Approved locking in path of egress

[hardwaredetailer]

I am working on an office building in Vancouver where there is no direct stair access within the public elevator lobby or the service elevator lobby.
This project is following NFPA101 2012 - which I interpreted to allow the elevator lobby to be electronically locked in the path of egress given a list of (~14) criteria are met (sprinklered, Fail Safe on FA or loss of power, smoke rated, two-way communication system, etc.). Ideally we want to limit access to the office floor in normal, non-emergency situations and use an electrified mortise lock (Schalge L9092 EL for example). We also would be happy to install an emergency pull station to override the lock and allow immediate egress.
The local code consultant just shared a Bulletin from the city of Vancouver (attached) that states that if we want to lock the elevator lobby doors the only option is to use electromagnetic locks. Is this true?
This seems like a weird requirement to me, and I would love some help interpreting this Bulletin & any suggestions to help us come up with a solution.

 

[e hilton]

No moving parts?

 

[hardwaredetailer]

No moving parts?

How can I maintain positive latching for fire-rating without moving parts?

 

[tmurray]

First, why would we be using NFPA 101 as a reference standard?

Second, it sounds like you need emergency access to the elevator lobby. Can you confirm?

 

[Inspector Gadget]

I am working on an office building in Vancouver where there is no direct stair access within the public elevator lobby or the service elevator lobby.
This project is following NFPA101 2012 - which I interpreted to allow the elevator lobby to be electronically locked in the path of egress given a list of (~14) criteria are met (sprinklered, Fail Safe on FA or loss of power, smoke rated, two-way communication system, etc.). Ideally we want to limit access to the office floor in normal, non-emergency situations and use an electrified mortise lock (Schalge L9092 EL for example). We also would be happy to install an emergency pull station to override the lock and allow immediate egress.
The local code consultant just shared a Bulletin from the city of Vancouver (attached) that states that if we want to lock the elevator lobby doors the only option is to use electromagnetic locks. Is this true?
This seems like a weird requirement to me, and I would love some help interpreting this Bulletin & any suggestions to help us come up with a solution.

If you mean "Vancouver, Canada," you're looking at a unique code - it's either the BC Building Code or something close to it. (I think Vancouver has its own code.) In the Canadian code, NFPA 101 is not empowered for any buildings other than stairs in assembly occupancies - check the code in force, as you may be looking to use something that isn't empowered.

Also, if you mean Vancouer, BC, You are working in an area that requires designers of part 3 buildings (and this sounds like one) to be licenced architects and or engineers within the province. This is likely their problem, not yours.