Well, the local fire marshall is the authority having local jurisdiction (ALJ), and can change or ignore most anything in the fire code. There is probably a good reason, based upon design or construction. I am not a fire marshall, but it seems logical to me to use the fire doors to contain the smoke, fire, and heat in the danger area, and not close the fire doors in non-danger areas, to allow easier evacuation. Our City buildings go through a rigorous annual test, including the fire doors. It is interesting to note that usually something will not work right every year, and require minor repair and retesting.

I cannot imagine the nightmare for fire fighters caused by a fire taking hold in a hospital. Around here, fire alarms without follow-up calls to 911 confirming a fire get a single engine response. But the local hospital gets three engines, one truck, one rescue, and one BC every time.