Milwaukee implements Wisconsin Commercial Building Code and IBC chapter 10 egress rules. Exit doors must unlock from inside without keys or special knowledge. Panic hardware is required in assembly and educational uses over occupant thresholds.
Through Ch. 200 adoption of the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) and IBC chapter 10, Milwaukee requires that exit doors swing in the direction of egress travel, unlock from the egress side without keys, tools, or special knowledge, and be readily operable with a single motion. Panic hardware (or fire exit hardware on rated doors) is required in assembly and educational occupancies above 50 occupants. Residential apartments may use deadbolts that retract with the latch in one motion. Electromagnetic locks must release on fire alarm, power loss, or push-to-exit. Milwaukee Fire Department inspects during pre-fire planning, and DNS catches issues during occupancy and complaint inspections.
Locked or chained exits during occupancy: $500-$2,500 per door plus immediate closure order. Repeat or fatal-incident violations may bring criminal referral under Wis. Stat. 941.37.
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