Raleigh enforces NC Building Code and NC Fire Code rules requiring single-action egress hardware on most occupied buildings. Panic hardware is required on assembly, educational, and high-occupancy doors under NCGS §143-138 adoption of IBC standards.
The NC Building Code, adopted under NCGS §143-138, mandates that egress doors in occupied buildings open with a single motion without keys, tools, or specialized knowledge. Assembly occupancies above 100, educational facilities, and certain high-hazard uses require panic or fire-exit hardware on egress doors. Multi-point locks, deadbolts requiring separate operation, and chained doors during occupancy are prohibited. Apartment dwelling unit doors may use deadbolts only when readily operable from inside without a key. Raleigh Fire Department conducts annual inspections of assembly venues and issues correction orders for noncompliant hardware. Recent amendments address school security retrofits with approved barricade-style devices.
Correction notices and civil penalties; uncorrected egress violations can trigger immediate occupancy restrictions in assembly venues.
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See how Raleigh's door locking hardware rules stack up against other locations.
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