Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Self-closing doors on hazardous rooms

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for self-closing doors on hazardous rooms

By Brad Keyes / Special to Healthcare Facilities Today


Q: Do soiled utility rooms in business occupancies (non-sprinklered) require self-closing doors and 1-hour fire rated construction?

A: Yes, but not because it is a soiled utility room (like a hospital), but because it is a storage room. Business occupancy chapters of the LSC says storage rooms are hazardous areas, and references section 8.7.1.1 of the 2012 LSC which requires all hazardous areas to be either fully protected with sprinklers, or protected with 1-hour fire-rated construction. Since your business occupancy is non-sprinklered, then that means the storage room (i.e. soiled utility room) needs to be one-hour fire rated construction which requires a ¾-hour fire-rated self-closing door.  

NFPA 105 continues to explain that smoke dampers are tested once every 4-years for non-hospitals and must be tested with normal HVAC airflow. 

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.



February 12, 2020


Topic Area: Regulations, Codes & Standards


Recent Posts

Sunflower Medical Group Facing Lawsuit Following January Data Breach

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, damages, expanded credit monitoring services and security improvements at Sunflower Medical Group.


Nemours Children's Health Opens New Location in Lake Nona

The nearly 8,000-square-foot facility will increase access to primary and specialty care services.


Enhancing Safety at Hennepin Healthcare with a Screening System

Case study: The system was able to detect 2,500 risk items in less than five months.


Healthcare Workers Outside Butler Memorial Hospital for Increased Workplace Safety

The picketing comes as the nurses and other healthcare staff experience increasing incidents of workplace violence.


TriasMD Set to Open DISC Surgery Center at Carlsbad

With construction finished, it is now being equipped and staffed to take on its first cases.


 
 


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.