Rear exit door on retail space

[Greg Keene, CPI]

Can anyone give me a code section about a rear commercial door requirements.
This looks like a res. door (poorly installed is the least of it). Just needing backup for a problem call out. thanks.

[James H. Bushart]

2006 (and later) IBC Chapter 10, Means of Egress (assuming that this code is in effect in the jurisdiction where you are inspecting). There are hundreds of variables and considerations.

[Michael R. Boyett]

A lot depends upon the Group classification of the property but the 1st thing I see is the doors appear to swing inward. IBC 1008.1.2 says doors must swing in the direction of egress travel. IBC 1714.5.2 says the doors must meet ASTM E 330 as well. Are those labeled as such? Check with the AHJ to make sure the IBC is adopted there.

[Greg Keene, CPI]

Thanks guys - you are right, it is a residential door, it opens in, was installed fu**d up - with a 2by4 as a locking crossbar, so sign and no exit sign over it. As you can guess, the store owner installed it and he was a builder. Imagine that!

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

You can't have a bolt latch at the top either. Only one hand movement is allowed to unlatch a door.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

You can't have a bolt latch at the top either. Only one hand movement is allowed to unlatch a door.

My understanding is that is required "During business hours" only, thus the signs you see above doors... "Must be unlocked during business hours". A business is allowed to secure their doors as they see fit when not occupied. So, if it has the latch, it must have the sign/notice posted.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

You can't have a bolt latch at the top either.

Yes you can. See 2006 IBC 1008.1.8.4. Where a pair of doors serves a storage or equipment room, manually operated edge or surface mounted bolts are permitted on the inactive leaf.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Yes you can. See 2006 IBC 1008.1.8.4. Where a pair of doors serves a storage or equipment room, manually operated edge or surface mounted bolts are permitted on the inactive leaf.

I took the OP to mean this was a rear egress door.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

I took the OP to mean this was a rear egress door.

As long as it is exiting a storage or equipment room to the outside (which it appears to be) the lock is fine the way it is.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

1008.1.9 Door operations. Except as specifically permitted by
this section egress doors shall be readily openable from the
egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or
effort.

1008.1.9.1 Hardware. Door handles, pulls, latches, locks and
other operating devices on doors required to be accessible by
Chapter 11 shall not require tight grasping, tight pinching or
twisting of the wrist to operate.

1008.1.9.3 Locks and latches. Locks and latches shall be permitted
to prevent operation of doors where any of the following exists:

1. Places of detention or restraint.

2. In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant
load of 300 or less, Groups B, F, Mand S, and in places
of religious worship, the main exterior door or doors are
permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking
devices from the egress side provided:

2.1. The locking device is readily distinguishable as
locked;

2.2. A readily visible durable sign is posted on the
egress side on or adjacent to the door stating:
THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED
WHEN BUILDING IS OCCUPIED. The sign
shall be in letters 1 inch (25 mm) high on a contrasting
background; and

2.3. The use of the key-operated locking device is
revokable by the building official for due cause.

3. Where egress doors are used in pairs, approved automatic
flush bolts shall be permitted to be used, provided
that the door leaf having the automatic flush bolts has no
doorknob or surface-mounted hardware.

4. Doors from individual dwelling or sleeping units of
Group R occupancies having an occupant load of 10 or
less are permitted to be equipped with a night latch, dead
bolt or security chain, provided such devices are
openable from the inside without the use of a key or tool.

5. Fire doors after the minimum elevated temperature has
disabled the unlatching mechanism in accordance with
listed fire door test procedures.

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, man-
ually 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.

[James H. Bushart]

I know. That is the provision I was reading from.

This door lock appears to be okay as it is (see Exception 2 which you did not highlight).

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by jbushart

I know. That is the provision I was reading from.

This door lock appears to be okay as it is (see Exception 2 which you did not highlight).

I guess Greg needs to clarify. I don't see where you get the idea that the door is to a storage or equipment room. The title of the post is "Rear exist door on retail space". You are absolutely correct if it's a storage or equipment room, but I took Greg to mean it's the rear "exit" door.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

I guess Greg needs to clarify. I don't see where you get the idea that the door is to a storage or equipment room. The title of the post is "Rear exist door on retail space". You are absolutely correct if it's a storage or equipment room, but I took Greg to mean it's the rear "exit" door.

Greg, you should keep in mind that all business do not necessarily require 2 means of egress. Just because there is a rear door, does not mean it is a required egress door. If it were, there would be other requirements that would kick in like an exist sign and emergency lighting.

That's what I said in Post #2 ... and why I corrected your blanket statement regarding manual bolt latches.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by mboyett

A lot depends upon the Group classification of the property but the 1st thing I see is the doors appear to swing inward. IBC 1008.1.2 says doors must swing in the direction of egress travel. IBC 1714.5.2 says the doors must meet ASTM E 330 as well. Are those labeled as such? Check with the AHJ to make sure the IBC is adopted there.

"1008.1.2 Door swing
Doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel where
serving an occupant load of 50 or more persons or a Group H [medical facility] occupancy."

Keep in mind that the IBC applies to new construction. Unless there is a change of occupancy type, there is no requirement to bring a building up to today's standards.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by jbushart

That's what I said in Post #2 ... and why I corrected your blanket statement regarding manual bolt latches.

Got it.