AskCodeMan

In a Mercantile Occupancy( grocery store) there have been questions raised regarding traffic doors and thier compliance with the minimum door width requirement of 32" (per leaf).
In most groceries there are traffic doors located between sales and backroom, or sales and meat prep, or produce preparation areas.
If these traffic doors(pivot type swinging doors that swing in both directions) do not have locking mechanisms or any retaining devices to inhibit the doors operation, are these doors required to meet the minimum width per leaf to comply with egress requirements.
The issue is using a 5'-0" cased opening with a pair of 2'-6" wide swinging traffic doors.
Does this condition meet the intent of the code?
and where in the codes would this be referenced?
Thank You in advance

tonyde+ wrote:If these traffic doors(pivot type swinging doors that swing in both directions) do not have locking mechanisms or any retaining devices to inhibit the doors operation, are these doors required to meet the minimum width per leaf to comply with egress requirements.

Yes, each leaf is to meet the minimum egress width required, or 32" minimum egress width if the calculated egress width is less than 32".

The issue is using a 5'-0" cased opening with a pair of 2'-6" wide swinging traffic doors.
Does this condition meet the intent of the code?

No, and ...

and where in the codes would this be referenced?

From the IBC: (bold and underlining are mine)
- 1008.1.1 Size of doors. The minimum width of each door opening shall be sufficient for the occupant load thereof and shall provide a clear width of not less than 32 inches (813 mm). Clear openings of doorways with swinging doors shall be measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees (1.57 rad). Where this section requires a minimum clear width of 32 inches (813 mm) and a door opening includes two door leaves without a mullion, one leaf shall provide a clear opening width of 32 inches (813 mm). The maximum width of a swinging door leaf shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) nominal. Means of egress doors in a Group I-2 occupancy used for the movement of beds shall provide a clear width not less than 41.5 inches (1054 mm). The height of doors shall not be less than 80 inches (2032 mm).

Consider that one door leaf may be in the process of being opened the other way, or that one door leaf may be blocked by whatever, the remaining door leaf must meet the minimum requirements for egress.