Exterior Door Swing Code
This is a pretty strong statement that will raise a few neck hairs so if you don t.
Exterior door swing code. Means of egress doors in the irc. Local codes typically don t enforce directional exterior door swing but be sure to check the codes before installation. 2018 irc section r311 3 1 restricts threshold height a required exit door in residences to 1 inches from the top of the the threshold to the floor or landing on each side of the door. It is also code that these doors swing outward.
Step down on the interior and up to two steps down to the landing on the exterior regardless of which way the door swings it can only swing over one step. There are those who recommend that an outswing door is more secure from breakins and is safer during hurricane season. This allowance provides some design flexibility. I think the building codes should be changed to favor outswing doors in all but a few instances.
For instance codes in hurricane prone areas may require exterior doors to swing in rather than out. Where exterior landings or floors serving the required egress door are not at grade they shall be provided with access to grade by means of a ramp in. Inswing exterior doors dominate the residential market but a better case can be made for an entry door that swings out rather than in. This code outlines door construction requirements the different types of hardware that should.
There are exceptions but these doors must not only pass a forced entry test but also a water infiltration. In south florida it is the norm for all exterior doors to swing outward. For all non egress exterior doors the 2003 code update allows a 7 3 4 in. When purchasing an exterior door first determine which type of door you need for a particular installation whether it s inward or outward swing.
Landing requirements for all other exterior doors. The landing or floor on the exterior side shall be not more than 7 3 4 inches 196 mm below the top of the threshold provided the door does not swing over the landing or floor.