Lockdown Magnets

[Bob Loblaw]

Hello all, I was asked if lockdown magnets like this are code compliant. You would basically have the door locked and cover the latch receiver with a magnetic strip so you can then simply remove the strip in a lockdown. We are under the 2021 IFC / IBC. I'm having trouble finding a code path for this other than 1010.2.8 item 4 with remote locking as an alternative solution to what they're attempting. What code would you use to support your answer? Thank you.

 

[walker.t]

Hello all, I was asked if lockdown magnets like this are code compliant…What code would you use to support your answer? Thank you.

I would say this is not code compliant because it would require tight pinching to grab the edge of the magnet and remove it, per 1010.2.2 Hardware.

What’s to keep a student from removing the magnet to cause the door to lock any time the student feels like being a pain in the butt?

 

[steveray]

If the door is locked but allows free egress, there is no problem…

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Not allowed.

IBC:

1010.2.2 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.

IFC:

[BE] 1010.2.2 Hardware. Door handles, pulls, latches, locks and
other operating devices on doors required to be accessible by
Chapter 11 of the International Building Code shall not require
tight grasping, tight pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate.

Also addressed by the ADAS and A1171.

Functionally, what this thing does is prevent the door from even latching, by blocking the recess in the strikeplate. I wouldn't want that on any door.

I'm having trouble finding a code path for this other than 1010.2.8 item 4 with remote locking as an alternative solution to what they're attempting.

Is this for a school? What wrong with standard classroom security locks?

 

[steveray]

Not allowed.

IBC:



IFC:



Also addressed by the ADAS and A1171.

Functionally, what this thing does is prevent the door from even latching, by blocking the recess in the strikeplate. I wouldn't want that on any door.



Is this for a school? What wrong with standard classroom security locks?

I was thinking about the latching and whether the doors were rated…but I didn’t look at the link…

 

[e hilton]

I read the brochure, this is my take. Normally the door locks from the outside every time it is closed, but you have free egress from the classroom side. You place the magnetic strip over the latch plate which prevents the door from latching because the hole for the bolt is covered, so it is free ingress and egress at all times. In an emergency you remove the magnetic strip, the door closes and locks from the outside so the perp can’t get in, but the egress function is normal.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I was thinking about the latching and whether the doors were rated…but I didn’t look at the link…

It's basically a magnetic, reusable version of putting a strip of duct tape over the strike plate to prevent the latchbolt from latching. If the door it rated, it requires positive latching, so accessibility (tight grasping and pinching) aside, this thing is absolutely not legal on rated doors.

The other thing that's questionable is that most school classroom doors open out, into the corridor. That means in a school lockdown situation, to remove this thing someone would still have to open the door, at least far enough to be able to reach around the door frame to remove the magnetic strip.