Fire Exit Door Hardware Requirements

That portion of a means of egress system which is separated from other interior spaces of a building or structure by fire resistance rated construction and opening protectives as required to provide a protected path of egress travel between the exit access and the exit discharge.
Fire exit door hardware requirements. An opening into an exit must be protected by a self closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency upon the sounding of a fire alarm or employee alarm system. Code publications define panic hardware as a door latching assembly incorporating a device that releases the latch upon the application of a force. Panic hardware and fire exit hardware are two different types of exit devices and the proper selection is determined by code requirements. Panic hardware typically has the dogging feature which allows.
The door and frame labels contain a wealth of information including the manufacturer length of time the component is designed to resist fire whether the opening is to be equipped with fire exit hardware and whether the door carries a temperature rise rating or is a smoke door assembly. This access to exit requirements seeks to minimize occupants exposure to these and other hazards. When panic hardware is used on fire doors it must be fire exit hardware that has been tested per ul 10c positive pressure fire tests of door assemblies or another fire test standard and the. 6 fire door frames where a frame bears a recognized label qualify ing it as a fire door frame without an indicated rating it may support a 3 hour a 1 hour 1 2 1 hour a 3 4 hour 1 3 hour or a 20 minute door.
Automatic latching mechanisms can include door knobs lever handles and push bar exit devices as long as the hardware is fire listed. When using a deadbolt in a fire rated exit that is a means of egress the deadbolt must be an interconnected type or a. Panic hardware is an exit device which is tested for use on a door that is required to have panic hardware but cannot be used on a fire door. Some state and local building codes may require.
Deadbolts do not constitute a latch since they do not automatically engage the strike. The use of panic hardware and or fire exit hardware is required by the international building code ibc and nfpa 101 the life safety code depending on which code and which edition of the code is being referenced. The ibc 2006 and 2009 editions requires panic hardware and or fire exit hardware on egress doors with an occupant load of 50 people or more in the following. Panic hardware also known as an exit device or fire exit hardware when used on fire doors is designed to provide fast and easy egress to allow building occupants to exit safely in an emergency.
Fire exit devices may not have louvers unless permitted by local building codes. Each fire door including its frame and hardware must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.