Fire Exit Hardware on Non-Fire-Rated Doors

[LGreene]

Because of the increased enforcement of annual inspections of fire door assemblies, I'm getting a lot of questions about fire doors. I'm attempting to answer them on my site as they come, but I'd love some input from y'all.

Today's question was whether it is ok to install fire exit hardware (panic hardware for fire doors) on doors that are not fire-rated. There's more background info here: http://idighardware.com/2017/04/qq-can-fire-exit-hardware-be-installed-on-a-non-fire-rated-door/.

If you are an AHJ, do you have any objections to the installation of fire exit hardware where it's not required?

 

[mark handler]

Hi Lori
I, as a AHJ have no objections to a fire rated door in a non-rated wall.
There is nothing that prohibits it.
A nonrated wall can have any door that meets minimum standards. If you want to exceed those standards, bully, bully for you.

 

[fatboy]

I'm spot on with Mark..........

 

[LGreene]

Hi Lori
I, as a AHJ have no objections to a fire rated door in a non-rated wall.
There is nothing that prohibits it.
A nonrated wall can have any door that meets minimum standards. If you want to exceed those standards, bully, bully for you.

So no objections to fire exit hardware on a non-rated door?

 

[cda]

I would say all provisions of panic hardware still apply

As in no other locking device, even though the panic hardware is not required

Yes needs to be maintained

 

[my250r11]

Agree, Above and beyond is always appreciated!! Most of the time it's a battle to get them to comply with the minimum.

 

[mark handler]

So no objections to fire exit hardware on a non-rated door?

No objections