slide bolts on exit doors

[cheyer]

Would you allow a slide bolt on an exit door, if it was on a smaller door next to the main door that had it's 32" clear opening? I'm assuming the smaller wing door was their to allow larger furniture, etc. to fit through the opening.

 

[Coug Dad]

are you talking about a manual flush bolt? These are referenced in Section 1008.1.8.4. Generally not permitted except in sleeping rooms, dwelling units or storage and equipment rooms.

 

[Examiner]

Exit doors are sized to accommodate the required egress width. Assuming that you have a pair of doors at the main door but only one is required for the clear egress width of 32” then the second door is not needed for egress. However, if the smaller door is to be calculated into the total clear width needed at the main EXIT then the smaller door cannot be less than 32” in clear width and must function with the required hardware for an Exit Door. The slide bolt would not be allowed if it is part of the EXIT.

 

[Coug Dad]

Examiner, That is not what 2006 1008.1.8.4 states.

1008.1.8.4 Bolt locks.

Manually operated flush bolts or surface bolts are not permitted.

Exceptions:

1. On doors not required for egress in individual dwelling units or sleeping units.

2. Where a pair of doors serves a storage or equipment room, manually operated edge- or surface-mounted bolts are permitted on the inactive leaf.

The 2009 added more conditions where a manual flush bolt is allowed:

1008.1.9.4 Bolt locks. Manually operated flush bolts or surface bolts are not permitted.

Exceptions:

1. On doors not required for egress in individual dwelling units or sleeping units.

2. Where a pair of doors serves a storage or equipment room, manually operated edge- or surface-mounted bolts are permitted on the inactive leaf.

3. Where a pair of doors serves an occupant load of less than 50 persons in a Group B, F or S occupancy, manually operated edge- or surface-mounted bolts are permitted on the inactive leaf. The inactive leaf shall contain no doorknobs, panic bars or similar operating hardware.

4. Where a pair of doors serves a Group B, F or S occupancy, manually operated edge- or surface-mounted bolts are permitted on the inactive leaf provided such inactive leaf is not needed to meet egress width requirements and the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. The inactive leaf shall contain no doorknobs, panic bars or similar operating hardware.

5. Where a pair of doors serves patient care rooms in Group I-2 occupancies, self-latching edge- or surface-mounted bolts are permitted on the inactive leaf provided that the inactive leaf is not needed to meet egress width requirements and the inactive leaf contains no doorknobs, panic bars or similar operating hardware.

 

[mtlogcabin]

I'm assuming the smaller wing door was their to allow larger furniture, etc. to fit through the opening.

We run into these on occasions in B M & S occupancies, usually existing, been there since who knows when.

We look at 1008.1 Doors....Means of egress doors shall be readily distinguishable from the adjacent construction and finishes such that the doors are easily recognizable as doors. Mirrors or similar reflecting materials shall not be used on means of egress doors. Means of egress doors shall not be concealed by curtains, drapes, decorations or similar materials.

Some times it is easier and less costly to "hide" that door leaf similar to what coug dad pointed out in the 09 edition. No door hardware or handles. install a mirror. poster , painting or some other type of finish on it. It becomes a judgement call as for new construction follow code Section 1008.1.8.4

 

[cheyer]

CougDad,

That is correct...manual flush bolt at the bottom....

CD,examiner & MT, thanks for the info.

 

[LGreene]

CougDad: The 2009 added more conditions where a manual flush bolt is allowed:

When the clarification on manual flush bolts was added in the 2009 edition of the IBC, it solved a major problem relative to the function of hardware. If both leaves of a pair are required for egress width, the options are to use panic hardware on both, or automatic flush bolts and a coordinator on the inactive leaf. It's difficult to keep auto flush bolts and coordinators functioning well over time, but the editions prior to the 2009 limited the use of manual flush bolts to dwelling units and storage rooms. In practice, manual flush bolts are used A LOT - check almost any retail pair.

Examiner: However, if the smaller door is to be calculated into the total clear width needed at the main EXIT then the smaller door cannot be less than 32” in clear width and must function with the required hardware for an Exit Door.

Here's what the 2009 IBC says about the inactive leaf (1008.1.1): "Where this section requires a minimum clear width of 32 inches (813 mm) and a door opening includes two door leaves without a mullion, one leaf shall provide a clear opening width of 32 inches (813 mm)."

So the inactive leaf can be less than 32" clear but would have to be unlatched with one operation unless manual flush bolts are allowed by one of the exceptions. If the inactive leaf is required for egress it would have to have the auto flush bolts/coordinator or panic hardware, but it could still be less than 32" clear.

mtlogcabin: install a mirror. poster , painting or some other type of finish on it.

Per the 2009 manual flush bolt clarification, you could use the manual flush bolts without hiding the door - yes?