Column

Q&A: Corridor door louvers

Brad Keyes discusses corridor door louvers

By Brad Keyes / Special to Healthcare Facilities Today


Q: Is there a code that says anything about adding a vent through a door that is in the corridor of our hospital?

A: Well… you might be able to do that legally on a very few specific corridor doors (i.e. bathroom doors, toilet rooms doors, shower room doors), but no, you cannot install a louver in a typical corridor door in a hospital because section 19.3.6.3.1 of the 2012 LSC says corridor doors have to resist the passage of smoke. Therefore, a louver in a door would not resist the passage of smoke.

Now, a very few specific corridor doors do not have to resist the passage of smoke as described in section 19.3.6.3.2 (1), and you would be permitted to install a louver in those doors. 

Brad Keyes, CHSP, is the owner of KEYES Life Safety Compliance, and his expertise is in the management of the Life Safety Program, including the Environment of Care and Emergency Management programs.

 

 



August 24, 2016


Topic Area: Regulations, Codes & Standards


Recent Posts

Cleanliness in Hospitals: Clinical Priority and Community Perception

EVS managers and communities value cleanliness for complementary reasons: managers for safety and compliance, communities for trust and comfort.


Dana-Farber Receives $50M Gift for Planned Cancer Hospital

A $50 million grant from the Yawkey Foundation will support construction of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s planned 450,000-square-foot cancer hospital.


Clarinda Regional Health Center Reports Data Security Incident

On or around December 15, 2025, Clarinda learned that certain data within its network may have been accessed without authorization.


Gaps in Nurses' Environmental Cleaning Knowledge Grow Amid Rising EVS Pressures

Environmental cleaning is crucial in preventing HAIs, but when the responsibility falls to those outside of EVS teams, problems arise. 


Ground Broken on the Southern Nevada Forensic Facility

Construction on the new secure forensic psychiatric hospital is expected to be completed in 2029.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.