Doors that open inward are easily blocked by occupants, thereby creating a fire or safety hazard if staff is unable to enter the room. If a staff member enters or is pulled into a room and becomes involved in a physical altercation, additional staff may be unable to enter the room to assist due to the door swing being blocked. When securing the doors, staff must reach into the room to pull an inward-swinging door closed, automatically placing staff off balance. It is more difficult to determine if an inward swinging door is securely closed. Several juvenile halls have been unable to provide a portable bunk for allowing a second youth to sleep in a single occupancy room when the facility was crowded, since the portable beds can be used as a wedge between a built in bunk or cement slab and the door.
Visual observation is limited if an occupant is behind the door when a staff member enters.
Even with backup staff in the hallway, staff can be ambushed. The above problems are compounded in rooms with two occupants. One occupant could be leaning against the door, holding a second occupant hostage or choking him, with staff unable to open the door. When the door swings out, the lock bears the entire weight of pressure against the door. Doors should also open in the direction of travel.