# Aren't there laws about whether doors should push on exiting public buildings? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 25, 2013, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312 "2013-01-25T12:09:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/1 "2013-01-25T12:09:36Z")
I always thought there were (NYC). But I’ve run into many cases where the exit doors were pull. (I saw what I did there.) Similarly, is there any law on how doors are hung (insert joke here)? I’ve clonked my head or strained my wrist many times by pushing the wrong side–usually I aim for the right. There oughtta be one. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/2 "2013-01-25T13:13:23Z")
In many locations, current code does call for “push to exit” for safety reasons, but existing doors get grandfathered in. So, even if NY code calls for “push to exit” (which I don’t know if it does), any building older than the law will have its doors whichever way they were put in. As for which side to hang a door from, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a law regulating that. That one is a matter of which kind of space you’re dealing with, AFAICT, and of the architect’s tastes. ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/3 "2013-01-25T13:29:29Z")
I’m sure someone will come along with the exact citation but AFAIK exit doors must open outwards and it’s one of those laws that does not allow for grandfathering. You can always call your local Fire Marshall for an exact ruling. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/4 "2013-01-25T14:02:09Z")
Are the buildings state-owned? State-owned buildings are exempt from fire codes in NYC. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/5 "2013-01-25T14:08:37Z")
A local restaurant to me (not NYC) has a vestibule where the first exit door pushes out and the second door swings in. This was done to city code because if the exit door swung out, it would go right into the sidewalk which could injure unsuspecting passers by. I wonder if that could be the same rationale. ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/6 "2013-01-25T14:15:02Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > A local restaurant to me (not NYC) has a vestibule where the first exit door pushes out and the second door swings in. This was done to city code because if the exit door swung out, it would go right into the sidewalk which could injure unsuspecting passers by. I wonder if that could be the same rationale. I frequent a store with the same type of setup for the doors. I’ll have to ask them if this is the reason. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/7 "2013-01-25T14:17:20Z")
I believe the “push-to-exit” doors became standard after the [Coconut Grove fire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoanut_Grove_fire#November_28.2C_1942) in 1942: > [@](#): > > As is common in panic situations, many patrons attempted to exit through the main entrance, the same way they had entered. The building’s main entrance was a single revolving door, rendered useless as the panicked crowd scrambled for safety. Bodies piled up behind both sides of the revolving door, jamming it to the extent that firefighters had to dismantle it to enter. Later, after fire laws had tightened, it would become illegal to have only one revolving door as a main entrance without being flanked by outward opening doors with panic bar openers attached. > > Other avenues of escape were similarly useless: side doors had been bolted shut to prevent people from leaving without paying. A plate glass window, which could have been smashed for escape, was boarded up and unusable as an emergency exit. Other unlocked doors, like the ones in the Broadway Lounge, opened inwards, rendering them useless against the crush of people trying to escape. Fire officials later testified that, had the doors swung outwards, at least 300 lives could have been spared. Many young soldiers perished in the disaster, as well as a newly-married couple. [QUOTE=Fir na tine] I’m sure someone will come along with the exact citation but AFAIK exit doors must open outwards and it’s one of those laws that does not allow for grandfathering. [/QUOTE] The grandfathering will vary from jurisdiction. Where I live, some older buildings (i.e. more than a century old) have some pull-to-exit doors, but also other push-to-exit doors. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/8 "2013-01-25T14:23:46Z")
For those interested in a little history, most of these building and fire codes were changed after [the Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoanut_grove_fire). Over 400 people died, partly because the main exit was only one revolving door. Other exits were chained shut or opened inward. People stampeded for the exits only to be crushed against the doors. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/9 "2013-01-25T14:49:30Z")
Just to give a representative example of a state law: Florida Statute 823.06, some form of which appeared as early as 1891: > [@](#): > > 823.06 Doors of public buildings to open outward.—All buildings erected in this state for theatrical, operatic, or other public entertainments of whatsoever kind shall be so constructed that the shutters to all entrances to said building shall open outwardly and be so arranged as to readily allow any person inside said building to escape therefrom in case of fire or other accident. Any owner, manager, lessee, or other person having charge of any public building for the use expressed herein who fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree. ---
**Author:** ![SpeedwayRyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@SpeedwayRyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpeedwayRyan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/10 "2013-01-25T16:59:29Z")
Just a related note…on some doors, especially those on emergency exits or leading to stairwells (used for egress in a fire) you’ll see a push bar that goes the width of the door, and pushing anywhere on it will unlatch and open the door. These are called “panic hardware” in the building industry. Imagine a huge mass of panicky people in a smoky building with fire alarms going off trying to get out the door. If a door opened in, and the mass of people was pushing against it, that would be a Bad Thing. Outward-opening doors and panic hardware mean that a mass of people pushing and trying to get out the door will open it, without anyone having to operate a door handle or do anything. Rather than people getting trampled or crushed against a closed door, they get out safely. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/11 "2013-01-25T17:14:22Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Are the buildings state-owned? State-owned buildings are exempt from fire codes in NYC. This is very interesting. The exact opposite is true in Nebraska. Cities of 100,000 population or more are under the authority of the City Fire Marshal and as such exempted from the State jurisdiction. State owned buildings fall directly under the authority of the State Fire Marshal, even in the exempted areas. The State Fire Marshal’s office is known for their exacting and stringent code enforcement. The City Fire Marshal’s enforcement is often not quite so intense. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/12 "2013-01-25T19:09:12Z")
