Charles Anderson sent me the photos below, of a “secondary” exit from a retail store.  I know it’s Wordless Wednesday, but here’s something you should know.  With a few exceptions*, the requirements for main exits and other exits are usually the same.  If the main exit has to be obvious and available, with one releasing operation to unlatch the door, and a limited amount of opening force, the other exits are subject to those same requirements.  The exit in these photos does not comply with this requirement of the IBC and IFC:

Means of egress doors shall be readily distinguishable from the adjacent construction and finishes such that the doors are easily recognizable as doors. Mirrors or similar reflecting materials shall not be used on means of egress doors. Means of egress doors shall not be concealed by curtains, drapes, decorations or similar materials.

secondary retail exit   secondary retail exit

*A couple of examples of exceptions:  In assembly occupancies, NFPA 101 does not allow delayed egress locks on the main entrance/exit, but does allow them on the other exits.  The IBC allows key-operated locks (double-cylinder deadbolts) on the main entrance/exit of some occupancies, but not on the other exits.

Can you think of some other exceptions where the requirements for the main entrance/exit differ from the other exits?

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