Final answer:
Sliding exit doors must have panic hardware or fire exit hardware that can be operated easily without keys or specialized knowledge and should be clearly labeled for quick evacuation during emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is that sliding exit doors must have hardware that allows for a sliding action that is easy to operate and does not require a key, a tool, or specialized knowledge to open.
This type of hardware is often referred to as 'panic hardware' or 'fire exit hardware' and includes a latch release mechanism that can be activated by a single motion, such as pushing a bar or pressing a pad.
The design ensures that in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or other threat, occupants can quickly and intuitively exit the building without delay.
According to building codes and safety standards, such as those outlined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the operating hardware on sliding doors should also be clearly labeled with signage indicating the direction of the movement required to open the door.
This ensures even those unfamiliar with the building can evacuate without confusion during an emergency situation.
The correct answer is option door operating hardware. In French, exit doors that are sliding are known as portes de sortie coulissantes. To operate these doors, they typically have a poignée (handle) or a plaque de poussée (push plate) to open them.