2009 IBC bolt locks 1008.1.9.4

[cda]

1008.1.9.4 Manually Operated Edge- or Surface-mounted Bolts. An exception has been added for cases where these devices are allowed on the inactive leaf of a pair of doors in Group B, F, or S occupancies which removes limits on the occupant load of the room served by these doors when complete building sprinkler protection is provided.

any thoughts?????

 

[texasbo]

Re: 2009 IBC bolt locks 1008.1.9.4

1008.1.9.4 Manually Operated Edge- or Surface-mounted Bolts. An exception has been added for cases where these devices are allowed on the inactive leaf of a pair of doors in Group B, F, or S occupancies which removes limits on the occupant load of the room served by these doors when complete building sprinkler protection is provided. any thoughts?????

I don't like it, but since exception 4 says the inactive leaf can't be used to meet egress width requirements, and can't have door knobs, etc., I guess it's not too bad.

Exception 3 is limited to less than 50 occupants, so by default the inactive leaf would not be needed for exit width.

As it stands now, the flush bolt prohibitions of the code are routinely ignored. I've been all over the country and have seen malls and other large retail stores with virtually every set of exit doors consisting of a pair with one having edge mounted flush bolts.

 

[LGreene]

Re: 2009 IBC bolt locks 1008.1.9.4

As it stands now, the flush bolt prohibitions of the code are routinely ignored. I've been all over the country and have seen malls and other large retail stores with virtually every set of exit doors consisting of a pair with one having edge mounted flush bolts.

I agree that the flush bolt prohibitions are ignored. I'm not making excuses for not being code-compliant, but the reason they're ignored is that the alternative would be automatic flush bolts and a coordinator, or panic hardware. I'm a big fan of panic hardware (I work for Von Duprin) but there are some cases where it's not practical or not possible to use it. Automatic flush bolts and coordinators are very problematic and it's almost impossible to keep them working properly. Given the reduced maintenance budgets and the lack of awareness of what this hardware is supposed to do, I avoid using them whenever I can. I was happy to see the change in the IBC regarding flush bolts because I think it really helps from a functional standpoint, but doesn't jeopardize life safety because of the defined exceptions where they can be used.