110.26(C)(3) Personnel Doors.
Code Change Summary: Revised code language provides clarity on panic hardware.
In the past, this section required “listed panic hardware” for entrance and exit doors closer than 25 feet to equipment working space if the equipment in the room was rated 800 amps or more and contained overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices. Confusion existed as to what is considered “listed panic hardware”. Often, listed “fire exit hardware” was used instead. Is this the same? Is this ok?
In the 2020 NEC®, listed fire exit hardware was added as an option to comply with this section. Panic hardware is used for egress doors installed in non-fire-resistance rated construction whereas fire exit hardware is used for egress doors installed in a fire-resistance rated wall. As written in the 2017 NEC®, the inspector may not accept panic hardware listed and labeled as "Fire Exit Hardware" since it is not identified as "Panic Hardware." Both panic hardware and fire exit hardware are listed to UL 305. However, fire exit hardware is additionally tested to UL 10C. Basically, Fire exit hardware is the same as panic hardware but with an additional fire rating.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2017 Code Language:
110.26(C)(3) Personnel Doors. Where equipment rated 800 A or more that contains overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices is installed and there is a personnel door(s) intended for entrance to and egress from the working space less than 7.6 m (25 ft) from the nearest edge of the working space, the door(s) shall open in the direction of egress and be equipped with listed panic hardware.
2020 Code Language:
110.26(C)(3) Personnel Doors. Where equipment rated 800 amperes or more that contains overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices is installed and there is a personnel door(s) intended for entrance to and egress from the working space less than 7.6 m (25 ft) from the nearest edge of the working space, the door(s) shall open in the direction of egress and be equipped with listed panic hardware or listed fire exit hardware.
Informational Note: For information on panic hardware, see UL 305, Standard for Safety for Panic Hardware. For fire exit hardware, see UL 305, Standard for Panic Hardware, and UL 10C, Standard for Safety for Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies.