Last week I started a series of posts looking at the code requirements related to automatic sliding doors – the topic of the first post was the break out / break away function. While I was reading up on the related code requirements, I noticed something interesting in both the I-Codes and the NFPA codes.
The minimum clear opening width for most doors is 32 inches, measured with the door in the 90-degree open position, between the face of the door and the stop on the frame. For pairs of doors, at least one leaf must provide this clear opening width, measured from the face of the open door to the edge of the other leaf in the closed position (or to the mullion, if present).
For automatic sliding doors with the break out / break away feature, each set of model codes includes an exception stating that the requirement for one leaf to provide a clear opening width of 32 inches does not apply. The exceptions are slightly different, with the I-Codes requiring a minimum of 32 inches of clear opening width total (both leaves when broken out). The NFPA codes require each leaf to provide at least 30 inches clear.
For reference, here are the exceptions:
I-Codes: For a biparting door in the emergency breakout mode, a door leaf located within a multiple-leaf opening shall be exempt from the minimum 32-inch (813 mm) single-leaf requirement of Section 1010.1.1, provided that a minimum 32-inch (813 mm) clear opening is provided when the two biparting leaves meeting in the center are broken out.
NFPA: In the emergency breakout mode, a door leaf located within a two-leaf opening shall be exempt from the minimum 32 in. (810 mm) single-leaf requirement of 7.2.1.2.3.2(1), provided that the clear width of the single leaf is not less than 30 in. (760 mm).
Any questions?
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Do the model codes require a panic release bar, or do they allow simply pushing on the door(s) to cause them to open? I ask because some manufacturers sell units with a built-in panic bar as well as units that are just “push and it will open”.
Or, are the units with panic bar intended for locations where the AHJ requires panic? Perhaps those AHJs consider “just push and it will open” to be “special knowledge” ?
Hi Joel –
If the doors are not equipped with a latch or lock, pushing on the door is acceptable. The units with panic hardware are required where the doors are equipped with a lock or latch and the doors are serving a space that requires panic hardware. I hope that makes sense.
– Lori
Are those measurements correct how can one door min requirement be 32″ (813mm) and the second door 32″ (810mm) ?
Hi David –
For automatic sliders, the 32-inch minimum is based on both doors when they are in break-out mode.
– Lori