Double acting doors

[Codegeek]

Where in the IBC does it prohibit double acting doors? If the door swings in the direction of egress, which a double acting door would do, then why would it be prohibited or is it? There would be no accessibility issue either as the door could be pushed from either direction and does not have a latch and closer so no clearance would be required.

I'm dealing with a plans examiner that is saying a double acting door is prohibited by the IBC but is not citing a code section.

 

[cda]

Sadly it is not the I team for whatever reason has not put it in any of the editions

Tell plan checker go fly a pig unless he can pull a code section

I hate the doors and old UBC person that did not allow them.

Yes they swing in direction of travel but also you can have the push pull of people on each side.

Now I do not think they make a rated double swing, so not sure where you are trying to put this door?????

 

[Codegeek]

It's for a retail store that provides for employees to go back and forth between the sales floor and the back of house and the door leads directly through a hallway to an exit so the owner likes for the door to swing in both directions. Funny, this plan reviewer is an old UBC person!

 

[cda]

Just like elephants

Never forget the good old code days

 

[RLGA]

Double-acting doors are not prohibited. Where they would be prohibited are in locations where fire-rated doors are required, since latching is required. Additionally, a double-acting door would not have a stop to create the required seal in order to pass a fire test.

 

[LGreene]

Double-acting doors are not prohibited. Where they would be prohibited are in locations where fire-rated doors are required, since latching is required. Additionally, a double-acting door would not have a stop to create the required seal in order to pass a fire test.

What Ron said. Exactly right.

If the plans examiner sticks to his guns they could use a double egress pair instead as long as there is still enough clear width for egress, and half of the opening would be sufficient for whatever the staff is moving through. With a double egress pair, one leaf swings in each direction. It might address his concerns, but it would only provide half the egress width.