Delayed Egress Pairs

[LGreene]

I don't see anything in the code requirements for delayed egress locks that addresses pairs of doors. If a pair of doors is equipped with a delayed egress lock on each leaf, does the initiation of the timer and lock release on one leaf have to release the other door simultaneously? Or can the delayed egress lock on each door be operated independently (ie. push one door and wait 15 seconds to unlock, push other door and again wait 15 seconds to unlock)?

Here's the delayed egress section from the 2009 IBC for reference:

1008.1.9.7 Delayed egress locks. Approved, listed, delayed egress locks shall be permitted to be installed on doors serving any occupancy except Group A, E and H occupancies in buildings that are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or an approved

automatic smoke or heat detection system installed in accordance with Section 907, provided that the doors unlock in accordance with Items 1 through 6 below. A building occupant shall not be required to pass through more than one door equipped with a delayed egress lock before entering an exit.

1. The doors unlock upon actuation of the automatic sprinkler system or automatic fire detection system.

2. The doors unlock upon loss of power controlling the lock or lock mechanism.

3. The door locks shall have the capability of being unlocked by a signal from the fire command center.

4. The initiation of an irreversible process which will release the latch in not more than 15 seconds when a force of not more than 15 pounds (67 N) is applied for 1 second to the release device. Initiation of the irreversible process shall activate an audible signal in the vicinity of the door. Once the door lock has been released by the application of force to the releasing device, relocking shall be by manual means only.

Exception: Where approved, a delay of not more than 30 seconds is permitted.

5. A sign shall be provided on the door located above and within 12 inches (305 mm) of the release device reading: PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS. DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 [30] SECONDS.

6. Emergency lighting shall be provided at the door.

 

[cda]

Normally you have a magnetic lock, correct?

If so normally I see both doors release. Is it required???

Code cannot address everything, common sense should kick in.

I would require both to release.

 

[TheCommish]

the important word in the code seems to be doors

 

[cda]

But if you look at item 4 it drops the "s"

 

[Doorman]

A very good question Lori.

FWIW, the wiring instructions included with a Von Duprin CHEXIT device detail a pair of doors as both leaves going to alarm (and subsequently releasing) when one is initiated, and the instructions include an option for each leaf operating independently... double egress maybe?

I have only had this issue once, and the functional narrative described both leaves releasing with one activation. I will certainly watch this with interest.

 

[LGreene]

FWIW, the wiring instructions included with a Von Duprin CHEXIT device detail a pair of doors as both leaves going to alarm (and subsequently releasing) when one is initiated, and the instructions include an option for each leaf operating independently... double egress maybe?

Hi Doorman -

Common sense would tell us that both leaves need to release simultaneously, and it sounds like the manufacturers have the right idea. It's just odd to me that it's not addressed in the IBC or NFPA 101. Sounds like a code change proposal is in order.

 

[cda]

Well could be looked at a few ways

If both doors have a delay and release individually, they meet code

Just like if each had regular panic hardware

If one of the delay doors is activated and opens, then someone hits the other door the person would either stand there till the door opens or go through the other one

 

[Builder Bob]

AS long as the doors drop out by FA activation, power outage,etc..... I think that each door could act independently..... However, this is a local AHJ call....since the ICC in intentionally not clear or concise.

 

[LGreene]

AS long as the doors drop out by FA activation, power outage,etc..... I think that each door could act independently..... However, this is a local AHJ call....since the ICC in intentionally not clear or concise.

Do you think it was intentionally not addressed in the IBC and NFPA 101? It's tough when it's a local AHJ call because we have no way of knowing what the AHJ will want.

 

[Builder Bob]

There are several areas of the code which are left open for interpretation - this is a prime example. Since the model code came from three seperate code groups, several items were not spelled out in black and white. For example, the adoption of the I-codes still require the local areas to mandate the height above the roof the plumbing vent must extend - in SC, 1 " would reach above the snow while 48" might not be enough for Alaska...... The adoption sample legislation states this for section 904.1 for the plumbing code.

 

[cda]

Plus the code cannot take into account every scenario

What if you had three of these doors two side by side and one ten feet away.

Would you say release the two doors together or all three since they are close to each other???

Or if code says all shall release when one is activated, then you have all the delayed in the building releasing

Yes it is hard for a contractor to work in different cities.

 

[Markl_AHC]

If only one door of the pair unlocks, the egress width has been reduced by the width of the locked door - until that door's delay cycle is initiated and completed. If a 30-second delay has been approved, the other door will not allow egress for a really long time. Seems that would be a pretty technical ruling to arrive at where required egress width could be achieved with a single door of a given width, but a pair may have been installed for the owner's convenience and delayed egress was required.

Lori - Was this part of an application question? I was trying to come up with a scenario that makes sense where someone might need to have delayed egress pairs of doors operate independently - assuming doors swinging in the same direction (not double egress). So far, I could not. Can't help curiosity sometimes! See you in LV.

 

[LGreene]

Lori - Was this part of an application question? I was trying to come up with a scenario that makes sense where someone might need to have delayed egress pairs of doors operate independently - assuming doors swinging in the same direction (not double egress). So far, I could not. Can't help curiosity sometimes! See you in LV.

Hi Mark -

It wasn't a situation where the facility wanted them to operate that way...a supplier provided 2 single delayed egress mag-locks and the installer wired them independently. The AHJ made him change them and someone asked me if there was a basis for that in the code. I couldn't find anything specific but it makes sense that they should release together and the AHJ has every right to require that.