This outline is based on Hardware Specialties'  interpretation of the code, all information must be verified and approved by a registered architect, professional engineer, and/or authority having jurisdiction.

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Currently, the applicable building codes for the state of Rhode Island are:

• Building Code
  * BOCA National Building Code - 1996
  * Rhode Island Building Code - SBC-1 Rev. 2/1/93

• Life Safety Code - NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code - 1994 (1997)*

• Fire Code and Standard 
  * NFPA 80 - Standard for Fire Doors and Windows - 1992 (1995)*
  * Rhode Island Fire Laws and Regulations - 1996 edition

• Accessibility Standard - Rhode Island Accessibility Code - SBC-14, 15, 16 - 2/1/93

*Where a document has been updated, but has not yet been adopted by the state of Maine, the date of the latest revision is in parentheses.

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Some things to keep in mind....

• The Authority Having Jurisdiction has the final say.

• The codes are constantly changing.

• The most stringent code applies.
  * check local codes!

• This is our interpretation of the codes.

• This is only the tip of the iceberg.

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What is an "Authority Having Jurisdiction"?

• Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - The organization, office or individual responsible for approving equipment, and installation, or a procedure (NFPA 101).

• The AHJ has ability to approve variations to the codes or applications that have been tested by the manufacturer that are not in the codes.

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Life Safety Code

NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code - 1994 (1997)*

• Governs life safety - egress requirements, protection of occupants.

• Divided by occupancy classification - different occupancies have different code requirements.

What is a Means of Egress?

• A continuous  and unobstructed way of exit travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way consisting of three separate and distinct parts:
  (a) the exit access
  (b) the exit
  (c) the exit discharge

• A means of egress comprises the vertical and horizontal travel and shall include intervening room spaces, doorways, hallway, corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, escalators, horizontal exits, courts, and yards.

Egress Doors

• Doors shall be arranged to be opened readily from the egress side whenever the building is occupied.

• Locks, if provided, shall not require the use of a key, tool or special knowledge, or effort for operation from the inside of the building.

Egress Pairs

• Where pairs of doors are required in a means of egress, each leaf of the pair shall be provided with its own  releasing device.

• Devices that depend upon the release of one door before the other shall not be used (no astragals on pairs of doors with exit devices).
  * Exception:  Where exit doors are used in pairs and approved automatic flush bolts are used, the door leaf having the automatic flush bolts shall have no door knob or surface mounted hardware.  The unlatching of any leaf shall not require more than one operation>

Egress Door Hardware

• A latch or other fastening device on a door shall be provided with a lever, knob, handle, panic bar or other simple type of releasing device having an obvious method of operation under all lighting conditions.

• Doors shall be openable with no more than one releasing operation.

Where are Exit Devices Required?

• In a means of egress where:
  * Occupancy load is 100 people or more and the occupancy type is
  (1) Educational - Buildings or parts of buildings which are used by more than 5 people at one time for educational purposes, with a total occupancy load of greater than 50 people, for kindergarten through 12th grade or day care centers for children over 2 years and 9 months of age. Or:
  (2) Assembly - Buildings or parts of buildings which are used or designed for the gathering together of persons for purposes such as civic, social, or religious functions, recreation, food or drink consumption, or awaiting transportation, which will accommodate 50 or more occupants

• There are many places where exit devices are not required by code, but should be used for convenience or life safety.

Stairwell Reentry

• Every stair enclosure door shall permit reentry to the interior of the building, or an automatic release shall be provided to unlock all stair doors simultaneously upon initiation of the building fire alarm system

• Selected doors shall be permitted to have locking hardware provided that
  * at least 2 levels are unlocked
  * there aren't more than 4 stories between unlocked floors
  * the top or next to the top floor is unlocked
  * signage on the stair side identifies unlocked doors
  * signage on the stair side of locked doors indicates the location of nearest unlocked door in each direction

