Requirements for escape doors
Any door on an escape route must be readily openable. Accordingly, any such doors should either not be fitted with a lock, latch or bolt or, alternatively, any such fitting must be readily operable without the use of a key in the direction of escape and without requiring more than one mechanism to be manipulated. Doors should open in the direction of escape, although exceptions, including sliding doors, may be permitted where the number of persons using the door is low and they can be assumed to be familiar with the arrangement. Certain types of door, such as automatic doors and revolving doors will require specific features to be usable as escape doors. Further details can be obtained from the following documents:
Code of Practice: Hardware for Fire and Escape Doors, published by dhf and GAI:
http://www.firecode.org.uk/ See, in particular, section 12 for escape door hardware.
ENGLAND- Building Regulations 2010, Approved Document B volume 2 - Buildings other than dwellinghouses:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1124736/Approved_Document_B__fire_safety__volume_2_-_Buildings_other_than_dwellings__2019_edition_incorporating_2020_and_2022_amendments.pdf
See requirement B1, section 5, Doors on escape routes.
WALES- Building Regulations 2010, Approved Document B volume 2 - Buildings other than dwellinghouses:
https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2021-12/building-regulations-guidance-part-b-fire-safety-volume-2-buildings-other-than-dwellinghouses.pdf
See requirement B1, section 5, Doors on escape routes.
SCOTLAND- Building Standards technical handbook 2016: non-domestic:
https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/advice-and-guidance/2019/10/building-standards-technical-handbook-2019-non-domestic/documents/building-standards-technical-handbook-2019-non-domestic-buildings-copy/building-standards-technical-handbook-2019-non-domestic-buildings-copy/govscot%3Adocument/Building%2Bstandards%2Btechnical%2Bhandbook%2Bnon-domestic%252C%2B24%2BSeptember%2B2019.pdf
See sections 2.9.15, 2.9.16, 2.9.18, 2.9.19, 2.9.20 and 2.9.21
NORTHERN IRELAND- Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 Technical Booklet E:
http://www.buildingcontrol-ni.com/assets/pdf/TechnicalBookletE2012.pdf
See sections 2.87, 2.88, 2.89 and 2.90
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND- Building Regulations 2006 Technical Guidance Document B:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad%2C1640%2Cen.pdf
See Section B1.4.3, Doors on escape routes.
Further reading
