Have you ever noticed that school buildings have numerically labeled exterior doors? The reason for this school door numbering system goes beyond the everyday use of entrances and exits. In fact, these labels are put in place for emergency purposes.
The rapid response of emergency workers is imperative in the event of a school emergency such as a fire evacuation. Uniformly numbered doors provide easier communication for emergency respondents, and labeling according to a standardized code can tell respondents a lot about the building layout even if they’ve never been on site before.
Here is a brief explanation of how exterior school doors should be labeled, and the reasoning behind the code.
School Exterior Door Numbers Must Comply with Fire Code Requirements
According to Section 505 of the International Fire Code (IFC), all exterior identification labels, numbers, and letters must be:
- Arabic numbers and/or alphabetical letters
- Visible from the closest road & driveway
- Contrasting in color to its background
- Reflective material & visible in dark or smoky conditions
- Larger than 4 in. and 1/2 in. wide
- Regularly maintained
Additionally, the Center for Safe Schools states that the main entrance should always be labeled as door number “1.” Subsequent doors should be numbered in sequential order. The exterior door numbering system should be sequential in ‘clockwise’ order if viewing the buildings from above. Here’s another way to think of it: if you are looking at door #5, then door #6 should be the next exit door to the left. Position the numbers at the top-right of the door when facing from the exterior.
Doors that allow you to enter and exit the building should also be labeled from the interior. These numbers should match the number on the outside of the door. Similarly, they should be reflective for smoky or low light conditions and contrast their background. However, interior door numbers should be placed on the lower-hinge corner so that they are visible in smoky conditions.
School Door Numbering System Tips and Guidelines
Following standardized practices for a school door numbering system can help first responders act quickly during a crisis. Here are some tips and guidelines that will give responders valuable information about your school layout, without the need to see a floorplan or tour the building:
- Apply the IFC guidelines to your building address identification. If the building cannot be viewed from a public road, add signage to maintain address identification that is visible from the street.
- To add identification to a bank of multiple doors, either center the number within the bank, or put the same number at both ends of the bank.
- For a completely enclosed courtyard, label doors as C-1, C-2, etc. Similarly, roof access doors should be R-1, R-2, etc.
- Doors that do not allow access to the building should not be numbered. They should be clearly labeled “NO ACCESS,” and may have additional identification as “storage only” or “fire sprinkler room,” etc.
- Exterior doors that are no longer functional must be labeled with “THIS DOOR IS BLOCKED” per IFC 504.2. Doors that require fire department access may not be blocked.
- For roll-up or other garage doors, labeling should be consistent with the other exterior doors. Place the number between halfway up and three quarters of the way up the door.
- For large meeting spaces or classrooms with multiple windows, add identification that is visible to the exterior. The room number should be placed on the first window and the last window to show that these windows all access the same space.
- Any questions or concerns about exterior identification should be addressed with your local fire department or the municipality that maintains jurisdiction.
Clear and IFC compliant labeling throughout the building improves emergency response time and expedites the evacuation process. For this reason, it’s important for both the emergency response team as well as the students and staff.
Your Exterior Door Numbering System As Part of Your EOP
Every school should have a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (school EOP) that outlines responsible personnel and response actions for various emergencies. An EOP requires strong foundational information like an easy-to-read, clear map of the facility and the exit points.
By following the standard exterior door numbering system, you create a robust foundation that can support your EOP, maintain compliance with local and federal fire codes, and sustain a safe learning environment.
Safety mapping may not seem like a difficult step, but in order to support an Emergency Operations Plan, there are many factors. Creating a clear and comprehensive map requires knowing which information is critical, which information adds clutter, how to intuitively present the information, what icons are easily recognizable and more.
When a clear evacuation map is part of the foundation of your emergency planning, make sure your safety mapping is left to the professionals.
Get Started with Safety Mapping for Emergencies
The safety of the students and staff at your school should always be a top priority. While safe and clear fire evacuation maps are an essential component of any emergency action plan, there are many more steps to take when preparing your school for emergency situations. Numbering your doors according to IFC code gets you one step closer to being fully prepared for an emergency.
At Building Maps, our creators have experience with many kinds of safety maps, such as fire evacuation, security maps, floor plans, campus maps and more. We ensure our maps are compliant with the local codes including the standard school door numbering system, and can guide you on best practices for your unique school building.
You can browse our samples of school safety and map design here. If you’d like additional information or you’re ready to get started with a quote, please use our online form to get started today.
About the Author: Tony Jones, CFPS, is the owner and founder of Building Maps. He is a fire evacuation mapping and code compliance expert. Tony holds his work to the highest standard because he knows “it’s not just a map, it’s about saving lives.”
