Panic Hardware & Fire Exit Hardware

We all use it, but how does the Life Safety Code(R) define it? PANIC HARDWARE is defined by NFPA 101(R), Life Safety Code(R) as "A door-latching assembly incorporating an actuating member or bar that releases the latch bolt upon the application of a force in the direction of egress travel." We have all seen and use this type hardware. But what is "Fire Exit Hardware?"

Fire exit hardware is defined as "A door-latching assembly incorporating an actuating member or bar that releases the latch bolt upon the application of a force in the direction of egress travel and that additionally provides fire protection where used as part of a fire door assembly." Well, what is the difference?

All fire doors must have a closer and a latch in accordance with NFPA 80. Fire Doors and Fire Windows. Regular panic hardware generally has a "dogging device" so the latch can be held retracted. Usually a screwdriver or Alien wrench is used to secure the latch retracted so the door can be opened from the outside by just pulling the handle. Of course, such hardware with the "dogging device" cannot be used on fire protection-rated doors because fire protection-rated doors must always latch.

Regular panic hardware may be used on doors that are not required to be fire protection rated, such as exterior doors. On doors that are required to be fire protection-rated, such as doors to exit stairs, fire exit hardware is required. The label on each device will clearly state if it is "Panic Hardware" or "Fire Exit Hardware"

When is panic or fire exit hardware required? The Life Safety Code discusses the general requirements for panic and fire exit hardware in Chapter 7, Section 7.2.1.7. This section does not mandate when panic hardware is required, but only if it is required, how it is to be installed, and its function.

The requirements for when it is required are found in the occupancy chapters of NFPA 101, Chapters 12 through 42. Since this hardware is mounted on doors, the requirement is found in the occupancy chapter section on doors. The Life Safety Code uses the term "components" to describe all of the parts of the means of egress that one could walk on or through, such as doors, stairs, ramps, and passageways. The component section of each occupancy chapter is Section 2.2.

Panic or fire exit hardware is only required where latching doors are located in assembly occupancies, educational occupancies, and day-care occupancies and these doors serve an area with 100 or more persons. There are two important items to note here. One is that if the doors do not latch, there is no need for panic-type hardware. This is because the purpose of panic-type hardware is to release the latch so the door can open. The second important item is that the threshold of 100 persons is not the number of persons using the door, but the number of persons in the room or area the door serves. For example, the door from a classroom in an educational occupancy may only serve 25 or 30 students and would not require panic-type hardware. However, the door from the corridor of that school to the exterior would require panic-type hardware as that door serves an area (several classrooms) with 100 or more persons.

There is one other area that may require panic-type hardware. This requirement is somewhat "hidden" in the code in Section 7.11, "Special Provisions for Occupancies with High Hazard Contents." Specifically, Section 7.11.6 requires panic-type hardware on latching doors serving a high-hazard contents area with more than five occupants.

Chip Carson, P.E.

CHIP CARSON, P.E., is owner and president of Carson Associates, Inc., in Warrenton, Virginia. He is also a member of the NFPA Board of Directors.

Copyright National Fire Protection Association Jul/Aug 2007

(c) 2007 NFPA Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.