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No Longer an Exit

LGreene

LGreene

Registered User
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
1,153
Location
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
I really need some help with this issue, so please weigh in. The building in question is being renovated, and the egress routes have changed. Some doors that were exits before, are no longer required as exits. The building owner wants to leave the existing doors and hardware, but permanently fix them in the closed position. They won't open any more, but they will still look just like the door openings that were previously used for egress.

I know this should not be done - it's a hazard. But what do you point to in the codes to show that it is not allowed?
 
It is a fire/life/safety violation. We would not allow occupancy of the renovated buildings until the violations have been corrected. Either make the doors working exits, or remodel them so they do not appear as exits in any manner.
 
What makes the doors look like exits? If it is a sign or other markings, those must go. But if the concern is just a persons previous use and familiarity I am not so sure. After all, exit signs are for those that are not familiar with where the exits are. If a corridor has 10 office doors and 1 exit door could they not all look the same except for the exit sign and maybe the type of hardware? I acknowledge the requirement to not have an exit door disguised, but not sure I know of a code that would prohibit the condition you describe. Not in the fire code a lot so maybe there is something in there I am missing.
Code requires that a door provided for egress purposes, whether required or not, must meet the code. But these are not doors that are being provided for egress purposes anymore.
 
Take the exit signs off and it becomes just a door. It could go to the outside, it could go to an office, it could lead into another dimension. Doesn't matter, it's just a door. Lock it or fix it closed, redirect occupants to an approved, required exit, and no problems.
 
What others said

If not used for a door for anything, I think minimum, remove any door hardware.
 
Builder Bob said:
Fire Code Issue ----

Fire code states where a door is adjacent to or constructed similar to and can be confused, Approved signage that identifies room use or name shall be used to identify door.

IFC1031.5 Non-exit identification.
Click to expand...



Wait a minute wait a minute

Building under renovation

Sounds like a building inspector issue

Plus is the same language in IBC ??
 
Applicable section of the IBC which is not as clear as the intent of the section cited from the Fire Code.

1010.1 Doors. Means of egress doors shall meet the requirements of this section. Blah Blah Blah..... .
"Means of egress doors shall be readily distinguishable from the adjacent construction and finishes such that the doors are easily recognizable as doors." Blah, Blah, Blah...
 
The doors still look like doors, remove the signage.......go to go.

It might take a while for someone familiar with it to get used to it, but a typical visitor looks for exit signage.
 
unfortunately, the signage provisions that are mandated in the IFC for non-exit identification requirement is not directly reflected into the building code requirements unless you adopt appendix E for signage. Thus it is a fire code issue.... the code wording in the IBC is weak, as any door can be recognized as a door.......Duh. It should have stated ... such that the doors are easily recognizable as EGRESS or EXIT Doors.
 
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