Sometimes Wordless Wednesday photos need a little context. Most of us have seen hotel meeting rooms with exits concealed by curtains…but during a class for code officials??
In case you’re wondering why this is a problem (especially since it’s so common), here’s where the Life Safety Code addresses curtains:
7.5.2.2.1 Hangings or draperies shall not be placed over exit doors or located so that they conceal or obscure any exit, unless otherwise provided in 7.5.2.2.2.
Although curtains ARE allowed by section 7.5.2.2.2, this section is specific to the walls of TENTS. Curtains across egress openings in tent walls must be a contrasting color so they are recognizable as a means of egress, the opening must be at least 6 feet wide, and the curtains must be on slide rings or other hardware that allows them to be readily moved to the side. Interesting, right?
Thanks to Tim Weller of Allegion for the photos!
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Maybe this is test to see which of the AHJ’s would notice.
I have been in meetings in other towns and had them take the padlock off the exit door
Not to top anyone but…..I attend a very big Chief’s Christmas party in a state that shall not be named….. where every door on two sides of a large room (that I am sure is over crowded) has solid curtains (not just shears) covering the exit doors. The problem is most Chiefs and Fire Prevention personnel also attend this gathering!!!!
Wow! Why do you think it is that sometimes fire chiefs, fire inspectors, and firefighters don’t seem to notice the door-related code issues, or maybe they don’t think they’re important enough to address? If we take the curtains for example…someone in that room MUST have noticed them, no? Maybe they didn’t seem like a big deal compared to a non-functioning sprinkler system? Maybe the focus is on actual fires vs. code-compliance? I’m curious.
– Lori
I see it every time I’m in the room but…. It would be a case of winning the battle but losing the war, my commission, my retirement, my life, and my after-life! Of course I’m kidding about the last 4 things….I think!! 🙂
Fire Prevention is always the bastard step-child and the first thing cut if there are too many waves in their pool!!!!
That’s really interesting! You shouldn’t have to jeopardize your life and your after-life by doing your job!
– Lori
Hi Lori:
Like I’ve been saying a number of times, I’ve seen articles on the firefighterclsosecalls blog that told of chiefs that regarded regulations because they wanted to go to a fire in a non mutual aid fire zone and then members got hurt.
Don’t forget to get the flamespread certificate and rating on the curtains.
Hate to be a stick-in-the-mud here, but the door does appear viable in the photo, in fact with the lighting contrast it may be more viable than with no curtain. It’s a judgement call.
I’m actually thrilled to see exit devices on the doors, or at least what appear to be exit devices through the curtain. If the doors actually open the people in this room are much better off than many.
Would those exit areas still be visible during a night class? Wouldn’t have a lighting contrast then…
True, and also it’s not a tent! 🙂
– Lori
Not to get off topic; but how about the table, chairs and people in the path of egress?
Well, yeah. That too! 😀
– Lori
Somehow the old saying” what’s good for the goose “comes up… lol
Or “Do as I do not as I say”…
In any case they should have been pulled back during occupancy. But that would ruin the mood setting