Locking or Latching

[Glennman CBO]

2006 IBC section 1008.183 and 185.

"Locks and latches shall...", and "The unlatching of any door..."

Is there any difference between locking and latching? Latching appears to be diferentiated from locking. Where unlatching is limited to one operation, does this include initially unlocking the door as well? It doesn't say that unlocking the door requires one operation, especially where a key is involved.

This point is furthered by 2003 ANSI 117.1 section 404. "Locks used only for security purposes and not used for normal operation are permitted in any location".

I would appear that "normal oeration" would be unlatching, and locking would be for "security purposes". Without assuming that the referenced standard is defining the code, I cannot say for certain that locking and latching are the same thing.

Also, if the "locks" for security purposes can be installed 2" from the floor (per the ANSI) an additional operation would be required to unlock the door so that the door can have its single operation unlatching for the rest of the day.

Any thoughts?

 

[cda]

latch= panic hardware like device?

lock= dead bolt like device?

""Where unlatching is limited to one operation, does this include initially unlocking the door as well?""" would say no unless it is one of the exceptions, like a 7-11 that can have a dead bolt on the front door

there are the doors that have a bolt and a dead bolt, and you push the handle and it unlocks both devices= one operation, but if you had to turn the dead bolt, then turn the door knob would say= two operations

once again have to look at the occupancy type, occupant load, question has a varying response.

 

[Big Mac]

I quote from that dreaded document "The Commentary" Section 10081.8.5. "The code prohibits the use of multiple locks or latching devices on a door, which would be a safety hazard in an emergency situation. The exceptions address locations where multiple locks or latching devices are acceptable." (For this section it appears that the code treats locks and latching devices almost as synonyms)

 

[peach]

R-2 apartments opening into a common corridor.. they door needs to close by itself and latch.. not lock..

maintains the interigrity of the corridor... not meant to ensure security or privacy.

 

[JBI]

The 'latch' keeps the door in the normally closed position.

The 'lock' secures the door against unwanted entry.

 

[pyrguy]

John got it.

 

[FM William Burns]

Love the way JD explained it so accurately (Checkmark)

 

[Uncle Bob]

Agree with JD,

And, I think that Big Mac should be censured for "inappropriate referencing" for quoting the Code Commentary. There are Ladies present on this thread. LOL

Uncle Bob

 

[LGreene]

Yes, John D nailed this one...a latch would be a passage set (non-locking lever or knob) or could also be a panic device or fire exit hardware. On a pair of doors you might have an inactive leaf with automatic or constant latching flush bolts which would be considered the latch for that leaf. A latch engages when the door closes. A lock could be a lockset, panic/fire exit hardware, or deadbolt, and it may or may not latch when the door closes.

Whether you have a latch or a lock, you need to be able to release it with one operation unless one of the exceptions apply (see below). That's why having a lockset with a separate deadbolt is not acceptable in most occupancies...it would require two motions - one to retract the deadbolt and one to turn the knob/lever to release the latch. With a mortise lock or an interconnected lock, most functions will release the deadbolt and latchbolt when you turn the knob/lever.

1008.1.9.5 Unlatching. The unlatching of any door or leaf shall not require more than one operation.Exceptions:

1. Places of detention or restraint.

2. Where manually operated bolt locks are permitted by Section 1008.1.9.4.

3. Doors with automatic flush bolts as permitted by Section 1008.1.9.3, Exception 3.

4. Doors from individual dwelling units and sleeping units of Group R occupancies as permitted by Section 1008.1.9.3, Exception 4.

 

[Glennman CBO]

Whether you have a latch or a lock, you need to be able to release it with one operation -L Greene

The code does not say that unlocking requires one operation. It states that unlatching requires one operation. Can one have a keyed lock (say in a 49 or under B occupancy) following the provisions of 1008.1.8.3, in addition to a latching door hardware? One unlocks the door, and then the rest of the day people use the latchset for the normal (single) operation.

In this scenario, even though they have the additional lock that requires a key, it still takes one operation to unlatch the door in normal use.

 

[mtlogcabin]

"Can one have a keyed lock (say in a 49 or under B occupancy) following the provisions of 1008.1.8.3, in addition to a latching door hardware?"

Yes

 

[Gene Boecker]

ditto - yes.

 

[Glennman CBO]

Thanks all.

 

[FM William Burns]

Ditto Yes also and we go one step further for our customers and provide the standardized sign via 2.2 if that's the route they want to go.

 

[LGreene]

In an application that follows the provisions of 1008.1.8.3 (2006), it's usually a deadbolt and once the deadbolt is retracted the doors are push/pull with no latch. I don't think I've ever seen this done with latching hardware in addition to the deadbolt, but anything's possible.