Michigan Building Code Section 1010 prohibits keyed locks on required egress doors in assembly, business, and educational occupancies. Panic hardware mandatory for occupancies over 50 people.
Michigan adopts International Building Code Section 1010 governing egress door locking hardware. Required exit doors must open from the egress side without key, tool, or special knowledge. Assembly (A), educational (E), and high-hazard (H) occupancies serving over 50 occupants require panic hardware (push bars). Limited delayed-egress locks (15 to 30 second delay) are permitted in healthcare and detention but require fire alarm tie-ins. Residential single-family homes are exempt; multifamily R-2 buildings must provide single-action unlocking. Detroit BSEED rigorously enforces panic hardware in clubs, churches, and schools after past tragedies. DTW airport areas follow federal TSA standards on top of state code.
Padlocked or chained exit doors during occupancy is a misdemeanor under MCL 29.5b, with up to 90 days jail and $5,000 fines. Building officials issue immediate stop-occupancy orders pending remediation.
See how Dearborn's door locking hardware rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.