Exit doors in Wilmington commercial and multifamily buildings must comply with the International Building Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. Deadbolts requiring keys or tools to exit are generally prohibited on egress doors.
Delaware adopts the IBC and NFPA 101 statewide; Wilmington Code Ch. 4 (Building) and Ch. 13 (Fire) implement them. Egress doors must be openable from inside without keys, tools, or special knowledge. Single-action hardware (a single motion to unlock and pull) is required on most exit doors in commercial and multifamily occupancies. Residential dwelling unit doors may use deadbolts but must still meet egress rules during a fire. Schools and assembly occupancies have stricter panic-hardware requirements. Modifications need permits and inspection.
WFD or L&I issue correction orders; non-compliant locks must be removed or replaced. Repeat violators face escalating fines.
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