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.
State of the Facilities Management Industry in 2025
City of Hope to Open New Cancer Specialty Hospital in California
Montefiore Einstein Opening New Inpatient Center for Youth in the Bronx
Skill Stacking: How Micro-Credentials Are Reshaping Trades
Prima Medicine Opens New Location in Tysons, Virginia