Fire Code Information
From Minnesota Fire Marshal:
Thank you for your letter and your concern for school safety. As discussed in previous emails, the majority of school buildings in Minnesota either have complete fire sprinkler protection or automatic smoke detection installed throughout the exit corridors. In either case, such corridors are not required to be fire-rated.
In fully sprinklered school buildings, anti-latching devices may be used on all classroom doors. In buildings without fire sprinkler protection, but having smoke detection throughout the corridors, anti-latching devices can be used on all classroom doors with the exception of hazardous rooms such as science chemistry labs and vocational shops. A simple door-hardware upgrade for the hazardous area classroom doors would solve this problem.
In fully sprinklered school buildings, anti-latching devices may be used on all classroom doors. In buildings without fire sprinkler protection, but having smoke detection throughout the corridors, anti-latching devices can be used on all classroom doors with the exception of hazardous rooms such as science chemistry labs and vocational shops. A simple door-hardware upgrade for the hazardous area classroom doors would solve this problem. The end result is that anti-latching devices may be utilized on most school classroom doors. And even for those corridors that are required to be fire-rated, many schools have door hardware that allow locking from the inside without the use of a key. For those that do not, the problem can be solved with hardware replacement. There are many code-compliant egress door hardware sets that allow locking from the inside via thumb-turn or push-button activation that do not interfere with egress.
In those corridors that require self-closing and latching fire-rated door assemblies, the latching of the door is necessary in order to prevent the spread of smoke and fire into the exiting corridors so that occupants have an opportunity to safely evacuate the building. Pressure differentials created by fire conditions can easily cause a non-latched fire-door to open. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
NOTE: Always check with your local fire code official before installing any devices
Sincerely,
Forrest Williams
Supervisor
School Inspections
Minn. State Fire Marshal Division
Office & Fax: 218-724-5771
Cell: 651-769-7784
Email: [email protected]
Code Questions: [email protected]
Thank you for your letter and your concern for school safety. As discussed in previous emails, the majority of school buildings in Minnesota either have complete fire sprinkler protection or automatic smoke detection installed throughout the exit corridors. In either case, such corridors are not required to be fire-rated.
In fully sprinklered school buildings, anti-latching devices may be used on all classroom doors. In buildings without fire sprinkler protection, but having smoke detection throughout the corridors, anti-latching devices can be used on all classroom doors with the exception of hazardous rooms such as science chemistry labs and vocational shops. A simple door-hardware upgrade for the hazardous area classroom doors would solve this problem.
In fully sprinklered school buildings, anti-latching devices may be used on all classroom doors. In buildings without fire sprinkler protection, but having smoke detection throughout the corridors, anti-latching devices can be used on all classroom doors with the exception of hazardous rooms such as science chemistry labs and vocational shops. A simple door-hardware upgrade for the hazardous area classroom doors would solve this problem. The end result is that anti-latching devices may be utilized on most school classroom doors. And even for those corridors that are required to be fire-rated, many schools have door hardware that allow locking from the inside without the use of a key. For those that do not, the problem can be solved with hardware replacement. There are many code-compliant egress door hardware sets that allow locking from the inside via thumb-turn or push-button activation that do not interfere with egress.
In those corridors that require self-closing and latching fire-rated door assemblies, the latching of the door is necessary in order to prevent the spread of smoke and fire into the exiting corridors so that occupants have an opportunity to safely evacuate the building. Pressure differentials created by fire conditions can easily cause a non-latched fire-door to open. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
NOTE: Always check with your local fire code official before installing any devices
Sincerely,
Forrest Williams
Supervisor
School Inspections
Minn. State Fire Marshal Division
Office & Fax: 218-724-5771
Cell: 651-769-7784
Email: [email protected]
Code Questions: [email protected]