Fire Exit Door Hardware Requirements

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.

Fire exit door hardware requirements.

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. Each fire door including its frame and hardware must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Deadbolts do not constitute a latch since they do not automatically engage the strike. Panic hardware and fire exit hardware are two different types of exit devices and the proper selection is determined by code requirements.

An applied force not to exceed 15 pounds will cause the door latch to release. 7 only listed fire door hardware shall be used. Fire door standards and legislative requirements. If there is a fire in the area where occupants are they are already being exposed to smoke fire and heat.

The nfpa emergency exit door requirements code states there is a maximum travel distance allowed to find an exit. There are specific requirements for electronically controlled egress doors. 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. 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.

Contrary to what some might believe there is a difference between fire doors and fire exit doors. Non bearing plain steel hinges may be used if they are part of a listed assembly. 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. 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.

Automatic latching mechanisms can include door knobs lever handles and push bar exit devices as long as the hardware is fire listed. Panic hardware typically has the dogging feature which allows. With fire exit devices may not have louvers. This access to exit requirements seeks to minimize occupants exposure to these and other hazards.

6 fire door frames fire doors frames are not affected by the exposure ratings and opening classifications that apply to doors. 8 a fire door must have steel bearing type hinges. While these nfpa. When using a deadbolt in a fire rated exit that is a means of egress the deadbolt must be an interconnected type or a.

There are no hourly rat ings for a basic fire door frame unless the labeling on the frame specifically states that the frame is rated for something less than 3 hours.