• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

2015 IBC 1010.1.9.3

W

wmott

SAWHORSE
Joined
Jun 24, 2019
Messages
22
Location
Massachusetts
2015 IBC 1010.1.9.3, item 2
In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant load of 300 or less, Groups B, F, M and S, and in places of religious worship, the main door or doors are permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking devices from the egress side provided:

The way I readd this- in Use M, a dead bolt cylinder lock is not allowed to have a thumb turn .
It is required to be keyed from the interior (and the exterior)

Am I reading this wrong?

Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I don't see that it prohibits a thumb turn - it states you may use a key-operated locking device (which you normally would NOT be allowed to use). You can choose a thumb-turn OR a key-operated locking device.
 
No you are not. The section clearly states what is permitted not what you may choose.

"the main door or doors are permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking devices from the egress side provided:"

If you have a door with a lever handle latching device with a thumb turn locking device that anyone could use to lock the door at any time, then that would be a violation of
1010.1.9.6 Unlatching.
The unlatching of any door or leaf shall not require more than one operation.
Unless that lever handle latching device will release that deadbolt at the same time. Example hotel room door locks.
 
Last edited:
That section of the code allows key-operated deadbolts, but you must meet all of the criteria listed:

2.1. The locking device is readily distinguishable
as locked.
2.2. A readily visible durable sign is posted on
the egress side on or adjacent to the door
stating: THIS DOOR TO REMAIN
UNLOCKED WHEN THIS SPACE IS
OCCUPIED. The sign shall be in letters 1
inch (25 mm) high on a contrasting background.
2.3. The use of the key-operated locking
device is revokable by the building official
for due cause.
Click to expand...

Also keep in mind that if any of your doors are pairs, the typical top and bottom bolts with the flippers recessed into the edges of the door stiles are NOT allowed. Top and bottom bolts on the inactive leaf must be automatic.

3. Where egress doors are used in pairs, approved
automatic flush bolts shall be permitted to be
used, provided that the door leaf having the automatic
flush bolts does not have a doorknob or
surface-mounted hardware.
Click to expand...
 
I believe that is from 2015 IBC 1010.1.9.3, If it is, that's the section allowing a key on the interior.

In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant load of 300 or less, Groups B, F, M and S, and in places of religious worship, the main door or doors are permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking devices from the egress side provided:
 
The code probably requires a key-operated locking device instead of a thumb turn so that only an authorized person can lock the doors during unoccupied hours.
 
The FD hates double keys, but that is what the code says.....The struggle is real.....Or you meet one of the other requirements or exceptions....
 
Also, these are push pull doors. So if they have an interior thumb turn lock, it will only take 1 unlatching effort to open.
Maybe that's the path to compliance in this case.
But if it were a lever latched door????
 
Code and life safety will always trump an accessibility standard exception. I do not believe that exception would apply to all doors that need to be locked

404.2 Manual Doors.
Manual doors and doorways, and manual gates, including ticket gates, shall comply with Section 404.2.

EXCEPTION: Doors, doorways, and gates designed to be operated only by security personnel shall not be required to comply with Sections 404.2.6, 404.2.7, and 404.2.8.
 
wmott said:
Also, these are push pull doors. So if they have an interior thumb turn lock, it will only take 1 unlatching effort to open.
Maybe that's the path to compliance in this case.
But if it were a lever latched door????
Click to expand...

But standard thumb turns are prohibited under A117.1 and the ADA, because they require tight grasping, pinching, and twisting of the wrist to operate. There are "thumb" turns with elongated handles to address this, but somehow it seems neither architects nor storefront vendors are aware of them.
 
Yankee Chronicler said:
But standard thumb turns are prohibited under A117.1 and the ADA, because they require tight grasping, pinching, and twisting of the wrist to operate. There are "thumb" turns with elongated handles to address this, but somehow it seems neither architects nor storefront vendors are aware of them.
Click to expand...
Which is why keys are allowed as they are not prohibited or discussed by ADA I believe...
 
Mr. Inspector said:
Don't forget the exception in ANSI A117.1:
Locks used only for security purposes and not used for normal operation are permitted in any location.

I don't know when a lock is not used for security purposes.
Click to expand...

That refers to things like roll-down security grilles that only get locked when there's nobody inside.
 
steveray said:
Which is why keys are allowed as they are not prohibited or discussed by ADA I believe...
Click to expand...

