NFPA Journal - Summer 2021 - 15

PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Manual operation can include chain
hoist, crank, or gripping points.
2. Breakout panels: The door panels should be easy to break out
manually in the event of power failure. The force required to break
out the door panels should not exceed 30 pounds, and the force required to push open the door pan-

els to the minimum height and
width for each egress opening
should not exceed 15 pounds.
3. Backup power supply: The door
assembly should have an integrated standby power supply and be
electrically monitored. The door assembly should open to a minimum
height of 80 inches and a minimum
width of 32 inches, within 10 seconds after activation. It should stay
open until full power is resumed. A
backup power supply as a standalone option is subject to approval.
All parameters and requirements
are outlined in IBC Section 1010.1.4.3
titled " special purpose horizontal
sliding, accordion or folding doors. "
Guidelines when
choosing an egress option
If one of the three egress options
is applied, reasoning must be provided. Occupancy type, space,
door type, material, and doorway design should be referenced.
To be exempt from the rating requirements in the IBC and NFPA 101,
the architect, engineer, designer, or
building owner must prove that the
high-speed door is not fire-rated and
that it is being installed in a non-firerated wall.

NFPA 101 content
NFPA 101 does not address high-speed
doors. For these applications, code officials using NFPA 101 could invoke
Section 1.4 titled " Equivalency " and/
or subsections " Technical Documentation " and " Equivalent Compliance. "
This requires technical documentation demonstrating equivalency to
a conventionally operating door. To
obtain approval,
the intended
purpose must
be established
as an equivalent
system, method,
or device to be
recognized as
compliant.
In this
instance, a
high-speed door
would likely
be classified
as a " device " . As with the IBC, the
equivalency would likely be measured in terms of quality, strength,
effectiveness, durability and safety,
and approval by the authority having
jurisdiction would likely be a function
of occupant load.
Egress application-
installation example
In 2018, a chicken hatchery in northwestewrn Arkansas wanted highspeed doors for an egress application. Since high-speed doors are
typically not side hinged doors, they
may appear to not meet the egress
requirements of the International Building Code (IBC) Chapter 10.
However, the facility was able to install a series of rolling vinyl type
doors measuring 6-feet wide and
8-feet tall with full vision panels and stainless-steel frames. The
doors were found to meet the following critical IBC requirements:
* The door construction related ability to break free of its track. This was
cited as the most critical aspect of
gaining AHJ approval. The door included markings indicating where individuals can push through the side
of the door. It complied with IBC

Go to NFPA.org/Journal/Advertising for more information about sponsored content advertising

DASMA_Sponsored content spread_DS_03.25.21.indd 15

1010.1.4.2 because it can be manually broken away to permit exiting.
* The force needed for manual exit being less than 50 pounds. The door included markings indicated where individuals can lift the door from the
bottom. This met IBC 1010.1.3 as well
as similar requirements in NFPA 101.
* The door being openable from
the egress side without special knowledge or effort or use
of a key. This met IBC 1010.1.9
and also OSHA Workplace Regulation 29 CFR 1910.36.
Steps to remember
For a high-speed door to be an
egress component, architects, engineers, designers, and building
owners should do the following:
» Confirm that a high-speed door
is needed at the location.
» Distinguish the type(s)
of egress design.
» Consider the users of the door
from within the building (private versus public) and provide necessary signage.
» Ensure that the door is a usable door.
» Include all relevant " entrapment protection " devices, which includes any
device protecting people from being caught under a closing door.
Conclusion
High-speed doors serve a valuable
and important function in a building. The size and speed of these doors
would allow a large amount of people to exit a building quickly and
could potentially save many lives. n
Note: Content from this article can
be found in the (DASMA) Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association) Technical Data Sheet #458, available for free at HYPERLINK " http://
www.dasma.com " www.dasma.com.
(101® and Life Safety Code® are registered trademarks of the National
Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. All rights reserved.)

N F PA . O R G / J O U R N A L * NFPA JOURNAL

| 15

4/29/21 11:25 AM

http://www.dasma.com' http://www.dasma.com' http://www.dasma.com https://nfpa.org/journal http://www.NFPA.org/Journal/Advertising

NFPA Journal - Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - Summer 2021