Introduction
This guidance is not designed to provide a full understanding of security
devices it only shows a few of the more common ones you will find around.
It should convince you that there are devices available that will ensure
you do not need to compromise security or means of escape from fire.
All guidance on means of escape from fire will have the
following statement or a similar phrase "All doors on escape routes
leading to a final exit should be quickly and easily openable without
the need for a key". In most cases this is the normal situation,
for instance the door from an office, you simply operate the door handle
and pass through, In a hotel room you require a key to get in the room
but only need to operate the door handle to get out. However the final
exit door usually presents problems because this door requires a higher
degree of security and needs to open easily .Consequently manufacturers
have produced many devices to solve this problem.
An important consideration, is these doors only need to
be easily openable during the time the premises are occupied and additional
security can be added when the premises are vacated. This usually takes
the form of barrel bolts, locks and chains but with certain provisos.
With barrel bolts the stop which prevents the bolt being withdrawn should
be removed so the bolt can be withdrawn. The reason for this is as soon
as the premises are occupied all the additional security devices has to
be removed and placed on a security board. This is a board with hooks
for all the barrel bolts, locks and chains, one for each and located in
a prominent position where the person in charge can ensure that all the
additional security devices have been removed.
If additional security devices are considered necessary
then the Fire and Rescue Service should be contacted and attempt to gain
their approval. The submission should include all your proposals including
how you will ensure that the devices will not remain in place when the
premises are occupied.
Push Bars
Push
bars go back to the early twentieth century as the result of a number
of serious fires in Places of Public Entertainment. In 1934 the
Home Office introduction to its "Manual of Safety Requirements in Theatres
and Other Places of Public Entertainment" the recommendations
were based on experience of nine disasters at home and abroad. They are
very effective in a panic situation were large number of people are attempting
to exit through a door because the bolts will withdraw if minimal pressure
is applied to the bar. They are only suitable for doors that open outwards
and are only used for emergency exits because they do not allow ingress
unless they are opened from the inside. Push bars are available for single
and double doors.
Push Pads
Push
pads are similar to push bars but use a small pad as opposed to a long
bar and operates
a conventional dead lock or rim lock instead of bolts. They are designed
for single doors and should only be used in situations where the means
of escape is designed for less than 60 persons. If you require a system
that is more pleasing to the eye I would considered them more aesthetic
than push bars. This type of device should be accompanied by an additional
sign adjacent to the push pad indicating the method of operation.
Redlam Bolts
The
Redlam Panic Bolt is an economical solution for turning an external door
into an emergency fire exit. Designed for single doors, only. Breaking
the tube results in the bolt sliding back automatically and unlocking
the door. Redlam bolts secure the bolt in the closed position originally
using a glass tube, but now frangible ceramic tube and spare ceramic tube
are available. They are designed for emergency doors which are not in
normal every day use and should only be opened for maintenance and testing.
Kingpin Panic Bolt
Kingpin
panic bolt is similar to the redlam bolt and when the handle is pulled,
the ‘Kingpin’ breaks into two pieces, allowing the spring-loaded
bolt to retract and thus releasing the door. Both of the broken pieces
remain attached to the bolt, thus eliminating any risk of injury or contamination.
The door can, at all times, be used for non-emergency purposes by the
key holder.
Door Handles and Knobs
 Where
the fire exit provides normal access to the premises and is require to
be locked from the outside during the time the premise are occupied. These
doors can be secured with rim locks or security combination locks but
made easily openable from the inside using door handles and knobs that
are not locked from the inside during the time the premises are occupied.
There are also thumb turns designed especially for emergency fire doors
which are larger than the conventional thumb turn.
Access and Entry Control Systems.
These systems use various electromagnetic locks as indicated
below,
- Maglocks
A maglock is a large electromagnet, usually fitted to the head of the
doorframe, with a
corresponding metal plate fitted to the face of door. The maglock holds
the door shut using the
electromagnetic attraction (pull) between the magnet and the plate.
