Do Fire Doors Have to Open Outwards?

Fire doorways are designed to assist in safe evacuation and emergency response. However, the direction in which they should open, either inwards or outwards, can vary based on specific regulations and building types. Understanding these guidelines is crucial for ensuring the safety of occupants and firefighters.

General Guidelines for Fire Doors

Fire doors are required to open in the direction of travel, typically towards the nearest exit. This generally means outward, but the direction can vary depending on the location and context of the building. The primary reason for outward opening doors is to prevent the 'pile of dead bodies stacked against the doors' problem, ensuring that everyone has a chance to evacuate safely.

Public Building Requirements

In public buildings, which include any commercial property with public access (regardless of ownership), fire doors must open outward. This is a legal requirement to ensure that people can exit safely and firefighters can enter and assist quickly. Ensuring that all fire exit doors open outward significantly reduces the risk of people being trapped or crushed against the doors during an emergency.

Types of Fire Doors

Fire doors come in various types:

Rolling Steel Curtain: Drops from the ceiling to form a barrier in the event of a fire. Swinging Doors: Can be a pair of right-hand doors that meet in the middle or a pair of doors that swing the same direction. They can be designed to swing in either direction, as long as they open outwards in the event of a fire. Sliding Doors: While less common, some fire doors are designed to slide horizontally, ensuring that they remain clear for evacuation.

The choice of door type depends on the specific requirements of the building and the local building codes.

Historical Context and Regulations

The requirement for outward opening fire doors in public buildings stems from historical events, such as the 1903 Iroquois Theater fire. This tragic incident resulted in over 600 deaths due to people being trapped against inward opening doors. The fire is often cited as a key driver for setting the standard that all non-singleroom residential building entrance/exit doors must open outward.

Following this event, building codes were revised to mandate that all non-singleroom residential and public building doors open outward. This made a significant impact on fire safety by ensuring that people could evacuate safely and that firefighters could gain access to buildings quickly.

It is widely recognized that fire doors should open outward, and any inward-opening doors can potentially cause severe safety issues. For instance, during a fire, if an inward-opening door is subjected to significant pressure from the crowd, it may not open, resulting in a serious safety hazard for the people inside.

Conclusion

In summary, the direction in which fire doors open is a critical consideration for fire safety. Outward opening doors are required in public buildings and most residential buildings to ensure safe evacuation and assist firefighters in their duties. Understanding and adhering to these guidelines is essential for protecting lives and ensuring the smooth operation of emergency response efforts.