Existing Exterior Door in Office

[Kendra]

I am working on an office renovation and recently discovered a door that was covered up. I believe the CEO would enjoy having this door from his office, but it is not required for egress. It is only 32" wide though and want to make sure this is wide enough? The occupant load is 15 and it is business group B.

 

[cda]

3



Remember, doors in a path of egress and doors on an accessible route are typically required to have a clear opening width of at least 32 inches.

Decoded: Calculating the Egress Width of Door Openings - I Dig Hardware - Answers to your door, hardware, and code questions from Allegion's Lori Greene.

I Dig Hardware - Answers to your door, hardware, and code questions from Allegion's Lori Greene. | Decoded: Calculating the Egress Width of Door Openings | | A common question when replacing doors and hardware during a renovation is whether one leaf of a pair can be “fixed” in place, or whether...

idighardware.com

 

[RLGA]

Is the clear width 32 inches or is the door itself 32 inches? If the latter, then you could possibly replace the standard hinges with swing clear hinges to get the 32-inch clear width (but you also have to take into consideration the stops, if any).

 

[Kendra]

3



Remember, doors in a path of egress and doors on an accessible route are typically required to have a clear opening width of at least 32 inches.

Decoded: Calculating the Egress Width of Door Openings - I Dig Hardware - Answers to your door, hardware, and code questions from Allegion's Lori Greene.

I Dig Hardware - Answers to your door, hardware, and code questions from Allegion's Lori Greene. | Decoded: Calculating the Egress Width of Door Openings | | A common question when replacing doors and hardware during a renovation is whether one leaf of a pair can be “fixed” in place, or whether...

idighardware.com

Yes, but this is not technically required for egress. Does that matter?

 

[Kendra]

Is the clear width 32 inches or is the door itself 32 inches? If the latter, then you could possibly replace the standard hinges with swing clear hinges to get the 32-inch clear width (but you also have to take into consideration the stops, if any).

The door itself is 32 inches

 

[RLGA]

Yes, but this is not technically required for egress. Does that matter?

Yes.

Section 1010.1 states doors "provided for egress purposes in numbers greater than required by this code shall meet the requirements of this section." You are providing the door so that the CEO can use it is providing it for an "egress purpose" (note that it does not state means of egress).

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Sounds like this door is not provided for egress purpose but just for convenience.

 

[ADAguy]

Is it the door or the opening with the door at 90 degrees that is 32"?

 

[RLGA]

Sounds like this door is not provided for egress purpose but just for convenience.

From the Commentary:

The general requirements for doors are in this section and the following subsections. The reference to Section 1022.2 is intended to emphasize that exterior exit doors must lead to a route that will allow a path to a public street or alley (see definition for “Public way”). A door that is intended to be used for egress purposes, even though that door may not be required by the code, is also required to meet the requirements of this section. An example may be an assembly occupancy where four doors would be required to meet the required capacity of the occupant load. But assume the designer elects to provide six doors for aesthetic reasons or occupant convenience. All six doors must comply with the requirements of this section.​

If the door can be used for egress then it is an egress door, but it may not be a required egress door.

 

[steveray]

Call it a side hinged window.......

 

[my250r11]

The rolling barn door is coming back in style.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

If the door can be used for egress then it is an egress door, but it may not be a required egress door.

How do we know this if this door can be used for egress? The egress path from this door might go through an adjoining or intervening room that is not accessory to this office or may not comply with the all the other things in Chapter 10 to be part of the egress path. Does it mean they cannot have this door at all if the access from it does not meet Chapter 10? Think closet door.

Apparently it cannot be used for egress because the opening is not at least 32" and it is not needed because they already have the one required exit door from this room.

 

[Paul Sweet]

If you're under the IEBC, section 305 appears to allow it to remain. IEBC 305.6 exception 2 says "Accessible means of egress required by chapter 10 of the IBC are not required to be provided in existing facilities."

ADASAD 206.4 allows existing inaccessible entrances to remain as long as there is an accessible entrance (other than a service entrance).

 

[Kendra]

Is the clear width 32 inches or is the door itself 32 inches? If the latter, then you could possibly replace the standard hinges with swing clear hinges to get the 32-inch clear width (but you also have to take into consideration the stops, if any).

The door itself is 32 inches

 

[Kendra]

Sounds like this door is not provided for egress purpose but just for convenience.

Correct. It is just for convenience

 

[Kendra]

Is it the door or the opening with the door at 90 degrees that is 32"?

The door is 32"

 

[Kendra]

How do we know this if this door can be used for egress? The egress path from this door might go through an adjoining or intervening room that is not accessory to this office or may not comply with the all the other things in Chapter 10 to be part of the egress path. Does it mean they cannot have this door at all if the access from it does not meet Chapter 10? Think closet door.

Apparently it cannot be used for egress because the opening is not at least 32" and it is not needed because they already have the one required exit door from this room.

The door goes the a rear courtyard that is blocked all the way around.

 

[Kendra]

If you're under the IEBC, section 305 appears to allow it to remain. IEBC 305.6 exception 2 says "Accessible means of egress required by chapter 10 of the IBC are not required to be provided in existing facilities."

ADASAD 206.4 allows existing inaccessible entrances to remain as long as there is an accessible entrance (other than a service entrance).

Thank you! This makes sense

 

[ADAguy]

Note, you intially indicated that this door was covered up, as such it is not existing. To reopen (no matter what the intended use) it must then comply with current code, as in clear opening with the door at 90 degrees must be 32"min. best to use a 36" door.