Yikes
Gold Member
LOL, just missed Lori's response before I posted.
-
Welcome to the new and improved Building Code Forum. We appreciate you being here and hope that you are getting the information that you need concerning all codes of the building trades. This is a free forum to the public due to the generosity of the Sawhorses, Corporate Supporters and Supporters who have upgraded their accounts. If you would like to have improved access to the forum please upgrade to Sawhorse by first logging in then clicking here: Upgrades
Is a deadbolt NOT a "latch"?
- Thread starter Michael.L
- Start date
steveray
SAWHORSE
Technically....The deadbolt is not allowed...
1008.1.9.3 Locks and latches. Locks and latches shall be
permitted to prevent operation of doors where any of the following
exists:
1. Places of detention or restraint.
2. In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant
load of 300 or less, Groups B, F, M and S, and in places
of religious worship, the main exterior door or doors
are permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking
devices from the egress side provided:
2.1. The locking device is readily distinguishable as
locked;
2.2. A readily visible durable sign is posted on the
egress side on or adjacent to the door stating:
THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED
WHEN BUILDING IS OCCUPIED. The sign
shall be in letters 1 inch (25 mm) high on a contrasting
background; and
2.3. The use of the key-operated locking device is
revokable by the building official for due cause.
3. Where egress doors are used in pairs, approved automatic
flush bolts shall be permitted to be used, provided
that the door leaf having the automatic flush bolts
has no doorknob or surface-mounted hardware.
4. Doors from individual dwelling or sleeping units of
Group R occupancies having an occupant load of 10 or
less are permitted to be equipped with a night latch,
dead bolt or security chain, provided such devices are
openable from the inside without the use of a key or
tool.
5. Fire doors after the minimum elevated temperature has
disabled the unlatching mechanism in accordance with
listed fire door test procedures.
1008.1.9.3 Locks and latches. Locks and latches shall be
permitted to prevent operation of doors where any of the following
exists:
1. Places of detention or restraint.
2. In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant
load of 300 or less, Groups B, F, M and S, and in places
of religious worship, the main exterior door or doors
are permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking
devices from the egress side provided:
2.1. The locking device is readily distinguishable as
locked;
2.2. A readily visible durable sign is posted on the
egress side on or adjacent to the door stating:
THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED
WHEN BUILDING IS OCCUPIED. The sign
shall be in letters 1 inch (25 mm) high on a contrasting
background; and
2.3. The use of the key-operated locking device is
revokable by the building official for due cause.
3. Where egress doors are used in pairs, approved automatic
flush bolts shall be permitted to be used, provided
that the door leaf having the automatic flush bolts
has no doorknob or surface-mounted hardware.
4. Doors from individual dwelling or sleeping units of
Group R occupancies having an occupant load of 10 or
less are permitted to be equipped with a night latch,
dead bolt or security chain, provided such devices are
openable from the inside without the use of a key or
tool.
5. Fire doors after the minimum elevated temperature has
disabled the unlatching mechanism in accordance with
listed fire door test procedures.
ADAguy
Registered User
No mention of restrooms?
Doors equipped with both latching hardware and deadbolts must be openable with a single effort.
Doors equipped with both latching hardware and deadbolts must be openable with a single effort.
Michael.L
Registered User
I have never seen a single-occupancy restroom that did not have a lock or a locking latch. How else is the entry door secured for privacy? Even water closet stalls have locks or latches on their doors.
Michael.L
Registered User
My intention is to have a deadbolt, but no latching hardware.
steveray
SAWHORSE
A privacy set that unlocks when you hit the lever.....
Michael.L
Registered User
That's still a lock and a latch. It seems that we're getting wrapped up in semantics now.
steveray
SAWHORSE
One motion to egress...
1008.1.9.5 Unlatching. The unlatching of any door or leaf
shall not require more than one operation.
No...We are getting wrapped up in code....
1008.1.9.5 Unlatching. The unlatching of any door or leaf
shall not require more than one operation.
No...We are getting wrapped up in code....
Michael.L
Registered User
That code does not say one motion to egress. It says one motion to unlatch a door. Opening the door would require an additional motion to push or pull the door open. (And technically, an additional additional motion is required to egress after opening the door.)
