Swipe card building access

[Mac]

I have an application for the installation of card access systems in a couple of college dorms. Sounds simple, I know, and of course, every exit door will function for egress at all times. What should I look for or look out for regarding this setup?

Mac

 

[Doorman]

Onr thing that is very common on a campus is an integrated card system; that is to say, the access card can be used as an ID, used to purchase meals or books, ride the bus... This becomes quite a bit larger than an access control system in a hurry.

Existing facilities? Are there preparations in the frames and doors to support this? Safe School is almost always controlled with an access control system as well, so direct communication with a central control center is required.

Floor access within a building can also come into play, and will usually involve fire rated doors.

 

[fatboy]

I wouldn't see a building code issue with it as long as the doors continue to function for egress.

 

[LGreene]

I have an application for the installation of card access systems in a couple of college dorms. Sounds simple, I know, and of course, every exit door will function for egress at all times. What should I look for or look out for regarding this setup? Mac

Hi Mac -

Are you planning to reuse existing doors and hardware? If you are, and you'd like to post some photos, I can advise you on possible hardware to use. From a code standpoint, you've got the free egress covered, so it's basically a question of whether to use electrified panic hardware (electric latch retraction or electrified trim), an electric lock, or an electric strike. Electromagnetic locks would be my last choice.

The other thing you will need to figure out is how to get the wire into the doors if the electrified hardware is door-mounted (vs. an electric strike). If you post some photos I can provide more info.

 

[cda]

what type of device are they planning to use to keep the doors locked?

what on the egress side are they planning on using to release the door??

will the locks fail safe or fail secure??

how is the fire, police and ems going to get into the building????

 

[Doorman]

Ooops! Sorry fatboy. I responded more to a question of application.

Here is a link for a free publication titled Code Inspector's Handbook for understanding Electric Locking Hardware. This is a pretty good generalization of door hardware you are likely to encounter, here and in future projects.

 

[LGreene]

how is the fire, police and ems going to get into the building????

Hi Charles -

I'm glad you asked that question. Assuming that these are exterior doors and up until now they have had mechanical locks/panics, emergency responders would have had to use a key from the knox box, right? Adding access control shouldn't change that - in most cases someone can still enter with a key, and/or a card can be put into the knox box. In a few cases I have had fire departments ask for fail safe locks so they can enter upon fire alarm without a key or card, but the lack of security that this scenario creates (fire alarm or power failure allows free access to the building) is usually a huge problem.

The 2007 edition of NFPA 72 created a lot of confusion about the requirement to unlock access control doors upon fire alarm, but it was clarified in the 2010 edition (http://idighardware.com/2010/12/nfpa-72-on-access-control-2/).

As far as I know, Mac's doors would not need to automatically unlock to allow access to the building, as long as the knox box contained a key to unlock the doors. Of course, the hardware would have to allow free egress at all times. Anybody have a different perspective on that?

 

[Mac]

Geez it sounded so simple! I'm composing a list of questions - keep 'em coming!

 

[cda]

with the info provided no more than likely they do not need to unlock with the fire alarm

My bos went to requireing a Knox key swithc or other knox device to relase the mag locks, strike plates

Have had some issues with cards, in that some businesses have built in experation to thier cards and do not tell the emergency services that, so the cards are no good after awhile.

I prefer if the door has key access, just provide the key.

Oh mac what happens when the building or system loses building electricty, kind of back to fail safe or secure how will students get into the building, does the system have battery back up, or are they stuck?

 

[LGreene]

Oh mac what happens when the building or system loses building electricty, kind of back to fail safe or secure how will students get into the building, does the system have battery back up, or are they stuck?

That's a good question for Mac to add to his list. Typically I would use fail secure hardware, which means that when power fails, the door is locked on the secure side (outside). The access control system should have some sort of back-up power or the only way to enter through the access control doors during a power failure will be with a key. Most hardware that would be used in this application can't be left unlocked temporarily during a power outage, unless it's panic hardware and has the ability to be dogged mechanically (usually with a key).

 

[steveray]

Are there any issues with cutting an electric strike in to an existing fire rated door?

 

[Doorman]

"Are there any issues with cutting an electric strike in to an existing fire rated door? "

Some electric strikes can be done with field modification on a fire rated opening. I have seen this abused by numerous contractors. I would be curious: While this is most certainly an issue of the installer following the procedure manual for the fabrication of rated frames and doors, is this usually an issue for a code official? That is to ask, if an installer labels it, would you ask for documentation regarding the appropriateness of such a field modification? If you ask for it, can the installer be compelled to produce such documantation?:-?

