Fire Exit Door Hardware Requirements

Contrary to what some might believe there is a difference between fire doors and fire exit doors.

Fire exit door hardware requirements.

Non bearing plain steel hinges may be used if they are part of a listed assembly. The ibc 2006 and 2009 editions requires panic hardware and or fire exit hardware on egress doors with an occupant load of 50 people or more in the following. When using a deadbolt in a fire rated exit that is a means of egress the deadbolt must be an interconnected type or a. The nfpa emergency exit door requirements code states there is a maximum travel distance allowed to find an exit.

Panic hardware and fire exit hardware consist of bars that must extend across not less than one half the width of the door leaf not less than 30 inches or more than 44 inches above the floor. This rule also applies to the rear doors of stores and offices as a person may be trapped between the fire and the front door and thus the need to exit from the rear door. 7 only listed fire door hardware shall be used. An opening into an exit must be protected by a self closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency upon the sounding of a fire alarm or employee alarm system.

While these nfpa. 6 a fire door must be free of any obstructions which could prevent the door from operating properly i e wedge door stops chains hook backs etc. Whenever the building is occupied a person shall be able to walk to any exit door and easily without a special knowledge or effort open the door and exit to a public way. Deadbolts do not constitute a latch since they do not automatically engage the strike.

This access to exit requirements seeks to minimize occupants exposure to these and other hazards. With fire exit devices may not have louvers. If there is a fire in the area where occupants are they are already being exposed to smoke fire and heat. Automatic latching mechanisms can include door knobs lever handles and push bar exit devices as long as the hardware is fire listed.

6 fire door frames fire doors frames are not affected by the exposure ratings and opening classifications that apply to doors. An applied force not to exceed 15 pounds will cause the door latch to release. There are specific requirements for electronically controlled egress doors. Panic hardware typically has the dogging feature which allows.

Fire doors are inside buildings residential and commercial and are internal doors that need to be kept closed in order to stop the spread of fire between different areas of a building. Fire door standards and legislative requirements. 8 a fire door must have steel bearing type hinges. Panic hardware and fire exit hardware are two different types of exit devices and the proper selection is determined by code requirements.

Panic hardware is an exit device which is tested for use on a door that is required to have panic hardware but cannot be used on a fire door.