Question about roll-up security doors over Fire Egress Routes

[Purcell169]

I'm retired LE working now as a security manager for an E-commerce distribution center. The facility we are in required a lot of upgrading due to the area (SW Charlotte, NC/Mecklenburg County). We have a work space that may have as many as 15 people working at a time. This area is served by two fire escape doors to the outside as well as two hallway routes up to the warehouse level with additional fire escapes. Of these routes, three of the four have steel roll-up security doors that are closed and locked at the close of business. During a recent fire inspection, the inspector pointed out that these roll-up doors are not in code, as during a fire, the steel will begin to melt at 1200F and the doors will fall, preventing escape. We have another security roll-up door over the interior doors for a fifth exit route, however it remains closed during the day for security, and opens via a panic button and electric motor. The argument against that one is one of power failure in a fire, which I see as valid, however, we were assured by our architect that the remaining three doors were compliant.

For the size of the area serviced, (10,000SF) it seems unreasonable that 15 people would not be able to escape prior to air temperature reaching 1200 degrees, let alone who would be alive by that time? Thoughts?

 

[steveray]

The reasoning is wrong, but locking required egress doors is a tricky thing...And you are going to want to look at IBC 1010....

 

[Purcell169]

The reasoning is wrong, but locking required egress doors is a tricky thing...And you are going to want to look at IBC 1010....

Thank you very much. To reiterate, the egress doors are open and unobstructed during work hours. The last person out closes and locks them. The first person in opens and unlocks them. The only one that remains closed is a 5th door, which I have been told by the same inspector, would be permissible if the "Exit" signage is removed. Thank you for the reference. Now I have a starting place.

-Joe

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

We have another security roll-up door over the interior doors for a fifth exit route, however it remains closed during the day for security, and opens via a panic button and electric motor. The argument against that one is one of power failure in a fire, which I see as valid, however, we were assured by our architect that the remaining three doors were compliant.

If it's closed during the day and closed at night -- it's not an egress route. Period.

 

[steveray]

If it's closed during the day and closed at night -- it's not an egress route. Period.

Until someone comes in another door….