In my opinion, this pair with panic hardware and a mullion would NOT meet the intent of the model codes if the full width of the opening is required for egress.
I received this Quick Question the other day, and it has been a while since I’ve written about this topic:
Is it acceptable to install panic hardware on a 2-foot-wide door that is part of a 5-foot-wide unequal leaf pair?
Keep in mind that I am not an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and the final decision would be up to the person with authority. With that said, my answer would be yes – it is acceptable as it meets the intent of the model codes. BUT – I will qualify that answer by saying that the opening should not have a mullion.
The model codes and accessibility standards require one leaf of a pair to have a clear opening width of at least 32 inches. In order to comply, one leaf is typically a 3-foot-wide door. For a pair of doors, the clear opening width is measured from the face of that door in the 90-degree position, to the edge of the other leaf in the closed position (or to the edge of the mullion, if applicable).
The codes and standards do not require a particular dimension for the other leaf of the pair of doors. If the opening was originally a 5-foot-wide equal pair, the doors are often changed to an unequal leaf pair (3-foot + 2-foot) so the opening is compliant with today’s requirements. I don’t know of anything stated in the codes or standards that would prohibit the use of panic hardware on the 2-foot leaf.
One thing to keep in mind is that the opening needs to accommodate the required egress capacity of the space it is serving. If the opening had a mullion, the narrow leaf would not meet the requirements for a door in a means of egress. Although this is not specifically stated in the model codes, it seems like common sense to me.
If you disagree, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this question!
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Where do you draw the line? I recently had an architect schedule an exit device on an 18″ inactive leaf.
Good question, David! Code-wise, I don’t have a particular place where I would draw the line, but at some point it becomes a little odd to have panic hardware.
– Lori
I would use a latch set w/o outside trim if with mullion, and auto flush bolt if without Mullion.
Greeting Lori,
What are the type of closing devices available to apply on 2’ leaf having panic hardware?
It will depend on what model closer you want to use, but there are quite a few closers that will fit on a 2-foot door. LCN also has special templates if needed.
– Lori
I would think the hardware set would be:
(6) Hinges – standard weight
(2) Closers – parallel arm
(1) SVR Exit Devices 36″ EO Trim?? on one or both – depending
(1) SVR Exit Device 24″
(1) Astragal
(2) Automatic Flush BOlts
(1) Coordinator
Gasketing
Threshold
Drip Sweep
Overhead drip
This would not include any access control hardware
Would you suggest any thing else?
Hi Jody –
You would not need the auto flush bolts or coordinator if you have 2 panics.
– Lori
Hospital patient room latch paddle on the inside only.