1 Del. Admin. Code § 706 § 6.0
Automatic Door Closing Devices Required On All Existing and New Apartment Buildings
Operative Text
6.1 All living unit doors shall be required to be provided with self closing devices that will have the force to bring the door to the fully closed position upon being released after opening. Exception: Doors leading directly to the exterior. 6.2 Such doors as required in §6.1 shall be provided with a positive latching device that will cause the door to remain in the closed, latched position. 6.3 Such doors as required in §6.1 shall be a minimum of solid core construction, with only the minimum “peep-hole” opening therein; or in the case for new construction shall be in compliance with the appropriate specification of the State Fire Prevention Regulations in effect at the time of construction. 6.4 The State Fire Marshal, upon finding that the living unit doors do not meet the minimum solid core construction, as specified in §6.3 shall be authorized to write an order for the replacement of such doors, and will have a compliance date that is the same as the order for the State Fire Prevention Commission for compliance in providing the automatic door closing devices 6.5 Effective December 17, 1997, the owner of any complex, building or buildings shall have on file with the Office of State Fire Marshal, a corrective plan of action detailing the owner’s timetable for complying with the provisions of these Regulations 6.6 Any violations of this Regulation shall be considered as violations of the State Fire Prevention Regulations and the State Fire Marshal will initiate such actions as specified in 16 Del.C. Ch. 66 for such violations. 6.7 Effective July 1, 2002, all new and existing apartment buildings, multi-family dwellings, etc., shall comply with the provisions of these Regulations. Note: This Regulation applies only to the individual living unit entrance doors that open directly to a common interior hallway, stairway, or foyer. It is not to be applied to individual living unit doors within the living unit (such as bedroom doors), nor is it to be applied to the individual living unit doors that lead directly outside (such as a balcony or other exterior exit). The required “positive latching device” as found in §6.2 of this Regulation is defined to be the standard type door set with knob, bolt, and keeper that holds a door in a closed position. The required self closing device shall be of a type and number and an arrangement acceptable to the State Fire Marshal, whether a door closure or spring hinges or other like mechanisms are utilized. Both the self closing devices and positive latching requirements are a performance standard and a functional test will determine that the door and mechanisms are in compliance with this Regulation. Additionally, when requiring solid core construction, existing installations with a 1-3/4 inch thick solid bonded wood core door are considered satisfactory. The terminology in this Regulation is consistent with and may in fact replicate the generally accepted definition and identification for such doors as to be found in nationally recognized codes, standards and specifications, including building codes, and door manufacturing industries.
Under 1 Del. Admin. Code 706 § 6.0, apartment building entrance doors that open onto common interior hallways, stairways, or foyers must be equipped with self-closing devices strong enough to pull the door fully shut on their own, plus a positive latching mechanism (such as a standard knob-and-bolt set) to keep it closed. These doors must also meet minimum solid-core construction standards, with only a small peephole permitted. The rule applies to both existing and new apartment buildings, with full compliance required as of July 1, 2002, and does not extend to doors within individual units or doors leading directly to the exterior.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to 1 Del. Admin. Code 706 § 6.0 generally maintain self-closing and positive-latching hardware on all living unit entrance doors that open to common interior spaces, and ensure those doors meet solid-core construction requirements. Compliant operators typically keep a corrective plan of action on file with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, as required since December 17, 1997, documenting their timetable for meeting these standards. Because the State Fire Marshal may issue replacement orders for doors that fail the solid-core requirement and may initiate enforcement actions under 16 Del. C. Ch. 66, routine inspection and maintenance of door hardware and construction are standard practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 1 Del. Admin. Code 706 § 6.0, tenants in apartment buildings have an interest in knowing that their unit's entrance door to a common hallway, stairway, or foyer should be self-closing, positively latching, and of solid-core construction — standards tied to fire safety. If a door appears to lack these features, tenants may report concerns to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which has authority to inspect and issue compliance orders. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help residents understand what options may be available when a landlord has not met the requirements of this regulation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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