Life Safety (LS) (Ambulatory Health Care / Ambulatory Health Care)
Corridor Door - 5-ft-lb Closure Exception
Publish | January 01, 0001
What is the requirement for corridor doors using the "5-ft-lb closure exception?"
In accordance with standard LS.02.01.30, The Joint Commission uses the Life Safety Code NFPA 101 (2000 edition) 19.3.6.3.2 for existing health care occupancy corridor doors. Positive latching is required or allowance to use 5 ft-lb of force to keep the door closed. There must be a maintenance strategy in place to maintain/validate the 5 ft-lb closure criteria, and the closure force must be applied during all conditions, even a loss of power. This 5 ft-lb criteria does not apply to new health care occupancies defined by 18.3.6.3 where positive latching hardware is required. For both new and existing health care occupancies, positive latching is not required for toilet rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms, sink closets, and similar auxiliary spaces that do not contain flammable or combustible materials. Roller latches are prohibited in all applications. [LS.02.01.30]
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