"John Keith" wrote in message
...
I need to seek some net widom on a question a friend of mine asked me
tonight.

My friend had a new boiler (hot water heat system) installed and the
installers told him that he needed to have a "mechanical door"
installed on his utility room if there are bedrooms in the basement
(and there are).

What exactly is meant by a "mechanical door"? My friend thought this
implied a door with a closer attached to it but I've never seen a
residential utility room door with a closer. The original boiler (60

It may just mean that a room with a boiler is called a 'mechanical room' and
you need a door for the room.
As was mentioned , check with the local building inspector and see what he
says as he may have to pass it on inspection.