As you review safety and procedures for exit doors in your Florida commercial business, the most important thing to remember about safety is ease of use. When someone needs to get out of a building they must be able to leave without having to ask directions to exit signs, get special tools like keys to open doors, or have special knowledge and training to operate locks. All openings must be capable of activation with one motion such as lever handles.

If several people congregate in a room, all your exits must be able to open with very little outward force by leaning into a safety device like panic bars. Your Fire Marshall is the one who will make final decisions for his jurisdiction, so do not buy hardware for your property without getting their okay or from your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). You can always find out who that is through your local Florida community or city building department.

These rules are interpreted differently by whoever reads them. For example, when I took a class on the subject our two instructors were not in agreement with many of the issues. This brings me to a simple conclusion; they get paid to make decisions, so go ahead and let them, but if the project is long term or there are several of them in that office, get approvals in writing.

When I decide on a certain way I want to set up my commercial door safety hardware I will normally bring floor plans in with a hardware schedule and say "This is the way I think will be best.", and ask for advice on any weakness in the plan. Work with local Florida commercial building authorities a few times and they will know you well enough that they will tell you to quit bothering them. When you're really up on the material they may call you for special advice, and may even recommend your company as the experts that will get the job done right.

Return often for more on access, advice, cctv, controls, doors, gates, installation, news, reviews, safety, security, and service for your commercial door and access requirements.

TAGS: business advice commercial door emergency doors safety advice

Labels: access, advice, cctv, controls, doors, gates, installation, news, reviews, safety, security, service