Are residential treatment centers required to install self-closing doors or automatic closing devices on doors in sleeping rooms?

Back to FAQs

Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.

Sleeping room automatic door closing devices are only required in residential board and care occupancies that are unsprinklered. Additionally, in existing large unsprinklered residential board and care occupancies, sleeping rooms shall be equipped with self-closing or automatic closing devices unless the following life safety features are also in place:

The building is two stories or less in height
Each sleeping room has an additional means of egress to the outside that does not pass through a corridor (examples include doors or egress-sized windows that open directly outside)
The building's occupants are capable of moving to safety in a timely manner and are not slowed due to age, impairment, or other reason

Facilities are classified as "existing" if final plans for construction, additions, renovations, or changes in occupancy were approved by the local authority having jurisdiction before July 5, 2016. Residential board and care occupancies are considered "large facilities" if they house more than 16 residents.

Reference: LS.04.02.30 EP 12

Manual: Behavioral Health

Chapter: Life Safety LS

First published date: April 11, 2016