Exit doors that are normally kept open can be:

• A. Blocked open to provide ventilation
• B. Monitored in all occupancy types
• C. Equipped with ordinary fusible-link operated devices to close them in order to stop the spread of smoke
• D. Equipped with door closers and automatic hold-open devices

Answer: (D)

Exit doors that are normally kept open need a way to stay open for ventilation and easy egress, but also a reliable method to close automatically to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Using door closers together with automatic hold-open devices achieves this balance: the hold-open keeps the door in the open position during normal use, and when a fire alarm, heat sensor, or power loss occurs, the hold-open releases and the door closer swings the door shut, sealing the opening. This setup ensures ventilated access while still providing automatic containment in a fire.

Blocking doors open would defeat automatic closing when fire occurs. Merely monitoring occupancy types doesn’t address the need for automatic closure. Relying on fusible links alone can close a door, but without a proper closer-and-hold-open system, you lose the controlled hold-open capability and coordination with fire detection. The combination of door closers and automatic hold-open devices is the effective, standard solution for doors that are normally open.