How to Tell a Push Door from a Pull Door

Are you one of those people who always seems to be pushing on the “pull” door or pulling on the “push” door? There’s no need to be embarrassed; there’s still hope for you. Here are several clues to determine if a door you’re approaching is a pull door or a push door:
Check out the hardware. If there’s no handle, then it might be a push door. If there’s a big handle, then it might be a pull door.
Ignore the hinges. Hinges can go either way or both ways.
If you see a sign that says, “Emergency Exit Only Alarm Will Sound” it’s probably a push door but don’t push it.
Some doors have magnetic door holders to keep them open. If you see these holders the door is a pull door.
Push doors must be pushed open. Therefore, there’re usually fingerprints, hand prints, dirt, grease or grime on the door from people pushing it. It’s a push door.
Look for sign that say “OUT” or “IN”.
If you still have no clue, wait for someone heading your direction and follow them.
If no one is going your direction, wait for someone to come from the outside and see if they push or pull.
Here’s a great clue. Usually push doors have a sign that says “PUSH” and pull doors have signs that say, “PULL”.
If all else fails, trip the fire alarm and watch what people do as they exit the building.
Hopefully, these clues will save you from embarrassment. Good luck.
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