Posted By clairel I was asked a question the other idea and to be honest I didn't have an answer. So I wondered what others thoughts were. It's accepted that final emergency exit doors should open outwards in the dierction of travel. So, considering that much of the time the final exit will in fact be the front entrance, why do most front entrance doors open inwards, even on new builds?

Posted By clairel No I'm not confuding the two. What I'm saying is that for mnay premises the entrance is the only way in and out, even in emergency. So why doesn't the same standard apply (ie, the same risks of an inward door apply)?

Posted By Crim I hate to say it but the fire risk assessment should provide your answer? FSRRO states final exit doors should normally open in the direction of travel. Your assessment coupled with fire drills and practice evacuation should lead you to decide on direction of travel. If during a fire drill there are difficulties with the door opening in then alter the direction of opening. Other considerations are degree of risk and number of occupants i.e. low risk and small number of occupants = no problem, whearas high risk and large number of people = potential for trouble. In buildings with only one entrance/exit they are possibly small units with small travel distance to the main and only exit. I am surprised however that you say even new builds have only one entrance/exit?

Posted By SBH Low risks Low occupancy levels Low travel distances Time taken to alert and evacuate is measured in seconds Therefore in my opinion one exit is generally OK

Posted By GT Clairel, It may be that if the entrance doors are going to be used to exit the premises it will be at a time of passive use, and not active emergency where panic ensues and people pressure are applied. Regards GT

Posted By D. Hilton The individual(s) responsible for the design either, Considered the opening out in the direction of escape was not reasonably practicable. or Did not correctly interpret or apply the requirements as set out in TGDB/ AD B.

Posted By A Campbell Not sure as to complience with any building ruules, although is mainly uniformal for this country as not with some other countries as standard... possible historic reasoning may include... 1. Wind [Slamming shut or against external reveals causing damage] 2. Security [Not so easy to gemmy off at the hinges] 3. Opening into the face of an unsuspecting caller about to knock the door [Though this could be seen as an advantage if they are bailiffs]

Posted By grim72 I think the reasons giving would make sense - the risk of someone opening a door into your face is more likely than a problem of opening a door during a fire exit? Another one to throw into the mix might be DDA regs? I'm fairly sure that a door opening inwards would be more beneficial to someone in a wheelchair?

Posted By John Packer Just had a thought. If the building was originally built as a domestic dwelling it would have an inward opening door (visions of village post-offices spring to mind) and if they have seperated from the domestic part of the building it would explain why there was only one door. In fact my local post office fitted that bill (until they closed it).

Posted By Simon Marshall maybe its me..but most sites i visit, which include modern type offices up and down the uk have main doors which actually swing both ways...