805.5 Openings in Corridor Walls

Openings in corridor walls in any work area shall comply with Sections 805.5.1 through 805.5.4.

Corridor doors in the work area shall not be constructed of hollow core wood and shall not contain louvers. All dwelling unit or sleeping unit corridor doors in work areas in buildings of Groups R-1, R-2, and I-1 shall be at least 1³/₈-inch (35 mm) solid core wood or approved equivalent and shall not have any glass panels, other than approved wired glass or other approved glazing material in metal frames. All dwelling unit or sleeping unit corridor doors in work areas in buildings of Groups R-1, R-2, and I-1 shall be equipped with approved door closers. All replacement doors shall be 1³/₄-inch (45 mm) solid bonded wood core or approved equivalent, unless the existing frame will accommodate only a 1³/₈-inch (35 mm) door.

1. Corridor doors within a dwelling unit or sleeping unit.
2. Existing doors meeting the requirements of Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies (Appendix C) for a rating of 15 minutes or more shall be accepted as meeting the provisions of this requirement.
3. Existing doors in buildings protected throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be required only to resist smoke, be reasonably tight fitting, and shall not contain louvers.
4. In group homes with a maximum of 15 occupants and that are protected with an approved automatic detection system, closing devices may be omitted.
5. Door assemblies having a fire protection rating of at least 20 minutes.

In all buildings of Group I-1, R-1 and R-2 occupancy, all transoms in corridor walls in work areas shall either be glazed with ¹/₄-inch (6.4 mm) wired glass set in metal frames or other glazing assemblies having a fire protection rating as required for the door and permanently secured in the closed position or sealed with materials consistent with the corridor construction.

In any work area, any other sash, grille, or opening in a corridor and any window in a corridor not opening to the outside air shall be sealed with materials consistent with the corridor construction.

Where the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, Section 805.5.3 shall be applicable to all corridor windows, grills, sashes, and other openings on the floor.

Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, the requirements of Sections 805.5.1 through 805.5.3 shall apply throughout the floor.