Panic hardware where it's not required by code.

[LGreene]

I have 2 questions (as usual).

1) If a door has panic hardware, but the panic hardware is not required by code (ie. not an Assembly, Educational, or High Hazard occupancy with a certain occupant load), does the panic hardware have to meet the requirements that would otherwise be applied to panic hardware? Specifically, when panic hardware is required by code, the actuating portion has to be at least half the width of the door. If someone installs panic hardware on a storage room because they have an extra panic device laying around, could the actuating portion be less than half the width of the door? The question came up in relation to today's post on my blog (photos here): I Dig Hardware / I Hate Hardware » WW: Panic Hardware Protection

I guess there are 2 possibilities there...a) someone has a 3' device (18" touchpad) laying around and installs it on a 4'-wide storage room door, or b) the panic is modified like in the photos. Would you allow one but not the other? Or neither/both?

2) Is it a problem for a door to have panic hardware if it doesn't lead to an exit? For example, imagine a procedure room in a hospital, with the doors swinging into the room. The means of egress out of the procedure room would be through the doors in question, by pulling the door toward you (occupant load of less than 50). But because of the operational requirements of the doors/hardware (latching for fire, electric latch retraction for automatic operators), there are non-locking levers on the room side, and fire exit hardware on the corridor side. There's free egress from the room via the levers, but is it a problem to have panic hardware on the corridor side, when the doors lead to an enclosed room? If you would allow the panics, would you also require signage stating "Not an Exit"?

 

[RLGA]

The IBC states: "Where panic or fire exit is installed, it shall comply with the following:"

Notice that it states "is installed" and not "is required." Therefore, all installations, required or not, must comply with the requirements of the code.

 

[cda]

The IBC states: "Where panic or fire exit is installed, it shall comply with the following:"Notice that it states "is installed" and not "is required." Therefore, all installations, required or not, must comply with the requirements of the code.

So if installed per code any problem with having it on a door that does not lead to an exit??

 

[RLGA]

I don't see a problem. Only doors marked as exits are exits. However, if Exception 1 of Section 1011.1 (2012 IBC) applies (this exception does not require exit signs in spaces that only require one exit or exit access), then it might be advisable--not required--to indicate the exit or mark the other door with the panic hardware as "Not an Exit."

Panic hardware may be installed for convenience of the occupants, such as being able to open a door while carrying bulky items.

 

[steveray]

Great answers Ron! Thank You!

 

[LGreene]

Great answers Ron! Thank You!

I agree! Thanks Ron!

 

[cda]

so back to your picture if at least one half of the door has a meands to actuate the panic hardware, can they cover the remainder? As in the picture?

 

[LGreene]

Well, there's too much covered in the photo - if it's a 3' door it needs an 18" touchpad. Many brands of panic hardware have an 18" touchpad, so you wouldn't be able to cover any of it. If there's more than 18" of touchpad...could you cover some of it? I'd love to hear opinions!