Over the last 10 years, readers of iDigHardware have learned a lot about the code requirements that apply to doors, but sometimes it can be difficult to transfer that “book learning” to real-world questions. I’m thinking that maybe we need a new category of iDH posts to help us practice – what do you think?
Let’s give it a try. The partial plan below shows a music classroom in a high school. Based on the classroom size of 28 feet x 40 feet, answer the questions below the plan, based on the International Building Code (any edition). There are links below to more information if you need it.
A) What is the calculated occupant load of this classroom?
B) Are all 3 doors (2 singles and 1 pair) required for egress?
C) Are the doors serving this room required to be outswinging?
D) Do the doors require panic hardware?
Leave your answers (or questions!) in the reply box, and I will hold them until tomorrow when I will share the answers (here are the answers!).
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56 ol
No only two separate doors
Yes swing out
Panic hardware required E occupancy
A) 56
B) No
C) Yes
D) Yes
A) 56
B) No, only two; the pair and the single at the south
C) Yes, only the pair and the single at the south
D) Only the pair and the single at the south, if they need to latch or lock.
A. 56
B. No
C. Yes
D. Yes
A) What is the occupant load of this classroom? **56 occs.
B) Are all 3 doors (2 singles and 1 pair) required for egress? ** No, just the pair and the single door facing south of classroom are required.
C) Are the doors serving this room required to be outswinging? ** Yes, occupant load is over 50 occs.
D) Do the doors require panic hardware? ** Yes, per Section 1008.10
Tricky, tricky, tricky. (IBC 2018)
A) T1004.5 – Educational, classroom – 20 net. 28×40=1120. 1120/20=56.
B) T1006.2.1 – Educational – >49 = 2 exits req’d. I have to assume one single door goes into an exit access corridor. You can’t exit through the OT/PT room (1016.2)
C) Outswing (1010.1.2.1)
D) Yes. (1010.1.10)
A. 56 is design OL, but could be higher
B. No
C. Yes
D. Yes
A- 56, B- No, C- Yes, D- Yes
A – 56
B – No
C – Yes
D – Yes
A Occupant load 56
B No just two ( exit to exterior) not to adjacent room
C Yes exterior doors
D Yes panic exit devices are req on exit doors based on occupancy
A. 56
B. No (only 2?)
C. Yes
D. More than 50 should get Panics. I do have to say the door leading into the OT/PT room since it is leading to the exterior pair exit is not required but if it is there and leads to an exit will need to be outswinging and get a Panic.
OK, I’ll bite but without the beneft of looking at any copy of the IBC or the links (CA you know . . )
A 40 x 28 = 1120/20 = 56
B No. Only The Pair and the single door to lower right. (Doors are more than 24′ apart (1/2 the diagonal of 48′)). Presumption is that the corridor is a rated corridor given that it also serves as an exit for the auditorium.
C) Yes. (Occ Load > 50). One could question whether the doors reduce the required corridor width by more than 7 inches, but that might be over thinking the issue.
D) Yes. (Occ load > 50)
A. 56 Occupant Load ( 28′ x 40′ = 1120 / 20 = 56)
B. Yes, 2 exits are required for Occupant loads greater than 49
C. Yes,Doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel where serving an occupant load of 50 or more persons
D. Yes,Assembly occupancies with an occupant load of 50 people or more
A) By seeing fixed seating arrangment, i guess occupant load is 30 +4 (assumption).
B) Since Occupant load is less than 50, not all doors are required for egress.
C) if occupant load exceeds 50, by code it should swing out in the path of egress, if its less than 50, it can be inswing.
D) only if occupant load exceeds 50, panic hardware is requried. else calssroom secuirty lock is enough
A) Occupancy Load – 56. 28 x 40 = 1120/20
B) No. One leaf if the pair could be hold by flush bolts.
C) Yes
D) Yes, the single and active leaf of pair.
A. The occupant load is 56, based on 20 sf/occupant.
B. Only 2 means of egress are required; the door to OT/PT does not appear to comply.
C. Both egress doors need to swing out due to occupant load.
D. Both egress doors need panic devices due to occupant load.
Also, if that is an operable panel partition separating Music from OT/PT, the OT/PT door also requires a panic device, as the combined occupant load would be well over 50.
Getting even deeper in the weeds, I’m would expect OT/PT to have 2 means of egress as well (we all know that classrooms change function frequently…today OT/PT, tomorrow Math or Language Arts!).
A. 30
B. NO 30X.15=4.5
C. Yes
D. NO below 50
The room above it worries me more. One exit no fixed seats and the wall between is not the same as all the others so is it a partition or folding wall? If so all answers above and changed except B but the number is much more.
One extra thing I notice is the office door swing takes away a lot of floor space.
I calculate the occupant load at 56 persons (looking at the space as a classroom 20 sf/occupant). Two separate means of egress are required. The third communicating door between the classrooms would not be allowed as a means of egress, nor is it required for egress. Exit devices are required on the two exit doors (not on the door between classrooms). The egress capacity of a single standard 3′-0″ door at both exits will handle the occupant load, so only two single doors are required. However, if the use of the space dictated double doors for moving things like a piano in and out of the room a double door could be used with the inactive secured with automatic or manual bolts.
Beyond the questions you present, I see a couple of things that may become issues. The two required means of egress will need further evaluation to see if they meet the requirements for being “remotely located” from one another. Second, ADA approach clearances (18″ min, 24″ preferred) appear not to be met on the pull side of the single door – since it will have a closer.
Did I win??!!
You win! Except there’s no prize. 🙂
I actually edited the plan – the door was there but led to what looked like an electrical room or pipe chase. You were one of the few who noticed the missing maneuvering clearance on the single door. Great job!
– Lori
A. I calculate the occupant load at 56 occupants
B. No, three doors are not required.
C. Yes, the doors are required to be outswinging.
D. Yes, panic hardware is required.