Fire Rated Door Opening Force

I did a post on opening force for accessibility a while back but it s important to note that fire rated doors are not required to open with 5 pounds of force.

Fire rated door opening force. Life safety code the international building code ibc and the international fire code ifc. Standard for fire doors and other opening protectives nfpa 101. The force for pushing or pulling open a door or gate. Door opening force fire doors shall have a minimum opening force allowable by the appropriate administrative authority.

5 0 pounds 22 2 n maximum. The readout on the gauge shows you the force required to open the door. The force for pushing or pulling open interior swinging egress doors other than fire doors shall not exceed 5 pounds 22 n these forces do not apply to the force required to retract latch bolts or disengage other devices that hold the door in a closed position. Fire doors shall have the minimum opening force allowable by the appropriate administrative authority.

2 hand activated door opening hardware shall be centered between 30 inches and 44 inches above the floor. Heavy duty spring hinges and one 4 1 2 in. Door and gate spring hinges shall be adjusted so that from the open position of 70 degrees the door or gate shall move to the closed position in 1 5 seconds minimum ada 404 2 9 door and gate opening force fire doors shall have a minimum opening force allowable by the appropriate administrative authority the force for pushing or pulling open. The door panel and frame are both made from galvanneal steel to secure and protect your home or building.

I got an email today about a fire rated door that would not reliably close with the closer adjusted to provide 5 pounds of opening force. The force for pushing or pulling open doors other than fire doors shall be as follows. The best way to measure door opening force is by using a door force gauge also called a door pressure gauge. It comes complete with an entrance cylinder lever lockset two 4 1 2 in.

Heavy duty concealed hinge. Measure door opening force and closing speed. Fire rated door assemblies must meet the requirements of the applicable building or life safety code such as the national fire protection association nfpa 80. To do this first unlatch the door and then press the gauge against the door.

The door and frame assembly is fire rated with a 1 1 2 hours fire rating. Spring hinges door spring hinges shall be adjusted so that from the open position of 70 degrees the door shall move to the closed position in 1 5 seconds minimum. Sliding or folding door. 5 0 pounds 22 2 n maximum 2.