Door opening

[joseph]

Hello All,

Stupid question but how do you know which way internal doors should open? is there a general rule?

Thanks

 

[masona]

There isn't a general rule,usually depending on your layout of the plan.If you start in the hall area all the doors open inward into the room (away from you).It's really a saftey issue and to stop people having accident by walking into the door.If you're in the room and have a door opening outward to the hall you can't see anyone on the outside and people can walk into the edge of the door where you can't the other way round.The front door always opening inward so fireman can kick it down in a emergency.While we're on this subject I always advise people not to have internal shower door that open inward , always outward because people do have very hot shower and faint out in the heat and you cannot get them out unless the door open outward.

 

[MANDATE]

You also need to consider the position of the light switches which will influence whether you have left or right hand opening.

 

[aaront]

The door should also open across the room - ie the hinges are on the side nearest a wall so that the room is completely in view when the door is open.

 

[masona]

Unless a dopey electrician put a wall switch on the wrong side