Why do most businesses have doors that open to the outside, while residences and apartments have doors opening to the inside?

Question

Why do most businesses have doors that open to the outside, while residences and apartments have doors opening to the inside?

In: 1

Answer 1

It’s security vs fire codes. Normally, a door that opens out would have hinge pins on the outside – securing them is expensive, fancy hidden hinges are expensive. So, homes have doors that open in – easier and cheaper. In a commercial building, a mass of people trying to get away from a fire might create too mush pressure for the person in front to open a door that opens inward, so… they open out.