• Stairs serving less than 4 stories do not need to comply

• Compliance is not required where specifically stated by NFPA 101

Delayed Egress Locks

• approved, listed, delayed egress locks shall be permitted in buildings protected by an approved fire detection system or sprinkler system, where permitted by chapters 8 - 31, provided that
  * doors unlock upon actuation of the fire protection system
  * doors unlock upon loss of power controlling the locking mechanism
  * doors unlock upon disablement of the fire protection system
  * an irreversible process releases the lock within 15 seconds (ahj can approve a delay of up to 30 seconds) upon application to the release device (15 lbf for not more than 3 seconds)
  * initiation of the release process activates a signal in the vicinity of the door
  * after release, locking shall be by manual means only
  * signage on egress side of door (push until alarm sounds. door can be opened in 15 seconds)

Access Controlled Egress Doors

• where permitted in chapters 8 - 32, doors in means of egress shall be permitted to have an approved entrance and egress access control system, provided that
  * a sensor on the egress side unlocks the door upon detection of an occupant approaching the door
  * loss of power to the sensor unlocks the door
  * loss of power to the lock unlocks the door
  * manual release device adjacent to the door unlocks the door
  * manual release device must have signage (PUSH TO EXIT)
  * manual release device results in direct interruption of power to the lock, and door remains unlocked for at least 30 seconds
  * fire protection system automatically unlocks the door, and the door remains unlocked the fire protection system is manually reset

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FIRE CODE and Standard

NFPA 80 - Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows - 1992 (1995)*
Rhode Island Fire Laws and Regulations - 1996

• Deals with fire doors, frames, hardware, etc.

• NFPA 80 is not a code, it is a standard, but it is referenced in codes such as NFPA 101.

Fire doors....

• can not be mechanically held open:
  * no hold-open arms on closers
  * no wall stops with hooks
  * no wood wedges

• can usually be electrically held open (automatic closing).  Some codes do not allow automatic closing devices in certain locations.  Automatic closing devices include:
  * electro-magnetic hold open closer
  * wall or floor electro-magnet with closer
  * battery operated detector closer holder
  * non-detectored holders must be wired into the fire alarm system

• must be self-latching.  Latches that can be held retracted generally can not be used on fire doors.
  * no manual flush bolts (except on doors to rooms that aren't normally occupied)
  * no mechanical dogging on exit devices
  * no push/pulls
  * electric strikes must be fail secure

• must have ball bearing steel hinges

• must not have kick plates higher than 16"

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ACCESSIBILITY STANDARD

Rhode Island Accessibility Code - SBC-14, 15, 16 - 2/1/93

• ensures accessibility of all public facilities

Clear Opening Width

• 32" minimum
  * measured with door open 90 degrees
  * face of door to stop on strike jamb
  * projection of hardware is not taken into account
  * at least one leaf of a pair must comply
  * shallow closets (less than 24") are exempt

Thresholds

• 1/2" high maximum 

• beveled both sides with slope no greater than 1:2

Door Hardware

• shape of operating devices must be easy to grasp with one hand

• no tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate

• levers and u-shaped handles are acceptable

• no specific projection is required for pulls

• no higher than 48" above finish floor

Closing Speed

• sweep period - 3 seconds minimum
  * from an open position of 70 degrees to a point 3 inches from the latch
  * measured to the leading edge of the door

• delayed action is not a code requirement

Opening Force

• exterior hinged doors: (reserved)

• interior hinged doors:  5 lbf maximum

• sliding or folding doors:  5 lbf maximum

• fire doors:  up to the ahj
  *size 3 is recommended for fire doors per NFPA 80

Automatic Operators

• automatic operators are not required by code but can help solve code problems
  * clear opening width on pairs
  * door opening force
  * maneuvering clearances
  * small vestibules

• where automatic operators are used, they must be the low energy type, requiring no more than 15 lbf to stop door movement, and must take at least 3 seconds to open to backcheck.

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REMINDERS...

• The Authority having Jurisdiction has the final say.

• The codes are constantly changing.

• The most stringent code applies.
  * check out the local codes!!!

• This is our interpretation of the codes.

• This is only the tip of the iceberg.

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