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.
17 Million Patient Records Stolen in PIH Health Ransomware Attack
Holidays are Prime Times for Healthcare Cyberattacks
Hartford Healthcare Forms Partnership to Open Health Equity Clinic
UCHealth Reveals Plans for Memorial Hospital North Expansion
What Are 'Hospi-tels'?