Note that **Raza** ’s cite does not include stores, office buildings or mixed-uses buildings. Those can be considered “public buildings” depending on who you ask, but at least according to that Florida paragraph they do not have the “push to exit” requirement. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/13 "2013-01-25T19:51:11Z")
I’ve noticed private homes in Florida have doors that swing out. My aunt lives there and said its because of hurricanes. A door that swings out rests against the door stop molding. So you have a physical barrier that keeps the door from swinging in during a storm. Plus theres also the door lock holding it. Homes in my state have exterior doors that swing in. The only thing holding them in place is the door lock. Thats why its so easy for a burglar to kick in a door. I’ve thought about switching my door out. But it would be a PITA getting in when your hands are carrying groceries. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/14 "2013-01-25T20:04:30Z")
if there are pairs of doors then ‘enter’ doors might swing in. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/15 "2013-01-26T03:24:25Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > Just a related note…on some doors, especially those on emergency exits or leading to stairwells (used for egress in a fire) you’ll see a push bar that goes the width of the door, and pushing anywhere on it will unlatch and open the door. These are called “panic hardware” in the building industry. > > Imagine a huge mass of panicky people in a smoky building with fire alarms going off trying to get out the door. If a door opened in, and the mass of people was pushing against it, that would be a Bad Thing. Outward-opening doors and panic hardware mean that a mass of people pushing and trying to get out the door will open it, without anyone having to operate a door handle or do anything. Rather than people getting trampled or crushed against a closed door, they get out safely. Never thought of that. Just recently I read that those are called “crash bars.” I can only recall seeing them at subways, where I believe they’re mandatory. I always thought they were for ease when carrying clunky loads or baby carriage-type things, rather than having to go through the turnstiles. But now I can’t remember if they push in for the person entering the platform or not. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/16 "2013-01-26T05:12:22Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Never thought of that. Just recently I read that those are called “crash bars.” I can only recall seeing them at subways, where I believe they’re mandatory. I always thought they were for ease when carrying clunky loads or baby carriage-type things, rather than having to go through the turnstiles. 😕 Most doors in most public buildings (meaning, any buildings, even private, where large numbers of people might be, like schools, churches, supermarkets, auditoriums, etc) have had crash bars for as long as I can remember (like, at least as far back as early 1960’s). Although I didn’t understand until sometime later why doors had them. They’re neither new nor uncommon. ETA: And, I’ve always heard them called crash bars or panic bars. ---
**Author:** ![RadicalPi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/radicalpi/32/9806_2.png) [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/17 "2013-01-26T10:41:35Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Homes in my state have exterior doors that swing in. The only thing holding them in place is the door lock. Thats why its so easy for a burglar to kick in a door. I’ve thought about switching my door out. Wouldn’t that just make it easier to take the door off the hinges? ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/18 "2013-01-26T12:21:03Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > Imagine a huge mass of panicky people in a smoky building with fire alarms going off trying to get out the door. If a door opened in, and the mass of people was pushing against it, that would be a Bad Thing. Outward-opening doors and panic hardware mean that a mass of people pushing and trying to get out the door will open it, without anyone having to operate a door handle or do anything. Rather than people getting trampled or crushed against a closed door, they get out safely. Unfortunately you still have the problem of those up front being knocked over by the press of those behind. During the nightclub fire in Rhode Island a few years ago, someone was pushed down by the people behind. They then became an obstacle that tripped other people as they tried to get out. Soon there were five or six people in the doorway and then a pile. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/19 "2013-01-28T00:30:25Z")
340 more died in Brazil today trying to get out of the single door of a burning night club. Last time I was there, many years ago, some of the doors in the main building at MIT are (were) revolving doors (between swinging doors) and have (had) signs over them: NOT an ACCREDITED EGRESS. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312/20 "2013-01-28T18:12:40Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > For those interested in a little history, most of these building and fire codes were changed after [the Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoanut_grove_fire). In the US, perhaps, but the danger and the solution had been made clear in earlier disasters, such as the [Grue Church fire in 1822.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grue_Church_fire) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-there-laws-about-whether-doors-should-push-on-exiting-public-buildings/648312.md?page=2)