Are double doors acceptable as Egress doors if both are less than 36 inches wide?

[sstanczyk (Stephen Stanczyk, WA License #221)]

@mcyr

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:

1. 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.

Debate on…