Last edited:
1008.1.9.3 does not prohibit deadbolts. It prohibits making doors in the means of egress inoperable, such as locking main entry doors so that a key would be needed for egress. There is nothing wrong with a deadbolt on a toilet room door, provided it is readily released in accordance with 1008.1.9 (IBC-2012) which requires "Except as specifically permitted...readily openable from the egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort." and that the unlatching of the door "not require more than one operation." Michael.L is correct in pointing out that the one operation refers to unlatching, not opening. If it were otherwise every door would have panic hardware.
Back to the original question. It seems to me the crux is the word "latch" maybe has a slightly different meaning in the accessibility codes than in IBC chapter 10.
I think you would have a hard time arguing that a deadbolt is not a latch in the context of IBC Chapter 10. For reference refer to IBC-2012 paragraph 716.5.9.1 which requires ..."side hinged fire doors...shall be provided with an active latch bolt that will secure the door when it is closed." So, it seems there is a distinction, in IBC, between a "latch" and an "active latch bolt". It would be up to whoever is enforcing the applicable accessibility code (the courts via lawsuit) to decide if in that context "latch" means something other than it does in IBC.
I think you would have a hard time arguing that a deadbolt is not a latch in the context of IBC Chapter 10. For reference refer to IBC-2012 paragraph 716.5.9.1 which requires ..."side hinged fire doors...shall be provided with an active latch bolt that will secure the door when it is closed." So, it seems there is a distinction, in IBC, between a "latch" and an "active latch bolt". It would be up to whoever is enforcing the applicable accessibility code (the courts via lawsuit) to decide if in that context "latch" means something other than it does in IBC.
mtlogcabin
SAWHORSE
self latching hardware, deadbolt, slide latch they are all door hardware and have to operate within the requirements of the code
1008.1.9.1 Hardware.
Door handles, pulls, latches, locks and other operating devices on doors required to be accessible by Chapter 11 shall not require tight grasping, tight pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate.
A typical deadbolt will not meet this requirement so be careful and spec a specific brand and model that will
http://idighardware.com/2010/08/accessible-thumbturns/
Category: Accessibility,Locks & Keys — Lori @ 11:53 am Comments (4)
At least once a month someone asks me whether it’s ok to use a deadbolt with a thumbturn on a door that is required to be accessible. It took some digging to get a definitive answer, because the accessibility standards don’t specify a certain dimension that would be acceptable for the thumbturn. The ADA guidelines and ICC A117.1 both state that hardware has to be operable without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, but that still leaves a lot up to interpretation.
Here’s the section from the 2009 edition of ICC A117.1:
404.2.6 Door Hardware. Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operable parts on accessible doors shall have a shape that is easy to grasp with one hand and does not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate. Operable parts of such hardware shall be 34 inches (865 mm) minimum and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the floor. Where sliding doors are in the fully open position, operating hardware shall be exposed and usable from both sides. EXCEPTION: Locks used only for security purposes and not used for normal operation shall not be required to comply with Section 404.2.6.
In my opinion, there are thumbturns that can be operated by someone with a disability, as long as the hardware is installed correctly (incorrect installation can cause binding and make the thumbturn difficult to turn). I requested a staff opinion from the ICC, and I was told that if you can operate the thumbturn with the side of your palm, without grasping it with your fingers, it would be considered accessible. I have also heard of code officials using the tip of a pencil to test the accessible operation of a thumbturn.
Many thumbturns are now designed so that they pivot from the end rather than the center, requiring less leverage to operate. The lock would also need to be mounted within the allowable range for operable hardware – typically 34 inches to 48 inches above the floor, and it would have to be the only lock on the door to meet the requirement that the door unlatch with one operation. If the door was fire-rated, a deadbolt would not provide the necessary positive latching, so a lockset or fire exit hardware with an active latchbolt would be required for that application.
Here are some thumbturns that are likely to be accessible if installed correctly:
Here are some thumbturns which may not be accessible (test operation with the side of palm):
1008.1.9.1 Hardware.
Door handles, pulls, latches, locks and other operating devices on doors required to be accessible by Chapter 11 shall not require tight grasping, tight pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate.
