Exit Doors Have One Job
In an emergency, an exit door has to let people out, fast, with one push and no key. Between emergencies, it has to keep the building secure and, if it sits in a fire separation, close and latch to hold back smoke and fire. Exit doors that fail at any of that are a life-safety issue and a near-certain inspection finding.
We replace commercial exit doors across Toronto and the GTA to the Ontario Fire Code and OBC Part 3, with exit devices, labelled frames and closers that do the job every time. When an exit door can no longer be brought back to code during a commercial door repair visit in Toronto, replacement is the next step.
What a Compliant Exit Needs
- Free egress: opens from inside without keys, tools or special knowledge
- Correct swing: swings in the direction of travel where required
- Clear width: enough opening for the occupant load
- Hardware height and type: exit device at the right height and type for the door
- Self-closing and positive latching: required where the exit is in a fire separation
- No illegal locks: no chains, padlocks, slide bolts or improper dogging
Why Exit Doors Fail
Corrosion
Rear exits face weather and road salt. Bottom rails and frames rust through, the door sags and the latch stops engaging.
Impact and abuse
Exits at docks and service areas take hits from carts and equipment, bending doors, frames and rods.
Security workarounds
Owners worried about theft add chains, padlocks or slide bolts. These make the exit illegal and dangerous. There are compliant ways to secure an exit, and we will recommend them.
Exit Door Replacement Costs
| Exit type | Typical range (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Non-rated steel exit, new rim device, existing frame | $2,800 - $3,800 |
| Rated exit door with labelled frame and fire exit hardware | $3,800 - $5,500 |
| Pair of exit doors with vertical rod devices | $5,000 - $6,500 |
Your written CAD scope confirms the door, frame, devices and staging plan before work starts.
Responding to a Fire Inspection Notice
Inspection notices come with deadlines. The fastest path to closing one is a clear scope, quick replacement and clean documentation. On one Scarborough industrial property, two rusted rear exits no longer latched. The crew replaced both with insulated hollow metal doors, new Von Duprin 99 devices and labelled frames, staging the work so one exit stayed open. Both were done in a single day and the documentation went to the inspector that week.
Securing Exits the Right Way
If theft or intrusion is the reason exits were chained, there are compliant options: exit devices with no outside trim, alarmed exit devices, door position monitoring and, where permitted, delayed egress hardware tied to the fire alarm. We will discuss what is allowed for your occupancy before recommending anything.
Related Services
If only the panic hardware has failed, a commercial door push bar repair is faster and cheaper. If the frame is rusted or bent, see commercial door frame replacement. For rated stairwell and corridor assemblies, see fire-rated door installation.
