Many use a push bar system that will open the door when pressed down.
Should fire exit doors be locked.
If it is a security door that is usually kept locked but will be used by members of the public in an emergency situation it will have to be fitted with a panic or push bar.
However this presents a problem.
For example this should not be less than 30 inches and not more than 44 inches above the floor.
Fire exit doors should open in the direction of escape.
They must be free of devices or alarms that could restrict use of the exit route if the device or alarm fails.
Emergency routes and fire exits must be indicated by signs.
The final fire exit door must.
Above all equip doors with panic hardware and fire exit hardware.
Openings into exits must have self closing fire doors that remain closed but not locked or automatically close at the sound of an alarm the door frame or hardware must be listed or approved by a national testing laboratory.
Exit route doors must be unlocked from the inside.
Fire exits doors should open easily and wherever possible in the direction of traffic flow.
The door should open in the direction of evacuation.
However in the workplace it may be permissible to have an exit.
It is against both codes to physically lock doors to prevent an occupant s exit from a building room or space.
There should be no locks or catches.
Osha requires that the height of an exit must be seven feet.
Fire exit doors can be any colour.
There are also additional requirements where the door is the final exit point of a building.
The important thing is that the exit doors are clearly signed.
Hardware consisting of bars that extend to at least half of the width of the door leaf.
Side hinged exit doors must be used to connect rooms to exit routes.
In an ideal world you wouldn t have to worry about locking doors but leave one unlocked and you can almost guarantee you ll have uninvited guests.
The need for outward opening fire exit doors official guidance to the rro from the communities and local government department recommends that that all doors on escape routes should open in the direction of escape but states that this is particularly important if more than 60 people use them or they provide an exit from a high fire risk area.
The first although rare restricts use of an exit.