Door Swing and Encroachment

[LGreene]

I have a monthly column on door-related code requirements in Doors & Hardware magazine, and I just posted my next article which is on Door Swing and Encroachment. This is meant to give a basic understanding of these two requirements to people in the door and hardware industry. Sometimes I get a little too focused on the door aspects of things, so if any of you have time to take a look, I'd appreciate your feedback. I have until 11/5 to make changes.

I Dig Hardware / I Hate Hardware » Decoded: Door Swing and Encroachment

 

[Paul Sweet]

Good article, Lori!

 

[mtlogcabin]

Very well written article

I don't want to high jack your post but I was wondering how others handle doors that are directly across from each other Example

A school with a 72" corridor. Directly across from each other are 36 inch exit doors leading from each class room. 1 door opens at 90 degrees meet the code. Both doors open at the same time during a required evacuation would block the corridor.

How do others view this scenario?

Allowed

Not allowed.

 

[kilitact]

Very well written articleI don't want to high jack your post but I was wondering how others handle doors that are directly across from each other Example

A school with a 72" corridor. Directly across from each other are 36 inch exit doors leading from each class room. 1 door opens at 90 degrees meet the code. Both doors open at the same time during a required evacuation would block the corridor.

How do others view this scenario?

Allowed

Not allowed.

Not allowed

 

[LGreene]

Very well written articleI don't want to high jack your post but I was wondering how others handle doors that are directly across from each other Example

A school with a 72" corridor. Directly across from each other are 36 inch exit doors leading from each class room. 1 door opens at 90 degrees meet the code. Both doors open at the same time during a required evacuation would block the corridor.

How do others view this scenario?

Allowed

Not allowed.

Thanks! I noticed this in the 2009 IBC Commentary when I was researching the article:

Historically this section has looked at doors on one

wall at a time. Doors located across the hall from one

another are not considered additive when considering

protrusion limits. Doors would not typically be opened

to the full extent at exactly the same moment, nor

would they remain open at 90 degrees and totally

blocking the hall because of the maximum limitation of

7 inches (178 mm) when fully open. A cross-reference

back to this section from the exceptions for width in corridors

(Section 1018.3), aisles (Section 1017.1), exit

passageways (Section 1023.2) and exit courts (Section

1027.5.1) reinforces the fact that this provision is

generally applicable for these types of confined routes.