Delayed-Egress Locking Systems

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Delayed-Egress Locking Systems

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 2012 Delayed-Egress Locking Systems. 7.2.1.6.1.1  shows: Approved listed delayed-egress locking systems shall be permitted to be installed on door assemblies serving low and ordinary hazard contents in buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 9.6 or an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7 and where permitted in Chapters 11 through 43, provided that all of the following criteria are met:

  1. The door leaves shall unlock in the direction of egress upon actuation of one of the following:
    1. Approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7
    2. Not more than one heat detector of an approved, supervised automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 9.6
    3. Not more than two smoke detectors of an approved, supervised automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 9.6
  2. The door leaves shall unlock in the direction of egress upon loss of power controlling the lock or locking mechanism.
  3. *An irreversible process shall release the lock in the direction of egress within 15 seconds, or 30 seconds where approved by the authority having jurisdiction, upon application of a force to the release device required in 7.2.1.5.10 under all of the following conditions:
    1. The force shall not be required to exceed 15 lbf (67N).
    2. The force shall not be required to be continuously applied for more than 3 seconds.
    3. The initiation of the release process shall activate an audible signal in the vicinity of the door opening.
    4. Once the lock has been released by the application of force to the releasing device, relocking shall be by manual means only.
  4. *A readily visible, durable sign in letters not less than 1 in. (25 mm) high and not less than 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) in stroke width on a contrasting background that reads as follows shall be located on the door leaf adjacent to the release device in the direction of egress: PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 (or 30) seconds.

 

Facilities may receive approval for 30 second release egress doors from the Authority Having Jurisdiction.  For the facility to receive 30 second release approval, the facility must submit in writing to the Section for Long-Term Regulation (SLCR), a letter detailing the risk(s) to the residents and/or hardship.  It will be the SLCR’s final decision on the approval of the extension and will be reflected in a letter to the facility.  It will be the facility’s responsibility to retain the SLCR approval letter for future reference.

 

Failure to obtain an approval letter from the SLCR will place the facility in noncompliance with Federal participation requirements and in the event of a recertification survey or federal monitoring survey for life safety code, result in a citation.

 

The facility letter detailing the risk(s) to the residents and/or hardship and facility layout indicating affected doors, can be submitted to be Scott.Wiley@health.mo.gov