Trip to the Hardware Store

While at the hardware store the other day, I noticed the condition of this means of egress door.

It is blocked with a display case. As you can see from the photo, the panic hardware is not accessible and can barely be seen.

A closer look shows that even if the exit was accessible and did not have the display case in front of it, it is locked.]

There is a slide bolt that is padlocked on the exit door. So, even if it wasn't blocked, you would never get out.

A firefighter that might be lost and was following a wall looking for doors and windows could come across this door and still not be able to escape.

These are the things that we need to bring to the attention of the business owners. Typically, once they understand why the door needs to be accessible and not bolted, they remedy the issue.

Be diligent and do inspections. These issues could mean the difference in people getting out of a fire or emergency. It could also mean the difference in how a Mayday is resolved.

Stay safe and be careful out there.

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