Fire Exit Door Regulations

Building regulations for fire safety in residential homes including new and existing dwellings flats residential accommodation schools colleges and offices.

Fire exit door regulations.

In the majority of premises local fire and rescue authorities are responsible for enforcing this fire safety legislation. In workplaces that are buildings the location of doors needs to be appropriately marked and signs need to be posted to show the direction to exit doors to aid emergency evacuation. In scotland requirements on general fire safety are covered in part 3 of the fire scotland act 2005 supported by the fire safety scotland regulations 2006. All fire doors have an additional safety feature they must be self closing and self latching.

Post signs along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge if that direction is not immediately apparent. There is an approved document guidance available from the builders hardware industry federation bhif hardware for fire and escape doors. A steel fire resistant door frame is also used. Not only could failure to comply result in massive fines in the event of a fire or other emergency non compliance could cost the lives of employees visitors.

An opening into an exit must be protected by a self closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency upon the sounding of a fire alarm or employee alarm system. Dependant on its location it need not necessarily be fire rated or steel framed. A path of travel door is a door in the egress pathway leading to or between a fire door or exit door. An exit door is a door that allows an emergency exit from a building.

This is accomplished through the use of a closer or spring hinge and a fire rated lockset or exit device. Issue 4 2012 detailing the requirements for any fixtures and fittings used with fire doors and fire. This means that in the event of a fire all of these doors will close and latch without a person s help. Path of travel door.

Osha requirements regulations and guidance for emergency exits if there is one set of osha rules that your business had better comply with it is exit requirements. If there is a fire in the area where occupants are they are already being exposed to smoke fire and heat. Also the line of sight to an exit sign must be clearly visible at all times. Keep exit route doors free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of exit route doors.

This access to exit requirements seeks to minimize occupants exposure to these and other hazards. An exit is permitted to have only those openings necessary to allow access to the exit from occupied areas of the workplace or to the exit discharge.