When a fire occurs in a public place, people must be able to escape without running into obstructions. To maintain a clear path, fire doors are often used to contain flames, and they need to abide by egress regulations. Here, the staff at Automatic Door Specialists in Waipahu, HI, break down these regulations for your understanding.

Fire Safety Egress Requirements

Fire doors have to abide by very specific rules to ensure they serve their purpose effectively, including:

• Protected Openings: Along the fire evacuation route, any opening must be protected by a self-closing fire door. It is to remain closed or should automatically close if a fire occurs. This includes exit stairs that lead to different floors rather than outside.
• Side-Hinge: All fire doors between a room and evacuation route must be side-hinged. They must also swing outward into the exit route if the room is a hazardous area—such as a lab with chemicals and combustibles—or designed to hold over 50 people.
• Clearly Marked: Fire doors that lead to another floor and not outside along the evacuation route must be clearly labeled “Not an Exit” so occupants know not to use them. They can also be labeled to explain their use, such as “Janitorial.”
• Door Opening Guidelines: If a fire door is used as an exit, any person must be able to open it from the inside at all times without the need for keys or special tools. A panic bar can be used. Any alarm devices that may interfere with the door opening are not permitted.

By following these egress requirements you’ll not only ensure you aren’t fined, but that occupants can also get to safety in case of a fire. If you’re interested in installing fire doors or want to have your existing ones repaired, turn to the professionals at Automatic Door Specialists. They offer comprehensive door installation and maintenance services. With their over 25 years of experience, they have the know-how to ensure everything is up to code. Call (808) 678-8880 or visit their website and Facebook to learn more about their commercial door installation services.