A typical deadbolt will not meet this requirement so be careful and spec a specific brand and model that will
http://idighardware.com/2010/08/accessible-thumbturns/
Category: Accessibility,Locks & Keys — Lori @ 11:53 am Comments (4)
At least once a month someone asks me whether it’s ok to use a deadbolt with a thumbturn on a door that is required to be accessible. It took some digging to get a definitive answer, because the accessibility standards don’t specify a certain dimension that would be acceptable for the thumbturn. The ADA guidelines and ICC A117.1 both state that hardware has to be operable without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, but that still leaves a lot up to interpretation.
Here’s the section from the 2009 edition of ICC A117.1:
404.2.6 Door Hardware. Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operable parts on accessible doors shall have a shape that is easy to grasp with one hand and does not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate. Operable parts of such hardware shall be 34 inches (865 mm) minimum and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the floor. Where sliding doors are in the fully open position, operating hardware shall be exposed and usable from both sides. EXCEPTION: Locks used only for security purposes and not used for normal operation shall not be required to comply with Section 404.2.6.
In my opinion, there are thumbturns that can be operated by someone with a disability, as long as the hardware is installed correctly (incorrect installation can cause binding and make the thumbturn difficult to turn). I requested a staff opinion from the ICC, and I was told that if you can operate the thumbturn with the side of your palm, without grasping it with your fingers, it would be considered accessible. I have also heard of code officials using the tip of a pencil to test the accessible operation of a thumbturn.
Many thumbturns are now designed so that they pivot from the end rather than the center, requiring less leverage to operate. The lock would also need to be mounted within the allowable range for operable hardware – typically 34 inches to 48 inches above the floor, and it would have to be the only lock on the door to meet the requirement that the door unlatch with one operation. If the door was fire-rated, a deadbolt would not provide the necessary positive latching, so a lockset or fire exit hardware with an active latchbolt would be required for that application.
Here are some thumbturns that are likely to be accessible if installed correctly:
Here are some thumbturns which may not be accessible (test operation with the side of palm):
mark handler
SAWHORSE
Common Lock Functions
ANSI F and E
http://amdoor.com/public_html/functions.htm
Two types of latches ANSI/BHMA A156.13
A lockset may incorporate a latchbolt, a deadbolt, or may integrate both into a single lockset.
Latchbolt
The latchbolt is spring-loaded, allowing the door to be closed without first retracting the bolt. In addition, the bolt may be fitted with a guardbolt, which is arranged to prevent the unwanted retraction of the latchbolt by an intruder; in this case the latchbolt is called a deadlocking latchbolt. There may be a provision on the inside handle to disable (lock) the outside handle from operating the latchbolt; this is referred to in the table below as the "inside locking mechanism". This mechanism may consist of a push button or turn button in the inside handle.
Deadbolt
A deadbolt may be projected (thrown) only once the door is in the closed position; it will resist being forcibly retracted once it is in its projected position, hence is known as a deadlock. If it is projected or retracted by a handle (rather than by a key), that handle is referred to in the table below as a "thumbturn".
ANSI F and E
http://amdoor.com/public_html/functions.htm
Two types of latches ANSI/BHMA A156.13
A lockset may incorporate a latchbolt, a deadbolt, or may integrate both into a single lockset.
Latchbolt
The latchbolt is spring-loaded, allowing the door to be closed without first retracting the bolt. In addition, the bolt may be fitted with a guardbolt, which is arranged to prevent the unwanted retraction of the latchbolt by an intruder; in this case the latchbolt is called a deadlocking latchbolt. There may be a provision on the inside handle to disable (lock) the outside handle from operating the latchbolt; this is referred to in the table below as the "inside locking mechanism". This mechanism may consist of a push button or turn button in the inside handle.
Deadbolt
A deadbolt may be projected (thrown) only once the door is in the closed position; it will resist being forcibly retracted once it is in its projected position, hence is known as a deadlock. If it is projected or retracted by a handle (rather than by a key), that handle is referred to in the table below as a "thumbturn".
ADAguy
Registered User
As you may or may not chose to see Michael, your issue is both a performance (for you to prove) and a prescriptive (specific code compliance required). Based on your choice of business location and the opinions of a number of experts on this Forum, maybe you should hire a consultant to present your concerns and justifications for alternate methods and means to the local AHJ.
Michael.L
Registered User
As I have stated in another thread, I will be hiring an architectural firm to draft the set of plans that will be submitted for approval. I also intend to have a code compliance consultant review the final design. If there is push-back from the AHJ on anything, I'll let the architect and code compliance consultant handle it.