Dogged panic device on fire exit hardware

[Sifu]

A double door is installed in a fire barrier. The door must be self-closing and latching "while closed" per '21 IBC 716.2.6.2. Proposed design indicates the door will be dogged for push/pull operation during times of use. The door is not on a hold-open, the spec only indicates that the electrified hardware is disabled on loss of power enabling the latching mechanism. Am I missing something or is this just a poorly written spec?

 

[Sifu]

Maybe I should mention...
The door is the interior door for a vestibule at the rear of a stage. I assume is is a vestibule for air and sound, which is why it isn't on a hold open, and why they wish to dog it while in use because of the noise a slamming crash-bar would make.

I can't figure out why the wall the door is in needs to be rated, but that is the way they designed it.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I think the use of the term "dogged" is a poor choice, since the difference between panic hardware and fire exit hardware is that fire exit hardware can't be "dogged" open. As long as the hardware allows for positive latching under fire/smoke conditions, I think it's acceptable. I would ask to see it tested during the C of O inspection, or before.

 

[Sifu]

The spec says "electrified fire exit hardware", and the notes say they will be "electronically dogged".

Looking further, the doors that actually do separate the stage from the dressing rooms also say they will be "electronically retracted for push/pull but on loss of power the electrified hardware will be disabled.

So I guess the big question is if it is acceptable to have no latching as long as the electronic dogging is disabled upon fire alarm? I think it would be but they don't tell me that in the spec. All they say is that it will happen upon loss of power.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Good point. Yes, positive latching should be restored upon either loss of power or activation of an alarm. If the specs and/or wiring diagrams don't clearly call for this, I would ask for clarification or revision.

 

[steveray]

I think you would have to have the detector within 5ish feet of both sides of the door....

 

[LGreene]

NFPA 80 allows fire exit hardware to be dogged (latch held retracted) electrically - here is the section:

6.4.4.3.3 Latching arrangements that do not provide positive latching in the normal mode shall be permitted to be used provided that, in a fire emergency, the door becomes positively latched by means of an automatic fail-safe device that is activated by an automatic fire detector. (See Section 4.7.)

 

[Sifu]

NFPA 80 allows fire exit hardware to be dogged (latch held retracted) electrically - here is the section:

6.4.4.3.3 Latching arrangements that do not provide positive latching in the normal mode shall be permitted to be used provided that, in a fire emergency, the door becomes positively latched by means of an automatic fail-safe device that is activated by an automatic fire detector. (See Section 4.7.)

Much thanks. That is my comment. Multiple doors do not include mention of the fail-safe which I assume is an oversight in their specifications. Should be an easy fix.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

The fail safe should be activated by either automatic fire detection, activation of any manual alarm, or loss of electric power.

 

[Sifu]

The fail safe should be activated by either automatic fire detection, activation of any manual alarm, or loss of electric power.

That is what I normally see, but in this case the specification only speaks to loss of power. I think it is possible that an alarm would automatically cut power but I am not sure enough to run with it. Every spec I can recall specifies the three conditions mentioned, this only specifies the one. I would feel better if the speled it out. Call it plan review for dummies, but I'm not proud.

 

[Sifu]

Also, I don't review the alarm systems other than where they cross paths with building requirements. Met with the fire authority about the project and it didn't get mentioned, so I figured I will just in case.