Do Condo Unit Doors Need Self-Closing Hinges?

12/22/2025

I have a 10-story condo building with 70 units. Each floor has 7 units, and the unit doors open to an open-atmosphere walkway with two exit stairwells at each end.

Do each unit door that swings into the unit need self-closing hinges?

Thanks in advance for your help or guidance with this.

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7 Comments

Pete H

12/22/2025 06:12:53 am

Is the open-atmosphere walkway covered with partial openings, or is it just exterior?

Joel link

12/22/2025 08:12:55 am

Hi Pete, Thanks in advance for your help. The buildings walkways overhang each other and have a knee wall and railing for fall protection.
https://tinyurl.com/9j945kj8

Pete H

12/22/2025 09:05:21 am

With the overhang connecting it, I'm inclined to agree with D. Peoples based on townhouses with shared interior walkways are required to have self-closing doors between them and the shared spaces (as well as any interior garages). Yeah, self-closing likely required.

I admit though I'm only checking that in my local state code and not the international version.

D.Peoples

12/22/2025 08:10:42 am

Yes, according to the International Fire Code (IFC), apartment buildings are required to have self-closing doors during a fire. This requirement is part of the fire safety measures to prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke within the building. Self-closing doors ensure that the doors automatically return to a closed position after being opened, which is crucial during a fire emergency.

Nimal Tissa Wijetunga

12/24/2025 06:33:10 pm

Yes. Self closing mechanism required in each apartment unit.

Todd E Wyatt

12/22/2025 08:15:42 am

Yes, “walls separating dwelling units … shall be constructed as FIRE PARTITIONS“ so the doors into the dwelling units from the open-atmosphere walkway shall be Fire Doors which require self-closing hardware.

REFERENCES
IBC-2024

Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
Section 420 Groups I-1, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4
420.2 Separation Walls
Walls separating dwelling units in the same building, walls separating sleeping units in the same building, walls separating dwelling units from sleeping units in the same building and walls separating dwelling or sleeping units from other occupancies contiguous to them in the same building shall be constructed as FIRE PARTITIONS in accordance with Section 708.

Chapter 10 Means of Egress
Section 1020 Corridors
1020.2 Construction
Corridors shall be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Table 1020.2. The corridor walls required to be fire-resistance rated shall comply with Section 708 for fire partitions.
TABLE 1020.2 CORRIDOR FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING
OCCUPANCY = R
OCCUPANT LOAD SERVED BY CORRIDOR =
REQUIRED FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours) = Greater than 10
Without automatic sprinkler system = Not Permitted
With automatic sprinkler system = 0.5 c / 1 d
C : Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 where allowed.
D : Group R-3 and R-4 buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3. See Section 903.2.8 for occupancies where automatic sprinkler systems are permitted in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3.

Jack G

12/22/2025 03:56:14 pm

Doors, frames and hardware are required for an egress corridor, and must be self closing and positive latching, (with exception for Healthcare and patient rooms)
All components ( door, frame, hardware) must be listed and tested as an assembly per NFPA 80 & 75 252 and IBC code for smoke containment. Check the projects code sheet fot their listing.
General rule is the door, frame, hardware must be listed for at least 75 % of the walls rating but often need to match.
For instance a 1 hour rated wall and a 20 or 45 minute rated door and frame is typically required.

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Do Condo Unit Doors Need Self-Closing Hinges?

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