than 38NAutomatic Door DelayMin 3 seconds open, 3 seconds closingObstruction-Free ZoneClear of trash cans, signs, etc.

Failure to meet these can lead to liability risks, fines, or delays in occupancy permits—particularly for new builds and renovations.

Add-Ons That Enhance Accessibility

We also offer a range of custom add-ons to help property managers go beyond compliance:

• Post-mounted buttons for clear, accessible actuation
• Key fob access systems for secure entries
• Visual and audible door indicators
• Braille signage
• Custom door finishes to match building aesthetics

Need help choosing the right solution for your building type? Contact our team for a free site assessment.

Best Properties to Prioritize

If you’re managing any of the following, accessibility upgrades should be a top priority:

• Commercial office buildings
• Healthcare or dental clinics
• Government and municipal properties
• Apartments or senior living buildings
• Educational institutions
• Daycares or recreation centers
• Retail plazas or malls

Tenants and patrons expect modern entry systems that accommodate all levels of mobility. Many tenants, especially medical or government, may even require them in lease agreements.

How to Plan a Barrier-Free Upgrade

Here’s a simple step-by-step for property managers:

1. Audit your current entrances
   • Note obstacles, step-ups, heavy doors, non-compliant buttons
2. Consult with an expert
   • We offer free walk-throughs to identify code gaps and practical improvements
3. Choose your upgrade path
   • Retrofit vs. new system, motion sensors, battery backups, etc.
4. Schedule installation
   • We work around your building hours to avoid disruptions
5. Maintain your systems
   • Annual checks keep your systems compliant and functional

Work With Calgary’s Accessibility Experts

We’ve helped hundreds of property managers, developers, and business owners across Calgary and nearby cities—including Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks—install barrier-free entry systems that are:

• Fully code compliant
• Modern and secure
• Durable and low-maintenance
• Custom-fit to your property’s design and traffic

Get a quote for automatic door installation and barrier-free upgrades

Final Thoughts

Barrier-free access is more than a box to check—it’s a sign of a thoughtful, future-ready building. Whether you manage one property or a whole portfolio across Calgary, accessibility upgrades like automatic doors and handicap buttons are one of the best investments you can make.

They improve safety.
They build tenant trust.
They keep you code-compliant.

Let us help you make it happen.