Exit Door Panic Hardware Requirements
Understanding code requirements for panic hardware.
Exit door panic hardware requirements. Door latching assembly incorporating a device which releases the latch upon application of a force in the direction of exit travel. Basically if a door doesn t have a lock with a push pull or a latch the door is not legally required to need panic hardware. Panic hardware is just like it sounds. 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.
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. A rim panic device is surface mounted on the door with the latch projecting from the panic device rather than the door edge. Latching and locking doors that are hand activated and which are in a path of travel shall be operable with a single effort by lever type hardware by panic bars push pull activating bars or other hardware designed to provide passage without requiring the ability to grasp the opening hardware. 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.
For example this should not be less than 30 inches and not more than 44 inches above the floor. Panic hardware cannot be used on a fire door because of the danger of trapping people inside during a fire. Such device must be a minimum of one half the width of the door in length. Code publications define panic hardware as a door latching assembly incorporating a device that releases the latch upon the application of a force.
Locked exit doors shall operate as above in the. Sometimes panic hardware is called fire exit hardware or they may be referred to as egress doors. 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. Above all equip doors with panic hardware and fire exit hardware.
This is the simplest configuration of panic hardware and the easiest to maintain. Hardware consisting of bars that extend to at least half of the width of the door leaf.