During an inspection I found the main entrance door was 31 inches wide. And the door next to it was 32 inches wide. As a double door, one was set as closed and the other the one in use normally. Per the definition of an Egress door, it is supposed to be 36 inches wide. But what about this case with the double side by side door? Is this acceptable? It may or may not be considered special knowledge to open the 2nd door. It will take more time so in an emergency may not be acceptable.
Thank you! That makes sense by definition. Say there is no mullion and the 2 doors open wide up after the 2nd door is opened by undoing the floor lock and top locks. Any specs on this for proper egress door if both doors less then 36 inches? I am thinking not and the main door needs to be 36" to meet the spec.
FL is not different than the IRC. The clear opening for residential is 32". This can be achieved with a 2’ 10" door with protruding door stops, but most are 3’ 0". The training material is wrong if it says min 36".
Thanks very much. This clarifies my question. And if anyone else is interested in this thread, here is the IRC code about it:
Section R311.3 of the 2012 IRC: the width of the clear opening provided by the required egress door is to be at least 32 inches when measured from the face of the door to the door stop.
The height of the clear opening provided is to be a minimum of 78 inches (6’6”) when measured from the door stop to the top of the threshold.
Once again. It is the door OPENING that requires the width, NOT the physical door panel itself. With a double door as you describe, the opening is 63+ inches.
Not less than one egress door shall be provided for each dwelling unit. The egress door shall be side-hinged, and shall provide a clear width of not less than 32 inches (813 mm) where measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees (1.57 rad). The clear height of the door opening shall be not less than 78 inches (1981 mm) in height measured from the top of the threshold to the bottom of the stop. Other doors shall not be required to comply with these minimum dimensions. Egress doors shall be readily openable from inside the dwelling without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.
Exception: Buildings that are 400 square feet or less and that are intended for use in conjunction with one-and two-family residences are not subject to the door height and width requirements of this code.
Not less than one egress door shall be provided for each dwelling unit. The egress door shall be side-hinged, and shall provide a clear width of not less than 32 inches (813 mm) where measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees (1.57 rad). The clear height of the door opening shall be not less than 78 inches (1981 mm) in height measured from the top of the threshold to the bottom of the stop. Other doors shall not be required to comply with these minimum dimensions. Egress doors shall be readily openable from inside the dwelling without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.
Exception: Buildings that are 400 square feet or less and that are intended for use in conjunction with one-and two-family residences are not subject to the door height and width requirements of this code.
You are correct Dave. A 32" door only gives you a 29" clearance from the door stop to the face of the door in a 90-degree position.
That is why a home needs to have at least one 36" door on a home for egress to meet the requirement above. Whether it is the side door, front door, or back door. It can not open to the garage for egress.
Just remember. The home the OP described does not have a single width door opening. He has a double door opening. Both are operable with no special tools or knowledge needed. A lock is a lock is a lock. The latches on the “fixed” side are no different than a deadbolt or or locking door knob.
Hi Guys, This is John the “OP” or " original person asking the question.
Thanks so much for your input! and deliberation on this.
The double door was 31" door face to frame or door stop where it closed into the other door. And yes, it had the Flush bolts holding the door in place which the egress door closed into.
Now, the way I see it, undoing the flush bolts is “special effort” per the code. (and in an emergency, the flush bolts can be confusing) Thus, this door set up is non compliant. It is only 31" without opening the 2nd door and it takes special effort to un do the flush bolts to have at least 32 inches of space to egress. The potential 32" of space by opening the 2nd door is not “readily openable.”
Hate to disagree with you John but if you were to call this out, you would look foolish. Side latches do not take any special effort or knowledge. They are normal door locks for this type of door. They are no different than a door knob or dead bolt on the normally operable door. It is a normal DOUBLE door and the door opening meets the requirements. If it were a single door, you would have cause to call it out. Now of course the questions will come. What about a small child? Well a small child would fit through the regular door and not have a need for the 2nd door to be opened. What about a wheelchair? Normal wheelchair width is 26 inches, it clears. An extra wide wheelchair won’t fit, but a person in an extra wide wheelchair would have to use those locks every time they enter or leave. They would already know.
If you are using “code” to make your call, then I would highly suggest you contact your AHJ and get their code interpretation for a double door installation.
I suppose we can always agree to disagree, but I do believe the code is pretty cut and dry without the need for an AHJ’s interpretation.
But that is up to the OP to decide.
From the 2015 IBC
1010.1.9.4 Bolt Locks
**Manually operated flush bolts or surface bolts are not permitted.
**
Exceptions:
On doors not required for egress in individual dwelling units or sleeping units.
1010.1.9.5** Unlatching**
The unlatching of any door or leaf shall not require more than one operation.
In order to achieve the intent of the Code for using a pair of doors for egress where one leaf does not meet the required clear opening width, the inactive leaf would have to be equipped with automatic flush bolts or activated with one motion of the hand.
Stop trying to confuse things and make your point by using multi-family or commercial codes for this application. How many homes have turnstiles, require signage, revolving doors, power operated doors, or other items noted? And what about the wording in 1010.1.9.1 that says the hardware “SHALL NOT REQUIRE tight grasping, tight pinching,** OR TWISTING OF THE WRIST TO OPERATE”. **
The vast majority of residential door hardware requires twisting of the wrist to open the door. Are 99.5% of homes in the US using illegal locksets? Probably none of them are because there aren’t any states that use the IBC for single family RESIDENTIAL applications.
This is a non-issue. The “door” size is for single door installation, not double door installation that more than meet the door opening requirements.
