That is where the problem comes, Sobottka said, because the areas that must be closed off often are offices. Office doors that open onto protected passageways either must be on a magnetic-open system that will automatically close the doors during a fire or must remain closed when unoccupied. Installing the magnetic-open systems in campus buildings is costly and will take a long time to accomplish, Sobottka said. The solution for now, in most cases, is to keep the doors closed. Unfortunately, the people in those offices often have good reasons for keeping the doors open, Sobottka said.
Some faculty maintain that closing their doors makes students feel unwelcome.
Others find opening doors is the only way to ventilate their offices. If it's a lab, don't leave the door open at all. Hazardous materials in labs pose too great a threat during a fire, Sobottka said. The state fire marshal says if it's an office, you can keep the door open as long as you are in it. But close the door any time you leave your office, including during a quick trip down the hall to talk to a colleague.