Florida Fire Code 46-02-4: Exit door blocked by equipment
Fire code 46-02-4 (Exit door blocked by equipment) is a Exits and Egress citation with 2 citations across Florida food establishments. An exit door blocked by heavy kitchen equipment creates a potentially lethal obstruction during a fire emergency.
Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records and Florida fire safety statutes.
Legal reference: 61C-1.004(9) FAC
What the Code Says
46-02-4 — Exit door blocked by equipment
An exit door is blocked or partially blocked by equipment such as fryers, coolers, shelving, or other large items preventing the door from opening fully or being reached.
— Florida Statutes & Administrative Code, DBPR Fire Safety Reporting
Fire Safety Risk
An exit door blocked by heavy kitchen equipment creates a potentially lethal obstruction during a fire emergency. Unlike loose items that might be pushed aside, heavy equipment like fryers and coolers cannot be quickly moved. This can trap staff in kitchen areas where fires are most likely to originate.
Legal Requirements
Exit doors must be completely unobstructed and able to open fully at all times. No equipment may be placed in front of, behind, or beside exit doors in a way that impedes opening or access. This includes kitchen equipment, refuse containers, and delivery items.
Legal Basis
61C-1.004(9) FAC — Means of access, including entrances, halls, and stairways, must permit unobstructed travel at all times.
— 61C-1.004(9) FAC
Most Citations by County
| County | Citations |
|---|---|
| Palm Beach County | 2 |
Recently Cited Facilities
TACO BELL #042898
Delray Beach, Palm Beach County · Cited: Jan 9, 2015
References
- Florida State Fire Marshal
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Florida DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants
- Florida Statutes Chapter 509
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Florida fire code 46-02-4?
- Florida fire code 46-02-4 (Exit door blocked by equipment) falls under the Exits and Egress category. An exit door is blocked or partially blocked by equipment such as fryers, coolers, shelving, or other large items preventing the door from opening fully or being reached.
- Why is fire code 46-02-4 (Exit door blocked by equipment) dangerous?
- An exit door blocked by heavy kitchen equipment creates a potentially lethal obstruction during a fire emergency. Unlike loose items that might be pushed aside, heavy equipment like fryers and coolers cannot be quickly moved. This can trap staff in kitchen areas where fires are most likely to originate.
- What are the requirements for fire code 46-02-4?
- Exit doors must be completely unobstructed and able to open fully at all times. No equipment may be placed in front of, behind, or beside exit doors in a way that impedes opening or access. This includes kitchen equipment, refuse containers, and delivery items.
- How common is fire code 46-02-4 in Florida?
- Fire code 46-02-4 (Exit door blocked by equipment) has been cited 2 times across Florida food establishments. In the past 12 months, there have been 0 citations.
Editorial Standards & Data Oversight
Data Source: This reference is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Florida fire safety statutes (Chapter 509, Chapter 633).
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize regulatory data and fire safety standards, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Disclaimer: Fire safety codes are reported by DBPR food inspectors to the local fire authority or State Fire Marshal for follow-up. Code descriptions reflect Florida statutes and NFPA standards current at time of publication.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org. How we collect and verify this data.