Those of us who have worked in the door and hardware industry for a while are familiar with past tragedies like the fires at the Iroquois Theatre and the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub. Knowing that history, this egress door serving an auditorium gives me chills.
When push/pull (non-latching) hardware is used on doors serving assembly occupancies, panic hardware is not required, but when the door needs to lock or latch, the hardware must be panic hardware or fire exit hardware. This surface bolt could prevent the occupants of the auditorium from exiting quickly if there is an emergency.
Thank you to Jon McKinney of The Jeske Company for sending me today’s Fixed-it Friday photo.
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Lori,
I don’t want to make a blanket statement about ALL theater people but as I have stated in previous posts, I have written more violation notices at my two universities theaters than in almost any other building on the three campuses. They seem to have the opinion that “you can’t tell me I’m wrong if I don’t ask you first”. Better to ask for forgiveness than for permission. I wish I had taken photos of the curtains blocking all the exits!!! Darn!!!
Lori,
You quote code language above. What code and section numbers? Thanks
Hi Kevin –
Do you mean the code language that requires panic hardware if the door has a lock or latch? It’s in the IBC, IFC, and NFPA 101. I’m not sure which code has been adopted in your jurisdiciton, but here is where it is stated in the 2015 IFC:
1010.1.10 Panic and fire exit hardware. Doors serving a Group H occupancy and doors serving rooms or spaces with an occupant load of 50 or more in a Group A or E occupancy shall not be provided with a latch or lock other than panic hardware or fire exit hardware.
Exceptions:
1. A main exit of a Group A occupancy shall be permitted to be locking in accordance with Section 1010.1.9.3, Item 2.
2. Doors serving a Group A or E occupancy shall be permitted to be electromagnetically locked in accordance with Section 1010.1.9.9.
Electrical rooms with equipment rated 1,200 amperes or more and over 6 feet (1829 mm) wide, and that contain over-current devices, switching devices or control devices with exit or exit access doors, shall be equipped with panic hardware or fire exit hardware. The doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel.
1010.1.10.1 Installation. Where panic or fire exit hardware is installed, it shall comply with the following:
1. Panic hardware shall be listed in accordance with UL 305.
2. Fire exit hardware shall be listed in accordance with UL 10C and UL 305.
3. The actuating portion of the releasing device shall extend not less than one-half of the door leaf width.
4. The maximum unlatching force shall not exceed 15 pounds (67 N).
Let me know if that’s not what you were looking for.
– Lori
I truly believe that most people do NOT know they are violating any codes by modifying the doors/locking devices. They see a need based on their situation and they call maintenance or facility management to take care of it.
For those of us in the door/hardware industry, step back and consider where you would be if you didn’t end up in this trade (I think we all got here by accident). Would you have any idea that building codes were specific enough to detail what kind of lock goes on a door? I’d bet most people don’t even consider the fact that there are codes at all. It doesn’t cross their mind because they are thinking about what they have to do to get their job done.
I understand facility management at a university or a hospital may be an exception but that would probably only pertain to those in higher levels. The person actually installing the lock, that may have been a neighborhood handyman for years who needed a more reliable and steady income, is just trying to please the staff that asked him/her to find a solution. That surface bolt has been on a shelf in the maintenance shop ever since a code violation was discovered 15 years and 45 maintenance personnel ago, so it’s re-installed on another opening. It will be now be removed and put back on the shelf. In a few years, it will be installed again.
Education is the key!
I agree, and that’s what I’m here for (education)! 🙂
– Lori
And we love and appreciate all that you do Lori. Your blog is a great resource for those in the industry and those that are looking for specific info. Unfortunately, those that don’t know any better have no idea that codes exist for things as simple as decorating fire doors.