Lock and Life Safety Code Considerations for Campuses

Many universities are actively looking for ways to increase security for their facilities.

When considering security methods, campuses must be familiar with the code requirements that are in place to protect students, staff members and other occupants. Sometimes in the rush to find feasible lockdown methods, requirements for egress (evacuation) and fire protection are overlooked.

With the range of products available today, however, it isn’t necessary to compromise life safety in the interest of security.

During design and construction, most buildings must conform to a building code adopted by the project’s jurisdiction. The building code will include requirements designed to ensure the safe egress of building occupants and the compartmentalization of the building to prevent the spread of fire. Accessibility standards are also included in the building code to provide access and egress for all, including individuals with disabilities.

When construction is complete, most jurisdictions enforce a fire code to confirm that the safety features established by the building code are kept in code-compliant condition and continue to provide protection over time. The codes may vary from one jurisdiction to the next, but the requirements for door openings are fairly consistent.

Egress and Life Safety

Doors that are part of a means of egress are required by code to be readily openable from the egress side without the use of a key, tool, or special knowledge or effort.

This means that a building occupant can approach an opening and exit freely. Many retrofit security devices, some of which are designed to barricade a door during an active shooter emergency, must be released using a method that is not acceptable by code or may not be manageable by children or persons with disabilities. Devices that are installed on the egress side of the door may also prevent access by first responders.

The releasing mechanism used to unlatch an egress door must not require more than one operation.

That is why most doors (with the exception of residential dwelling units and sleeping rooms) have only one piece of locking/latching hardware — when a building occupant turns the lever handle or pushes the touchpad of the panic hardware, the door unlatches and allows egress. Most of the retrofit security devices used for emergency lockdown require a second releasing operation in addition to the lockset.

Panic hardware is a latching device that is released by a crossbar or touchpad, to allow immediate egress.