When considering the main entrance to a building, emergency egress is one of the most important issues. The International Building Code and National Fire Protection Agency require at least one swing or slide door within 10 feet of a revolving door. A door near a revolving entrance provides additional emergency egress for people with disabilities and is essential to a fire safety plan.
Exceptions to Revolving Door Code Compliance
The International Building Code and local governments may require revolving doors to have adjacent swinging doors for emergency egress. However, many architects and specialty contractors have found creative ways to incorporate revolving doors into existing structures and design them in a functional and beautiful way. A few examples of how revolving doors have been integrated into buildings are highlighted below.
Emergency egress is the primary consideration when planning for the main entrance to a building. According to the International Building Code and National Fire Protection Agency, revolving doors must be at least 10 feet from another door. This distance allows people with disabilities to reach the door.
There are some exceptions to code compliance for revolving doors. For example, a revolving door may serve 50 occupants regardless of its width in the book fold position, while two swing doors would serve 460 occupants. New construction generally considers occupant load when designing for revolving doors, but major renovations or construction projects can affect the means of egress.
Speed Control Device
The speed control device is one of the essential features of revolving door assemblies. It slows down the door’s rotation by applying pressure to the brake shoes inside the drum. The device can be floor mounted or installed overhead. Floor-mounted models typically use in buildings with glass ceilings or lack clearance.
The speed control device has to be correctly installed to ensure revolving door code compliance. It must also comply with the following requirements: a minimum breakout force of 130 pounds (578 N) applied within 3 inches (76 mm) of the outer edge of the wing.
The device should also be integrated with an access control system. This will unlock the door when an authorized credential is presented. The door will continue to rotate while someone is inside, but tailgating is still a concern. A revolving door should only be used as the first layer of physical security, and further measures may be necessary to prevent unauthorized entry. Additional measures may include guard staff and turnstiles. Additionally, additional locking mechanisms may be required if the door is located in a restricted area. Generally, modern code requirements are governed by ANSI, IBC, and NFPA.
Safety Requirements
To comply with the building code, revolving doors must meet specific safety requirements. They must be collapsible, have parallel egress paths, and have a minimum rpm of 130 pounds. They also must be side-hinged swinging.
Revolving doors should be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Cutting or trimming during installation should be done only with the manufacturer’s approval. Any metal that contacts masonry or concrete work should be coated with a heavy bituminous coating. Joint sealants must comply with requirements for weather-tight installation.
Other safety requirements for revolving doors include the following: the door must swing full width of the opening, and force must be applied from the side of the egress. In addition, the door must be able to withstand water pressure.
Emergency Book Fold Mechanism
A revolving door has several safety features that must be considered during the design process. The door must have a magnetic breakaway and an emergency book fold mechanism. The breakaway system must be equipped with electromagnets capable of holding a force of 1000 pounds (4400 N) per minute. It must also be fitted with an emergency stop push button that will stop the door rotation when the push button is activated.
All revolving door systems must be equipped with a panic collapsing or emergency book fold mechanism to meet building code requirements. These devices allow the door frames to fold against each other, allowing for a safe exit in the event of a fire. These systems are required by the Uniform Building Code and most municipalities.
