Door Hardware for Commercial Exterior Viewing Deck

[Papio Bldg Dept]

Looking for door hardware solutions for a fourth floor commercial deck/patio - concerns are egress and security. Any thoughts or recommendations are welcome.

At this point assume options for occupant loads requiring panic hardware, and not. Space may be split into two areas. Thanks.

 

[LGreene]

Hi PBD - Do you have a floor plan you can send me?

 

[Papio Bldg Dept]

Hi Lori, I don't have a floor plan that they will let me keep. the balcony/decked roof is rectangular in shape and would exceed 100 people in occupant load (would not exceed 300) unless the area was split in half. Using both the NFPA, 2000 ed and the 2006 IBC (2012 is currently accepted as an alternative as we will be adopting this code at the end of the year).

Thank you.

 

[cda]

So do they need two ways off???

 

[Papio Bldg Dept]

So do they need two ways off???

Yes, there are two doors. Everything meets code except the door hardware when they try to address security issues.

 

[cda]

call them main entrances??? and allow a lock??

or panic hardware, and allow some type of locking mechanism when the area is not occupied.

gate on the inside, closed when not in use???

 

[Papio Bldg Dept]

call them main entrances??? and allow a lock??or panic hardware, and allow some type of locking mechanism when the area is not occupied.

gate on the inside, closed when not in use???

Thanks cda. The issue with panic hardware is it would be mounted on the exterior of the door. I do like the idea of treating it like an entrance and allowing a locking mechanism. I guess as a worst case scenario it would be an egress balcony...if there is such a thing anymore.

 

[cda]

But what type of business does this serve?????

 

[Papio Bldg Dept]

But what type of business does this serve?????

It serves executive offices and conference rooms. It is a mixed occupancy floor, B & A-3.

 

[cda]

put a desk out there and call it an office??? solves panic hardware problem

 

[cda]

to me if you have soething like free swinging doors, with some type of lock on the inside, seems would be good. person would have to unlock the doors to get to the outside area, and once unlocked they would not be any other latching device.

 

[LGreene]

When I have to install panic hardware on the exterior I use the Von Duprin 88 or 55 series because there aren't many parts that will corrode. But obviously this is a security problem. Technically you need to allow egress off the deck into the building, but you would only need panic hardware if it's an Assembly occupancy - I'm not sure if it's Business based on the posts.

I have run into this situation a lot, and how it is handled depends on the AHJ. I've seen some of them require panic hardware despite the security risks. I've also seen panic hardware with an electromagnetic lock (with fire alarm release) for use when the building is not occupied. A double-cylinder deadbolt is another option - you need a key to go out and it won't automatically latch behind you.

I don't know of anything in the codes that addresses this condition specifically, so the decision is yours.

 

[Papio Bldg Dept]

I have run into this situation a lot, and how it is handled depends on the AHJ. I've seen some of them require panic hardware despite the security risks. I've also seen panic hardware with an electromagnetic lock (with fire alarm release) for use when the building is not occupied. A double-cylinder deadbolt is another option - you need a key to go out and it won't automatically latch behind you.

Great ideas Lori. I will pass these on to the designers.

 

[Coug Dad]

panic hardware, but with a lock set so the doors can be secured when the deck is not in use. provide signs stating the doors must be unlocked when in use. provide a weather proof manual pull station connected to the fire alarm if someone gets locked out on the deck and does not have a cell phone to call for help.