I was scratching my head about this door that I saw in a retail store the other day, so I’m looking for theories from you. The exit door to the left of this one was probably sufficient for the space (maybe there was a rear door too), and I’m guessing the blocked door was not required, but why the signage?
Fifteen years ago I saw a door marked “This is not a door” on the outside, and a firefighter commented that the reason was to let firefighters know that they should not waste time trying to access a building through inoperable doors during a fire. That made sense to me.
So why is the door in the photo marked on the INSIDE? Is there a reason for this?
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Same reason you see
This door to remain unlocked during business hours
On the exterior side of the door
Either:::
Over achievers
Or
Did not understand direction,, to just put it on the outside
Or maybe it was Friday????
Was it labeled on the outside? Based on the “This is not a door” post, I think it might be so people don’t try to get out that door. But that is just a guess. Either way, I would want that door to be unblocked and operational all the time!
Hi Joe –
No, nothing on the outside.
– Lori
This is a strip center with a typical storefront bay spacing that includes an exterior door. This tenant took two spaces and one doors was not needed (very typical).
Maybe the Fire Marshal is being cautious and made them label it so patrons wouldn’t be confused and observant door hardware experts wouldn’t call him on it?
Maybe so! 🙂
– Lori
So people don’t try to egress through it. There are other adequate exits in order to meet code. Still, I’m hoping the FM approved this. The exit sign should be disabled also.
They would have a tough time egressing through this one! 🙂
– Lori
I certainly see no reason for the signage inside. I could understand if there were signage on the door indicating “Not an Exit”
My guess is that it was not a required door, so the AHJ told them they could not mark it as an exit and maybe went the extra step to make it clear that it was not required to be code compliant with signage and hardware? We have had many cases where a change of use or layout has made it so a second or third exit was no longer required, but rather than completely remove it or seal it up, we ensure that there is no signage indicating that it’s and EXIT. In this case a readily visible door may need signage to make it clear that it’s not an exit? If it looks like a door and there’s an emergency, some of us are heading toward it…