What should be ensured about exit doors in relation to fire codes?

Exit doors are critical safety features in any building, especially in emergency situations such as a fire. Ensuring that exit doors remain unobstructed is essential to allow for the safe and quick evacuation of occupants. Fire codes mandate that exit routes must be accessible and clear of any obstacles that could hinder evacuation. This means that nothing should block the doors or the path to them, be it furniture, equipment, or any kind of debris. Keeping these doors unobstructed helps ensure that people can exit the building quickly and safely during an emergency, reducing the risk of injury or fatalities.

While locking doors, having automatic mechanisms, or the ability to open doors only from the outside may be considered for security and operational purposes, these do not align with the primary function of exit doors during emergencies, which is to provide an immediate and clear escape route for individuals in a building. Therefore, maintaining unobstructed access to exit doors is paramount in adhering to fire safety regulations.