![]() 03/24/2017 at 20:38 • Filed to: Of comings and goings | ![]() | ![]() |
This door at my hotel in SF has something I haven’t seen before. See it?
There is an extra door opening button near the floor. Best I can figure, it would be for some one to kick with their wheelchair or cane? Or maybe it’s so a service animal can open the door.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 20:46 |
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Plot twist: it does nothing.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 20:51 |
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Interesting. Must be intended to be nudged by the chair itself, if the occupant can’t reach the upper one? .
![]() 03/24/2017 at 20:53 |
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Despite the icon on the button, it might just be a general-use opener for everyone. This being a hotel, I could see this coming in really handy for guests who are carrying luggage.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 20:56 |
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I’m more curious as to why there is dimpled paving as least a few feet from the door and several feet from the kerbside (dimpled paving in the U.K. means a crossing for visually impaired people) but also what appears as non slip mats either side of it.
”The tactile paving is supposed to indicate a change in road surface or a safe place to cross.”
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:06 |
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double plot twist, they both do nothing.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:10 |
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Or, opens the door on the left.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:13 |
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and the right one, inwards. Ouch.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:27 |
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That would be funny. But I tested it.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:28 |
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That would be doubly funny, but I tested both. Because I am never able to leave a button unpushed. It’s gotten me in trouble on more than one occasion.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:29 |
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Nah, how likely is that?
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:33 |
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The problem I see with dimpling is that it also provides a surface to stumble on, especially if one using an assistive device like a cane or walker.
Maybe the mats are just to wipe your feet on, or perhaps to provide the metaphorical “red carpet”.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:34 |
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That’s a very good point. If your hands are full, having a button you can kick would be very useful.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:34 |
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My first thought as well.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:42 |
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Randomly unrelated, Amtrak cars also used to have a kick button to walk between them. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden one but I’d assume they still do?
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:44 |
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On a side note - I was at a Chevron gas pump the other day and noticed for the first time that there was a small keypad down by where the pumps hang up that activated the button locations on the main standing-height touch screen. It seemed to me like a good addition to the traditional “honk for assistance” signs. Is this something that I’ve just never noticed before?
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:47 |
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I am never able to leave a button unpushed
My ex used to say that to me all the time. Ba dum tish.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:53 |
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The ‘dimples’ are only about 2mm in height. They are sufficient for there to be a noticeable difference under foot without it being a tripping hazard.
They are thoroughly tested for all sorts of disabled and able bodied use.
Anything above 4-5mm is classed as a trip hazard. Back in 2013 someone tripped over a raised paving slab in my city, and because it was over 4mm in height they got £37,000 in compensation from the local council.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 21:58 |
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Ever been on one, but that’s a great idea
![]() 03/24/2017 at 22:01 |
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That’s a fairly recent thing you see on some new pumps. I don’t have any problem reaching the regular keys. So, I don’t know how useful they are to others, but it’s good that companies are thinking about these things.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 22:01 |
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That’s a fairly recent thing you see on some new pumps. I don’t have any problem reaching the regular keys. So, I don’t know how useful they are to others, but it’s good that companies are thinking about these things.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 22:04 |
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Groan.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 22:08 |
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All I know is, my front castors can get caught on the smallest of ruts and throw me if I hit one just right. But, I can see the advantages outweigh potential problems.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 22:09 |
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‘Groan’
That’s what I said. :)
![]() 03/24/2017 at 22:16 |
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Stahp!
![]() 03/24/2017 at 22:25 |
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My step-father’s wheel chair hasn’t had any issues. The front wheels are about 3cm wide by 19-20cm high.
There are whole books on regulations on steps, kerbs, road edges, pedestrian crossings, crossings for visual and mobility impaired.
There was a thing a few years back that the main wheel chair centre in town didn’t have a ramp and only had steps. They couldn’t put a ramp in because the building was a listed historical building so rather than slap the person round the back of the head for who thought it was a good idea to move to that building, and then move to the vacant property on the other side of the junction that had sat empty for years that didn’t need a ramp to get in they went to court and had a special provision to put a ramp in but if they ever move from the building they have to restore the building to as was condition before they carried out the changes.
![]() 03/24/2017 at 22:34 |
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That’s a pretty good idea!