LGreene
REGISTERED
I'm trying to answer a question that is not definitively addressed in the IBC/IFC...
When looking at the projection of panic hardware into the clear opening width of a door, does the 4-inch-limit apply to how far the panic hardware projects off the door, or does it apply to the projection of the panic hardware into the REQUIRED clear opening width (which is usually 32").
It makes a difference, because some panic hardware projects more than 4 inches off the door, but on a 3-foot-wide door it would not project more than 4 inches into the required clear opening width.
The IBC says this ("required clear width" is used in the first sentence, but "required" is not included in the second sentence):
1010.1.1.1 Projections into clear width. There shall not be projections into the required clear width lower than 34 inches (864 mm) above the floor or ground. Projections into the clear opening width between 34 inches (864 mm) and 80 inches (2032 mm) above the floor or ground shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm).
Exception: Door closers and door stops shall be permitted to be 78 inches (1980 mm) minimum above the floor.
The IBC Commentary has conflicting information (the IFC Commentary too). The Commentary says this:
Section 1010.1.1.1 allows the panic hardware to extend the full width of the door as long as it does not protrude more than 4 inches (102 mm) into the door’s required minimum clear width.
But there's also the attached drawing in the Commentary which shows the measurement of the panic hardware off the door. What say you? Is the limit 4" off the door or 4" into the REQUIRED clear opening width? And why?
When looking at the projection of panic hardware into the clear opening width of a door, does the 4-inch-limit apply to how far the panic hardware projects off the door, or does it apply to the projection of the panic hardware into the REQUIRED clear opening width (which is usually 32").
It makes a difference, because some panic hardware projects more than 4 inches off the door, but on a 3-foot-wide door it would not project more than 4 inches into the required clear opening width.
The IBC says this ("required clear width" is used in the first sentence, but "required" is not included in the second sentence):
1010.1.1.1 Projections into clear width. There shall not be projections into the required clear width lower than 34 inches (864 mm) above the floor or ground. Projections into the clear opening width between 34 inches (864 mm) and 80 inches (2032 mm) above the floor or ground shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm).
Exception: Door closers and door stops shall be permitted to be 78 inches (1980 mm) minimum above the floor.
The IBC Commentary has conflicting information (the IFC Commentary too). The Commentary says this:
Section 1010.1.1.1 allows the panic hardware to extend the full width of the door as long as it does not protrude more than 4 inches (102 mm) into the door’s required minimum clear width.
But there's also the attached drawing in the Commentary which shows the measurement of the panic hardware off the door. What say you? Is the limit 4" off the door or 4" into the REQUIRED clear opening width? And why?
