Can fire exit doors be left permanently open?

[Guest Ziyad]

My building has 2 stories. Lower story has 2 regular door in the front and the back, and 2 emergency exits on left and right wings. Upper story has 2 emergency exits on left and right wings. We use emergency exit as daily entrances (regular doors) because the because the doors are closer to parking area. Moreover, we block them up with a brick to keep them open. Is this allowed? If it is not, what standard that prohibit?

Thank you,

Ziyad

[Tom Sutton]

Any final exit door required for escape in the event of a fire in the premises is classed as a fire exit door and if they are not regularly used on a day by day basis they must be indicated with a "Fire Exit" sign. Most final exit doors do not require to be fire resisting therefore do not require to be kept closed and if the doors you speak of are not fire resisting doors then there is no reason why they cannot be held open. The only reason why they are kept closed is for security reasons.

[Guest Joe]

If the fire exit door is held open to the elements would the push-bar eventually be suscepitable to failing when needed. What regulations are there for the manufacturing of emergency exit Push-Bars.

  Also to consider the door been closed after a rain strom creating a slip hazard from dripping water. One to ponder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tom Sutton]

There is no indication that the door is fitted with push bars and there is BS for them. Also is it not unlikely the door would be held open in inclement weather.

[Guest Guest Andrew]

My apologies, but I think that this question may appear a little stupid but....

During a fire evacuation, is there any legal reason why a final fire exit door cannot be (or remain) latched open (hook and eye)?

Extra information: I add 'remain' in the question, because the doors are sometimes latched (hook and eye) open for extra ventilation.

The doors are not fire-resisting doors.

They are fitted with push bars.

[AnthonyB]

If not fire resisting external doors for the purpose of protecting an adjacent external escape stair or similar there isn't.