Panic hardware is required on doors in NFPA 101 under which condition?

Panic hardware is required on doors in NFPA 101 under which condition?

• A. On doors in every room regardless of occupancy.
• B. On doors serving as part of the egress route for occupancies that exceed certain occupant-load thresholds or as specified by the code.
• C. Only on exterior doors.
• D. On doors with glass panels only.

Answer: (B)

Panic hardware is required on doors that are part of the means of egress for occupancies that exceed certain occupant-load thresholds (or as specified by the code). The idea is to ensure quick, easy egress during an emergency, especially when a large number of people could be exiting at once. The hardware must be operable with a simple push or one-hand force, without needing to grasp or turn a knob, so delays and crowding are minimized. This requirement applies to doors that actually serve as exit doors in the egress route for those larger occupancies, not to every door in every room, not solely exterior doors, and not limited to doors with glass panels. The key factor is the door’s role in the means of egress and the occupancy load.

Panic hardware is required on doors that are part of the means of egress for occupancies that exceed certain occupant-load thresholds (or as specified by the code). The idea is to ensure quick, easy egress during an emergency, especially when a large number of people could be exiting at once. The hardware must be operable with a simple push or one-hand force, without needing to grasp or turn a knob, so delays and crowding are minimized.

This requirement applies to doors that actually serve as exit doors in the egress route for those larger occupancies, not to every door in every room, not solely exterior doors, and not limited to doors with glass panels. The key factor is the door’s role in the means of egress and the occupancy load.