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Walk In Coolers...........Exiting

M

Marshal Chris

Silver Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
155
Location
Long Island, NY
While gandering at Lori Greens Blog, it reminded me of a discussion had in the office with an obvious difference of opinion.

I had returned from a restaurant inspection discussing the hasps on the access door to the coolers/freezers. I was discussing how I wrote up to have the hasps removed. IMO, it's part of the means of egress.

Whats your opinion?
 
Nah would not require it to be done

Some of the factory handles also have a means to lock them

Not sure if the inside stuff would override it or not?
 
How many times have you heard of a person being killed or injured because of a hasp on a cooler

Occupancy load, less than 1
 
There are many things that I may not agree on but it the code. Here's the basis for my issuance of the "violation"

EXIT ACCESS. That portion of a means of egress system that leads from any occupied portion of a building or structure to an exit.

1028.2 Locks and latches. Egress doors shall be readily operable from the egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort, except as permitted by Section 1008.1.8.3.
 
Except many see it as a unoccupied area such as a mechanical room or storage closet.

If you have ever worked in a kitchen you know People typically spend less than a minute in there
 
I probably err too far on the side of caution, but since I never know what an AHJ will want to see, I don't specify locks that can lock anyone in anywhere. I don't specify hardware for coolers, but it's hard to know where to draw the line. If it's ok to prevent egress from a cooler, is it ok to prevent egress from a closet?

I thought you guys might like to see this old post from my blog: http://idighardware.com/2009/12/emergency-axe-last-resort-only/
 
The factory installed locks on a walk in cooler tend to allow the door to open when the "safety" override is used..... Even if the outside door is padlocked. The handle on the inside of the cooler usually is a handwheel on a threaded rod that sucures the latch to the face of the cooler, if you unscrew the knob, the latch will allow the occupant to push the door open ---- even if it is padlocked from the outside.

http://www.kasonind.com/files/6312/4904/6491/0036IR.png
 
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Only time I would consider using the Exit Access or Locks criteria of the codes for Coolers are for those being seen now where the public access them to view the cold rockies on the cans before they buy them. Sort of reminds me of the humidors I visited once :) Or if I couldn't get out once in there.

I still don't know why I always go in them on inspections, must be that old Keg salesman in me from back in the day with AB....now that was a fun job.
 
http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/locked-in-freezer.htm/printable

So why would you permit a lock on the out side that would negate the performance of the required panic bar

OSHA Standards

The following OSHA standards are designed to protect employees who are subject to cold working conditions:2

  • Standard 1910.37. A panic bar or other means of exiting from the inside of walk-in coolers and freezers must be provided to prevent workers from being trapped inside.
  • Standard 1910.132. Employers must supply and enforce the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when employees are performing potentially hazardous tasks. When unloading delivery trucks during cold months or doing work in the walk-in freezer, employees must wear warm clothing to protect themselves from frostbite.
  • Standard 1910.22(a)(2). Floors in every workroom must be clean and dry. In walk-in refrigeration units, water or food that has been spilled can freeze and become a slipping hazard.
 
The point of the OSHA reference is to show there would be a requirement similar to IBC 1028.2 and the OP 's request of removing a hasp that was not installed by the manufacturer is not unjustified. Do a google search and see how many people have been locked in walkin coolers intentionally during a robbery. Being from So Ca look up hypothermia it can happen fast when you are in a t-shirt and the temp is about 10 degrees and no one is looking for you.
 
mtlogcabin said:
The point of the OSHA reference is to show there would be a requirement similar to IBC 1028.2 and the OP 's request of removing a hasp that was not installed by the manufacturer is not unjustified. Do a google search and see how many people have been locked in walkin coolers intentionally during a robbery. Being from So Ca look up hypothermia it can happen fast when you are in a t-shirt and the temp is about 10 degrees and no one is looking for you.
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Jus' wonderin, , can't one pull the stuff off the shelves and push open a glass door?And yes, I would not allow a lock on the service door unless there was an override from inside.
 
Recently had a fire alarm installer inform me that they always install a panic button in walk in coolers. They figure when the bad guys come in......that's where the workers / public go. Makes perfect sense to me.......maybe it should be code required.
 
Yankee: Jus' wonderin, , can't one pull the stuff off the shelves and push open a glass door?
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I think the coolers we're talking about are the big walk-in coolers/freezers that you find in the back of a restaurant - not the type with glass doors.
 
Jus' wonderin, , can't one pull the stuff off the shelves and push open a glass door?And yes, I would not allow a lock on the service door unless there was an override from inside.
Click to expand...
Lori is correct, this is one for food storage in a kitchen and does not have the glass doors. The lock would be a hasp and lock not allowing access from the inside of the unit.
43426.jpg
 
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