Cross-CorridorThe 2009 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) contains an important change that’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.  I stumbled across it a few months ago when someone asked me about the exception for cross-corridor doors without positive latching in I-2 occupancies.

This exception is found in Section 709 – Smoke Barriers, which references section 715 for openings in smoke barriers.  Section 715.3.3 states that door assemblies in smoke barriers are required to have a minimum fire protection rating of 20 minutes, and typically a 20-minute-rated door would need to be self-closing, self-latching, and be gasketed in order to pass UL 1784.

According to the exception in the earlier editions of the IBC, cross-corridor double-egress pairs in I-2 occupancies (hospitals, nursing homes, mental hospitals, and detox facilities), are not required to have positive latching.  However, the 2009 edition states that positive-latching devices are not required “where permitted by the door manufacturer’s listing.”  If these doors are required to be 20-minute-rated, I don’t know of any door manufacturer’s listing that allows the positive latching to be omitted.  I guess time will tell.

The 2000, 2003, and 2006 editions of the IBC:

709.5 Openings. Openings in a smoke barrier shall be protected in accordance with section 715.
Exception. In Group I-2, where such doors are installed across corridors, a pair of opposite-swinging doors without a center mullion shall be installed having vision panels with approved fireresistance-rated glazing materials in approved fire-resistance-rated frames, the area of which shall not exceed that tested. The doors shall be close fitting within operational tolerances, and shall not have undercuts, louvers or grilles. The doors shall have head and jamb stops, astragals or rabbets at meeting edges and automatic-closing devices. Positive-latching devices are not required.

The 2009 edition of the IBC:

710.5 Openings. Openings in a smoke barrier shall be protected in accordance with Section 715.
Exceptions:
1. In Group I-2
, where doors are installed across corridors, a pair of opposite-swinging doors without a center mullion shall be installed having vision panels with fire-protection-rated glazing materials in fire-protection-rated frames, the area of which shall not exceed that tested. The doors shall be close fitting within operational tolerances, and shall not have undercuts in excess of 3/4-inch, louvers or grilles. The doors shall have head and jamb stops, astragals or rabbets at meeting edges and shall be automatic-closing by smoke detection in accordance with Section 715.4.8.3.
Where permitted by the door manufacturer’s listing, positive-latching devices are not required.
2. In Group I-2, horizontal sliding doors installed in accordance with Section 1008.1.4.3 and protected in accordance with Section 715.

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