What is the maximum width for a group doorway?

What is the maximum width for a group doorway?

• A. 10 feet
• B. 15 feet
• C. 20 feet
• D. 25 feet

Answer: (C)

Group doorways are openings that must handle a certain amount of occupant flow in an emergency, so the size is kept within a limit that works with standard door hardware and safe egress performance. The maximum width of twenty feet is chosen because a doorway this wide can still be operated reliably with typical panic hardware and closers, while not being so wide that crowding, smoke movement, or the need for more complex hardware becomes unsafe or impractical. Narrower openings (ten or fifteen feet) would restrict egress too much, causing bottlenecks, while a width of twenty-five feet would exceed the allowable limit and complicate hardware and safety considerations.

Group doorways are openings that must handle a certain amount of occupant flow in an emergency, so the size is kept within a limit that works with standard door hardware and safe egress performance. The maximum width of twenty feet is chosen because a doorway this wide can still be operated reliably with typical panic hardware and closers, while not being so wide that crowding, smoke movement, or the need for more complex hardware becomes unsafe or impractical. Narrower openings (ten or fifteen feet) would restrict egress too much, causing bottlenecks, while a width of twenty-five feet would exceed the allowable limit and complicate hardware and safety considerations.