Re: Electric Lock choice

[Nomen Nescio <nobody@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bob Worthy said:

>> > in the United States, according to NFPA101 Life Safety Code, you must
>> > have a REX motion.  Specifically it says that the door must
>> > automatically release from the egress side as a person approaches.
>
>Where does it state "automatically"? Sorta takes away from the crash bar
>design. Many muni's are requiring the push buttons with the pneumatic delays
>(mechanical)  in lieu of the electronic REX motions. Their fear is the
>failure of the electronics (relays freezing up) and the door not opening.
>Had to recently get a variance on a checkzit (sp) (VonDuprin) door release.
>It is in an immigration holding facility and needed to have a 30 second
>delay on the door. VonDuprin wouldn't touch it without a letter from the
>fire marshall.

It sounds like some of you guys may be confusing the requirements for
"delayed egress" doors and "access controlled egress doors."  The NFPA
requirements for the two are different, and the most recent requirements
are found in NFPA 5000, the NFPA building code.  Of course, thzt may not be
the building code in your particular area.  Building occupancy type affects
the requirements, too.  An airport is an assembly occupancy, and delayed
egress locks are permitted on everything but the main exit doors and the
doors leading out from the airplane into the terminal.

For delayed egress doors:

Sprinklers or full automatic fire alarm is mandatory
Loss of power to the lock must unlock the door
No REX sensor required
No exit pushbutton required
Pushing on the panic bar for 3 seconds must start an irreversible process
that unlocks the door in 15 seconds (30 seconds by special permission)
Audible alarm at the door is required
Once unlocked, door will not relock until manually reset
Sign on the door is required, telling people what to do
Emergency lighting required near the door


For access-controlled egress doors:

EITHER a REX sensor OR panic hardware with a switch is required
Exit pushbutton is mandatory, even if panic hardware is used
Exit button must directly interrupt lock power; must remain unlocked for at
least 30 seconds
Loss of power to the lock must unlock the door (note this excludes most
electric deadbolts)
Sprinklers or fire alarm is not required, but if they are present, they
must unlock the door

- badenov