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Requirements for Two-Way Door Swing?

12/21/2022

10 Comments

 
​In the corridors of an apartment building (wrap) there are fire doors that are double-egress pairs that are left-hand-reverse by left-hand reverse which follows the natural traffic pattern within the corridor.
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However, there are also several right-hand-reverse by right-hand-reverse in the same corridor.

Is there a requirement one way or another on which direction these are supposed to be?

​I informed the project manager that the egress needs to follow the natural traffic pattern. I was curious about the different flow patterns of the doors so I researched the code but was unable to locate anything in the code regarding whether it was code or not, except for the AHJ. The county where I live also agreed with me but if someone out there knows if this is code please respond.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
10 Comments
Corey Eppinghaus
12/21/2022 08:16:40 am

Just making comment to see what comes of this.

Reply
Glenn Berger
12/21/2022 08:25:37 am

Need a plan view to determine current requirements for door swings. Many of these older facilities have undergone several renovations, which have impacts on current egress requirements.

Reply
Todd E Wyatt
12/21/2022 08:34:26 am

SHORT ANSWER
The Codes do not designate which side of the Exit Access Corridor (EAC), left vs right, that Exit Access Doors (EAD) are required to swing in the direction of egress.
The AHJ can only interpret and/or enforce the adopted Codes. The AHJ cannot require design features that are not included in the Codes.

EXPLANATION
Door swing direction is determined by the Occupancy Classification (OC), by special “use”, and/or by the calculated Occupant Load (OL).

2021 IBC Ch 10 Means of Egress identifies the requirements for Exit Access Doors (EAD) including the cross-corridor, opposite swinging double doors in your question.

Per 2021 1010.1.2.1 Direction of Door Swing, the following OC require EAD to swing in the direction of egress travel :
1) Group H Hazardous

Per 2021 IBC, the following special “use” require EAD to swing in the direction of egress travel :
1) 1010.2.9.1 Refrigeration machinery doors >1000 SF.
2) 101.2.9.2. Rooms with electrical equipment … electrical equipment rated >800 amperes containing overcurrent/switching/control devices & EAD is <25 feet from the working space (see NFPA 70).

Per 2021 1010.1.2.1 Direction of Door Swing, the following OL requires EAD to swing in the direction of egress travel :
1) Room or Area of 50 or more occupants.

Based on this scenario presented (e.g. OC = Group R-2 Residential … Apartment), this cross-corridor, opposite swinging double doors are required because the calculated OL on BOTH sides of these doors are > 50 occupants.

Reply
Aviv
12/21/2022 10:54:56 am

How could a corridor be 50 occupants on each side of every one of those doors? is it really long? or must you account traversing through it from adjacent spaces?

Reply
Todd E Wyatt
12/22/2022 08:49:36 am

Yes, the calculated Occupant Load (OL) would include rooms, areas and spaces that access the (shared) Exit Access Corridors (EAC) that then lead to an Exit (e.g. Interior Exit Staiway). Any cross-corridor doors in an EAC that would be used by >50 occupants are required to swing in the direction of egresss.

When calculating the OL, all area of rooms/spaces within the interior face of the exterior walls are to be included and all are required to be assigned an Occupant Load Factor (OLF), even corridors.

Colin Triming
12/21/2022 10:33:57 am

I agree that the code doesn't answer this question as stated. Unless you happen to be from Australia (like me) you have been taught to keep right since you were knee high to a grasshopper. If the corridor is full of smoke and you come to the doors you might get confused and head back the way you came. It could also be confusing for firefighters. I think these doors should be turned around.

Reply
martin m
12/21/2022 09:41:29 pm

To the right in the states too growing up

Reply
Alex
12/27/2022 06:39:43 am

I agree with Colin. I am not aware of a code section that states cross doors have to swing in a certain direction per side but it is common to always keep right. I would recommend switching the entire assembly so the door on the right is opposite.

Thanks

mike bauer
12/21/2022 11:06:45 am

We have alot of these in our jurisdiction in apartment buildings with enclosed corridors. They are separating the building into different fire areas under section 707 (Fire Barriers) with a 2 hour rating for residential construction. Under normal conditions they are held open by magnetic devices connected to the fire alarm system. The only thing we would look at if the direction of travel were in question is the travel distance to an exit. If the doors were placed in one part of the building where the path was required to be through them, then they would have to open in the path of egress travel. We have not had this issue as on both sides of the Fire Barrier door, there have been two exits available within the required travel distance.
I will say in my opinion a more important concern and problem has been the contractor installing the correct rated gasket molding on the door and frame to meet the listing. The fact that the picture shows what appears to be a slide bolt at the top and you can see between the doors is concerning.

Reply
DS
12/21/2022 01:04:21 pm

This is usually a designer using the fire compartment allowance in the IBC to increase the floor size or square footage of the building. It basically is providing exit access in both directions and has an active door leaf in one direction from each side. This could also be because of an assembly occupancy with an occupant load greater than 49, but is not typically the case in the R-2 occupancies.

Reply



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