Learning Objective: To understand the requirements for the location of the release mechanism on doors in the means of egress.
By Robert Trotter, CBO, CFM, MCP - Manager, Sr. Life Safety Specialist
Doors in the means of egress including exit access doors from individual rooms must meet the applicable provisions of the Life Safety Code® for the height of the releasing mechanism. Examples of devices that might be arranged to release latches include knobs, levers, and panic bars. This requirement is permitted to be satisfied by the use of conventional types of hardware, whereby the door is released by turning a lever, knob, or handle or by pushing against a panic bar, but not by unfamiliar methods of operation such as a blow to break glass. The operating devices should be capable of being operated with one hand and should not require tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate.