 

[Papio Bldg Dept]

As far as I know, Mac's doors would not need to automatically unlock to allow access to the building, as long as the knox box contained a key to unlock the doors. Of course, the hardware would have to allow free egress at all times. Anybody have a different perspective on that?

We amended our codes to require a knox box for all new comm construction and CofOs. It is working well so far.

Add Section 106.1.4 Knox-Box location. Indicate location and provision for installation of Knox-Box per local Fire Department access.

 

[cda]

Knox also has a toggle switch that can be used to drop the locks

Picture shown, but not much info;;;;

http://www.knoxbox.com/store/Knox-Vault-4100-Series.cfm

 

[Mac]

Lots to consider here. Most doors are exterior entry/exit doors. Several are interior passage doors, possibly rated assemblies. NYS uses 2007 NFPA 72, 6.16.7 applies... (paraphrased) - "batteries shall not be used to maintain the locked condition..."

BUT - I'm just getting started here.

 

[LGreene]

Lots to consider here. Most doors are exterior entry/exit doors. Several are interior passage doors, possibly rated assemblies. NYS uses 2007 NFPA 72, 6.16.7 applies... (paraphrased) - "batteries shall not be used to maintain the locked condition..."BUT - I'm just getting started here.

In the case I described, the batteries wouldn't be used to maintain the locked condition since the products are fail secure and don't need power to keep them locked. The battery would be used to keep the card readers live.

 

[LGreene]

Are there any issues with cutting an electric strike in to an existing fire rated door?

NFPA 80 limits field modifications to 1" diameter holes (except cylinder holes which can be larger), and 3/4" undercutting of the door. As Doorman said, there are electric strikes that don't require the frame to be modified, but many electric strikes do require a large cutout in the frame face, and it is beyond what NFPA 80 allows to be done in the field.

Here's the section from NFPA 80-2010:

4.1.3.2 For job site preparation of surface-applied hardware, function holes for mortise locks, and holes for labeled viewers, a maximum 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) wood and composite door undercutting, and protection plates (see 6.4.5) shall be permitted.

4.1.3.3 Surface-applied hardware shall be applied to the door or frame without removing material other than drilling round holes to accommodate cylinders, spindles, similar operational elements, and through-bolts in doors.

4.1.3.4 The holes described in 4.1.3.3 shall not be permitted to exceed a diameter of 1 in. (25.4 mm), with the exception of cylinders.

 

[cda]

I have an application for the installation of card access systems in a couple of college dorms. Sounds simple, I know, and of course, every exit door will function for egress at all times. What should I look for or look out for regarding this setup?Mac

What do you mean you have an "application"?????

 

[steveray]

Thank You very much Lori! Only because I know I have done this in my younger days with no real guidance, and if I can help someone in the future to avoid a problem, I can point them in the right direction....

 

[Mac]

What doyou mean, what do you mean?

I have an building permit application for L2 Alts proposing to install doors and about 30 of these card reader gizmos.

 

[cda]

we require a seperate plan submital and permit for any security going on doors.

As part of that submital they give us a plan showing what doors they want to lock down, cut sheets on the equipment they want to use, and any other stuff we should know, like when the locks might be active or not active, etc.

This in a way resolves some of the questions you are asking, we know what doors will be locked down, how the building will be accessed and egressed, is the equipment approved for the use they are trying, etc.

 

[steveray]

I am guessing cda means "people apply for permits for that stuff where you are?".....That was my first thought....

What doyou mean, what do you mean?I have an building permit application for L2 Alts proposing to install doors and about 30 of these card reader gizmos.

 

[Mac]

Actually I am considering getting a separate application for each building. But thats a NYS thing...

 

[LGreene]

What do you mean you have an "application"?????

I was thinking "application" like "I have a situation where I need to add card readers..." I probably gave MAC TMI since he's looking at it from a building permit application standpoint, but hopefully the product info was helpful to some.

Another thing to watch out for as an inspector is wire raceways through existing fire-rated doors. There is a tool (Perfect Raceway) that is apparently acceptable to use even though NFPA 80 doesn't address it, but I have also seen installers use a giant drill bit and I guess it would be up to the AHJ whether to accept that or not.