In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about positive latching doors.
Q: Is positive latching required for any fire-rated door in any occupancy classification? If so, are there any exceptions? What about double-egress corridor doors — are they required to be positive latching? Are doors to restrooms required to be positive latching?
A: Yes, fire-rated doors are required to positively latch no matter where they are installed, according to section 8.2.3.2.1 of the 2000 Life Safety Code. This section requires all fire-rated doors to be compliant with NFPA 80, which requires positive latching hardware. This is a requirement for all occupancies, and is not specific to any one occupancy. There are no exceptions as far as I know: If the door is a fire-rated door assembly, then it needs to positively latch.
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