[BE] 1010.1.10 Panic and Fire Exit Hardware

Doors serving a Group H occupancy and doors serving rooms or spaces with an occupant load of 50 or more in a Group A occupancy, assembly area not classified as an assembly occupancy, E, I-2 or I-2.1 occupancies shall not be provided with a latch or lock other than panic hardware or fire exit hardware. For Group L occupancies see Section 453.6.3 of the California Building Code.

Exceptions:

1. A main exit of a Group A occupancy shall be permitted to be locking in accordance with Section 1010.1.9.3, Item 2.
2. Doors serving a Group A occupancy shall be permitted to be electromagnetically locked in accordance with Section 1010.1.9.9.

Electrical rooms with equipment rated 800-amperes or more and over 6 feet (1829 mm) wide, and that contain over-current devices, switching devices or control devices with exit or exit access doors, shall be equipped with panic hardware or fire exit hardware. The doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel.

Where panic or fire exit hardware is installed, it shall comply with the following:

1. Panic hardware shall be listed in accordance with UL 305.
2. Fire exit hardware shall be listed in accordance with UL 10C and UL 305.
3. The actuating portion of the releasing device shall extend not less than one-half of the door leaf width.
4. The maximum unlatching force shall not exceed 15 pounds (67 N).