This was the very first post written on iDigHardware back in 2009.  I’m saving it for posterity, but there is an updated article on the NEC requirements for panic hardware on electrical rooms.  Click here for the updated article.

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Beginning with the 2002 edition, the National Electric Code (NFPA 70) requires that certain types of electric rooms have doors that open in the direction of egress and are “equipped with panic bars, pressure plates, or other devices that are normally latched but open under simple pressure.”  According to an engineer I spoke with at the National Fire Protection Association, the releasing device could be a hospital latch or paddle-type release, but the fact that the words “panic bar” are used in the Code has prompted many code officials to require panic hardware.

According to Article 110 of the National Electric Code, personnel doors serving the following types of rooms must comply:

• Rooms housing large equipment – 600 Volts, nominal or less, 1200 amperes or more.
• Rooms housing conductors and equipment used on circuits of over 600 Volts, nominal.
• Transformer Vaults

A common question is whether pairs of electric room doors require panic hardware on both leaves.  The National Electric Code does not address this.  If I am specifying hardware for a new pair of doors, I specify Von Duprin 2227 exit devices on both leaves.  If it is an existing pair or an unequal leaf pair, I specify manual flush bolts on the inactive leaf with a Von Duprin 2227L-F on the active leaf.

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This is the actual language from the National Electric Code (NFPA 70):

The following language occurs in the section called “600 Volts Nominal or Less”, in Article 110, “Requirements for Electrical Installations”.

(2) Large Equipment. For equipment rated 1200 amperes or more and over 1.8 m (6 ft) wide that contains overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices, there shall be one entrance to the required working space not less than 610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m (6 ft) high at each end of the working space. Where the entrance has a personnel door(s), the door(s) shall open in the direction of egress and be equipped with panic bars, pressure plates, or other devices that are normally latched but open under simple pressure.

The following language occurs in the section called “Over 600 Volts, Nominal”, in Article 110, “Requirements for Electrical Installations”.

110.33 Entrance and Access to Work Space.

(A) Entrance. At least one entrance not less than 610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m (6 ft) high shall be provided to give access to the working space about electric equipment. Where the entrance has a personnel door(s), the door(s) shall open in the direction of egress and be equipped with panic bars, pressure plates, or other devices that are normally latched but open under simple pressure.

The following language occurs in the section called “Transformer Vaults”, in Article 450, “Transformers and Transformer Vaults”.

(C) Locks. Doors shall be equipped with locks, and doors shall be kept locked, access being allowed only to qualified persons. Personnel doors shall swing out and be equipped with panic bars, pressure plates, or other devices that are normally latched but open under simple pressure.

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The Von Duprin 22 series exit device is an economical and durable solution for electric room doors which require panic hardware.

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