2010 ADAS:

309.4 Operation. Operable parts shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping,
pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N)
maximum.
EXCEPTION: Gas pump nozzles shall not be required to provide operable parts that have an
activating force of 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum

404.2.7 Door and Gate Hardware. Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operable parts on doors
and gates shall comply with 309.4. Operable parts of such hardware shall be 34 inches (865 mm)
minimum and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground. Where sliding doors
are in the fully open position, operating hardware shall be exposed and usable from both sides.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Existing locks shall be permitted in any location at existing glazed doors
without stiles, existing overhead rolling doors or grilles, and similar existing doors or grilles that
are designed with locks that are activated only at the top or bottom rail.
2. Access gates in barrier walls and fences protecting pools, spas, and hot tubs shall be
permitted to have operable parts of the release of latch on self-latching devices at 54 inches
(1370 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground provided the self-latching devices are not
also self-locking devices and operated by means of a key, electronic opener, or integral
combination lock.
Click to expand...
 
Mr. Inspector said:
So what does any location mean? Anywhere in the building or anywhere on the door?
Click to expand...

Where did you find that? I just did a search of that phrase in the 2009 and 2017 editions of A117.1 and came up with no hits. Is that from a state-specific amendment?

I found this in the 2010 ADAS:

404.2.7 Door and Gate Hardware. Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operable parts on doors
and gates shall comply with 309.4. Operable parts of such hardware shall be 34 inches (865 mm)
minimum and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground. Where sliding doors
are in the fully open position, operating hardware shall be exposed and usable from both sides.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Existing locks shall be permitted in any location at existing glazed doors
without stiles, existing overhead rolling doors or grilles, and similar existing doors or grilles that
are designed with locks that are activated only at the top or bottom rail.
2. Access gates in barrier walls and fences protecting pools, spas, and hot tubs shall be
permitted to have operable parts of the release of latch on self-latching devices at 54 inches
(1370 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground provided the self-latching devices are not
also self-locking devices and operated by means of a key, electronic opener, or integral
combination lock.
Click to expand...

xx
 
Yankee Chronicler said:
Where did you find that? I just did a search of that phrase in the 2009 and 2017 editions of A117.1 and came up with no hits. Is that from a state-specific amendment?

xx
Click to expand...

Mr. Inspector said:
Locks used only for security purposes and not used for normal operation are permitted in any location.
Click to expand...


It was an exception in the ICC/ANSI A117.1 2003. Was changed a little in the 2009. They took out the "any location" but it seems to mean the same thing.

ICC/ANSI A117.1 2009
404.2.6 Door Hardware. Handles, pulls, latches,
locks, and other operable parts on accessible doors
shall have a shape that is easy to grasp with one
hand and does not require tight grasping, pinching,
or twisting of the wrist to operate. Operable parts of
such hardware shall be 34 inches (865 mm) minimum
and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the
floor. Where sliding doors are in the fully open position,
operating hardware shall be exposed and
usable from both sides.
EXCEPTION: Locks used only for security purposes
and not used for normal operation shall not be
be required to comply with Section 404.2.6.
 
Mr. Inspector said:
It was an exception in the ICC/ANSI A117.1 2003. Was changed a little in the 2009. They took out the "any location" but it seems to mean the same thing.

ICC/ANSI A117.1 2009
404.2.6 Door Hardware. Handles, pulls, latches,
locks, and other operable parts on accessible doors
shall have a shape that is easy to grasp with one
hand and does not require tight grasping, pinching,
or twisting of the wrist to operate. Operable parts of
such hardware shall be 34 inches (865 mm) minimum
and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the
floor. Where sliding doors are in the fully open position,
operating hardware shall be exposed and
usable from both sides.
EXCEPTION: Locks used only for security purposes
and not used for normal operation shall not be
be required to comply with Section 404.2.6.
Click to expand...

Hmmm ... And that exception is not in the 2017 A117.1. Even so, A117.1 is a referenced standard under the IBC, so if the IBC has a stronger prohibition, the A117.1 exception can't override the IBC. IBC 2021:

1010.2.2 Hardware. Door handles, pulls, latches, locks
and other operating devices on doors required to be
accessible by Chapter 11 shall not require tight grasping,
tight pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate.
Click to expand...

No exceptions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top