Fire Exit Door Regulations

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.

Fire exit door regulations.

This means that in the event of a fire all of these doors will close and latch without a person s help. In the majority of premises local fire and rescue authorities are responsible for enforcing this fire safety legislation. Path of travel door. A path of travel door is a door in the egress pathway leading to or between a fire door or exit door.

Issue 4 2012 detailing the requirements for any fixtures and fittings used with fire doors and fire. Employers need to ensure that emergency exits in buildings comply with the requirements in the building code of australia part d1 provision for escape. Fire exit doors are the final door on an emergency exit route that must lead to a place of safety. 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.

The nfpa emergency exit door requirements code states there is a maximum travel distance allowed to find an exit. 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. Also the line of sight to an exit sign must be clearly visible at all times. This is accomplished through the use of a closer or spring hinge and a fire rated lockset or exit device.

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. Dependant on its location it need not necessarily be fire rated or steel framed.

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. An exit door is a door that allows an emergency exit from a building. Building regulations for fire safety in residential homes including new and existing dwellings flats residential accommodation schools colleges and offices. 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.

A steel fire resistant door frame is also used. This access to exit requirements seeks to minimize occupants exposure to these and other hazards.