Doors Wedged Open

Q: Please help me with an ongoing problem I am having throughout the hospital. Staff often likes to prop doors open with wood wedges they bring from home. What are the rules regarding propping fire doors or even non-fire-rated doors open? What are the NFPA regulations or The Joint Commission expectations? Thank you.

A: The premise is very basic: You cannot block or wedge a fire-rated door open, and you cannot block or wedge a corridor door open. Section 5.2.13.3 of NFPA 80-2010 specifically says you cannot block or wedge a fire-rated door open. And section 19.3.6.3.10 of the 2012 Life Safety Code says you cannot block or wedge a corridor door open. The Joint Commission would expect compliance with the NFPA codes and standards so their surveyors would likely cite your organization if they saw the doors blocked or wedged open.