What hardware on exit doors helps keep doors open for ventilation while allowing automatic closing during a fire?

• A. Door closers and automatic hold-open devices
• B. Automatic hold-open devices only
• C. Fusible links on the door
• D. Block open to provide ventilation

Answer: (A)

Keeping exit doors open for ventilation while still ensuring automatic closing in a fire relies on having both a door closer and an automatic hold-open device. The hold-open device allows the door to stay open under normal conditions so people can pass and vent air. When a fire occurs, the hold-open is released—either by loss of power or a heat-triggered release such as a fusible link or fire-signal activation—so the door closer can swing the door closed automatically. A hold-open device alone won’t guarantee automatic closing without the closer, and blocking the door or relying only on a fusible link doesn’t provide the open-for-ventilation capability. Therefore, the combination of a door closer with an automatic hold-open device best fits the requirement.