ALICE training and doors

[TheCommish]

My town municipal office building just completed ALICE training and the requests are coming in to put various door holding devices on the office doors.

Of course as a code official brought up the requirement for a door to be operable in one motion.

We are currently using 2009 IBC.

1008.1.9.2 Hardware height. Door handles, pulls, latches, locks and other operating devices shall be installed 34 inches (864 mm) minimum and 48 inches (1219 mm) maximum above the finished floor. Locks used only for security purposes and not used for normal operation are permitted at any height.

1008.1.9.5 Unlatching. The unlatching of any door or leaf shall not require more than one operation.

Exceptions:

1. Places of detention or restraint.

2. Where manually operated bolt locks are permitted by Section 1008.1.9.4.

3. Doors with automatic flush bolts as permitted by Section 1008.1.9.3, Exception 3.

4. Doors from individual dwelling units and sleeping units of Group R occupancies as permitted

by Section 1008.1.9.3, Exception 4.

Would you consider a latching device for security allowed?

I know we have debated the use of 3rd party locking devices on doors, especially those on classrooms a non-permitted device as it violates the operable in one motion.

I consider these private office doors in a B use group where normal operations there are not more than 5 people in an office.

All the doors whether they swing in or out of the office can be locked by a button on the interior of the handle set.

Thanks for the discussion in advance.

 

[LGreene]

I'll be very interested to see the responses to this question. As you know, it's an important issue for me. And for the record, the National Association of State Fire Marshals agrees with me.

http://www.firemarshals.org/files/NASFM%20Classroom%20Door%20Security%2020150322.pdf

 

[mtlogcabin]

The only way to comply is to change the hardware out with what you find in a motel room where the deadbolt unlatches with the lever. Any side glass that could be breach and allow someone outside to reach in and unlatch the door would have to be changed. Finally all locks must be keyed so one master will open any door within the building. This key(s) need to be located in the knox bock and additional keys placed in a predetermined secure location that can be handed out to law enforcement so they can conduct there search through the building.

Is it expensive? Yes. It can be budgeted and implemented over time.

We currently help the FD do annual fire inspections on 9 schools within the city limits. We open the knox box in 5 of these schools and only one key is needed to access all rooms within the school

 

[steveray]

That's a big negative here Woodchuck!

 

[Builder Bob]

That section is for I-3 applications for a loophole. I do foresee expensive locking hardware (electromagnet) being allowed in schools with a special security lock down being allowed when the security system is installed, but I then see the Fire Alarm over riding this system... still a stalemate.

My wife is a school teacher and I have basically told her to do what she felt she had to do ,,,,,,, the school district cannot allow implementation of a device that is directly in contrast of what the codes currently require.

in matter of fact, the codes have been at the opposite end of the spectrum of what security experts have been striving for years.

i.e. keyed dead bolts, bars over windows, etc.

 

[tmurray]

That section is for I-3 applications for a loophole. I do foresee expensive locking hardware (electromagnet) being allowed in schools with a special security lock down being allowed when the security system is installed, but I then see the Fire Alarm over riding this system... still a stalemate.My wife is a school teacher and I have basically told her to do what she felt she had to do ,,,,,,, the school district cannot allow implementation of a device that is directly in contrast of what the codes currently require.

in matter of fact, the codes have been at the opposite end of the spectrum of what security experts have been striving for years.

i.e. keyed dead bolts, bars over windows, etc.

If installed correctly, the fire alarm should release all the electromagnetic locks in the school regardless. Honestly, this is the only way that is code compliant that I can see for securing doors, while still allowing access if being used maliciously. The problem is when people figure out all they have to do is pop a pull station to drop the electromagnetic locks.

The main problem with security "experts" is that they are only looking at occupant security from one side. How many more people die in fires every year than in shootings? I couldn't imagine how much that number is going to grow when you start allowing people to delay egress with these devices.

 

[LGreene]

I would not use electromagnetic locks to lock classroom doors because of the requirement for them to unlock on fire alarm and the fact that when they unlock to allow egress, they will also allow ingress. If a school wants electrified locks that can be locked simultaneously from a remote location, there are many locks that can be used that are electromechanical and allow free egress at all times - even when the outside lever is locked. These locks are not required to unlock upon fire alarm because they allow free egress. There are lots of products available that fall somewhere between classroom barricade devices and electrified locks as far as cost. In some cases, the schools that have considered using classroom barricade devices already had locks on the doors and only needed to re-key them and institute a policy about carrying keys, keys for substitutes, etc. The glazing adjacent to the hardware does need to be addressed, but there are inexpensive films that can be used to increase the time it takes to get through the glass.

The classroom barricade devices are not listed, not labeled for use on a fire door, and do not meet the current model code requirements for egress or accessibility. They can be deployed by unauthorized people who are looking to secure the classroom to commit a crime, and many of devices will not allow authorized access by emergency responders or school staff. I know the original question was about offices in a B occupancy, but when someone mentioned classrooms I had to weigh in. Even on an office I'd prefer to see a lockable door rather than a device that someone has to find and install when they hear that an intruder is in the building. It would be much faster to close and lock the door, turn off the light, silence their phone, and get under the desk if they can't safely escape.

 

[JBI]

So it's possible to have a real time conversation with people all across the globe, but there's no cost effective method to secure a (class) room but still allow ready egress?

Can we say 'priorities'?

 

[LGreene]

So it's possible to have a real time conversation with people all across the globe, but there's no cost effective method to secure a (class) room but still allow ready egress? Can we say 'priorities'?

There are many ways to secure a classroom, but when someone comes along with a device they built in their garage, that has not been tested or listed, it is going to be more attractive pricewise than a standard lockset. In addition, these devices can often be installed by maintenance staff, while locksets may require an installer who is familiar with door hardware. Hardware is complicated - if it was easy it would be called "easyware." You get what you pay for.