Dormitory Exit (photo)

[LGreene]

A hardware supplier sent me the attached photo yesterday. We were both confused by the signage, which reads "Fire Door - Not an Exit." It's not a fire door in the technical sense, and it sure looks like it should be an exit since it's at the bottom of a stair leading out of a dormitory. Because we're both in the door industry and attuned to door-related code issues, the hardware supplier wrote to the college safety officer asking about the signage. He was told that the signage was required by the local authorities when the building was renovated. Here's my question...under what circumstances would you require this signage? This door opens directly to the exterior. Even if there's another exit discharge that goes from the stair into the building instead of directly outside, this signage seems confusing. I don't know for sure what hardware is on the door and whether it allows free egress. It sorta goes back to our old discussion about "if it looks like an egress door but isn't required for egress, does it have to perform like an egress door?".I'd like to contact the local authorities for my own education and curiosity, but I thought I'd check with you first to see if there's some reason I'm not thinking of.Click to enlarge.

View attachment 1739

View attachment 1739

/monthly_2012_12/572953e72a0c9_DormExit.jpg.9c3c0d032d50809e2925b8c1059b3f5e.jpg

 

[rshuey]

Looks like the door or sign installer no habla ingles.

 

[cda]

With colleges , airports, etc

They try to control which doors people use

So translation is;;; if the building is on fire, use the door, otherwise find another exit.

I wonder what the white sign says???

 

[FM William Burns]

ops

EDIT - I really should read posts more carefully.......I would require this painted signage on the door to be removed if this stairwell exit led directly to the outside since it would be used as an exit by tenants. I don't know of many designers who just throw a stairwell in if not required originally due to dead ends etc. More investigation would be needed for me to come to a final determination. It's Friday!

 

[cda]

There is probably an exit sign inside

 

[cda]

So what is the difference between an " emergency exit " and an " exit "????

http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/181757/2/stock-photo-181757-emergency-exit-door.jpg

Would you allow that sign???

 

[FM William Burns]

Would you allow that sign???

Since the door is indicated as an "emergency exit" and has what appears as legal hardware, I would permit it once I verified operation and made someone come running to turn the key to reset the alarm This would be an example of the desire to maitain people flow in a facility and as long as it works as an exit the signage doesn't bother me.