This typically provides a
holding force in the region of 3 to 5kN. Maglocks are always fail unlocked
in operation.
- Shearmags
A shearmag is similar to a maglock in that it relies on the attraction
between an electromagnet
and a plate on the edge of the door to lock. However in this case the
plate has a number of
protruding metal pins on the surface, with matching recesses on the
face of the magnet. When the
door is locked the electromagnet pulls the plate onto the face of the
magnet. In this position the
holding strength is then provided by the metal pins which are held within
the recesses of the
magnet. This provides much greater holding force than a conventional
maglock, typically in the
order of 7kN and upwards depending on size and type. Shearmags are always
fail unlocked in
operation.
- Electric strikes
An electric strike works in conjunction with a conventional mechanical
lockcase to retain the
latch or deadbolt in the striking plate and then release it on demand.
Electric strikes are available
to work with either latchbolts or deadbolts, but the basic operation
is similar, in that the bolt is
held behind a moveable pivot, which is electrically released. Once released
pushing/pulling on
the door causes the pivot to swing out of the way allowing the door
to open. Electric strikes are
available in a wide variety of types with holding forces ranging from
3kN to 10kN plus. Electric
strikes are available with both fail locked and fail unlocked mechanisms.
- Solenoid Latch
A solenoid latch provides similar operation to an electric strike, but
in this case it is achieved
by the double action latch being freed to move back into the lockcase.
When the lock is
released the door can simply be pushed/pulled open. Typically these
locks only have the
option for a key cylinder to provide mechanical override, restricting
their use on escape
routes. These locks typically have a holding force in the region of
5kN and are usually
available either fail locked or unlocked, but this can depend on the
manufacturer.
- Solenoid handle locks
These operate like a conventional mechanical latch lock, but with the
ability for either one or
both handles to be electrically disabled. When an open signal is sent
to the lock the controlled
handle is then able to retract the bolts and the door can be opened.
Models are available with
either one or both handles controlled. The models where only the handle
on the insecure side is
disabled are suitable for escape routes and any area where there is
free exit. Models where both
internal and external handles are disabled are suitable for areas where
access is restricted in both
directions. Solenoid handle locks typically have a holding force in
the range of 7-10kN and are
available with either fail locked or fail unlocked operation.
- Motor locks
Motorised locks offer a high level of physical security as they rely
on a motor controlled bolt for
locking. To unlock, a signal is sent to the lock that pulls the bolt
into the lockcase allowing the
door to be opened. Due to the time taken for the motor to pull the bolt
back and to re-lock, these
locks are not usually suited to very high usage areas. Typically motor
locks will have a holding
force of 10kN plus. Unusually motor locks are neither fail locked or
fail unlocked as (for the
majority of these locks) with no power to the lock the bolt will stay
in whatever position it is
currently in, be it locked or unlocked.
Methods for gaining access from the unsecure side of the
door.
Methods widely available but less secure.
- Magnetic stripe bank cards - Standard current credit card type
- Surface barcodes – Similar to supermarket produce ID lables.
Methods with more security
- IT management system.
- Weigand – embedded magnetic wires.
- Infrared – hidden optically read codes
- Watermark – magnetic stripe with patented security feature
to prevent duplication.
- Proximity – chip and antenna with unique ID code.
- Smart Card – read write chip card which will support multiple
applications.
- Biometrics – some of the types of biometrics currently available
are:
- Finger recognition.
- Hand recognition (including vein check).
- Face recognition (2D & 3D).
- Iris recognition.
Note. There is a difference between full biometrics
that only use the unique physiological attributes of the user and a biometric
systems that requires a PIN code or card to support it.
Methods for gaining egress from the secure side of the
door.
- Any of the above if consider necessary
- Simple press to exit button.
- Green break glass override device..
Fire Safety considerations.
All access and security controlled locking systems on doors
used on escape routes, including automatic sliding doors require an elecromechanical
or mechanical override in the directon of escape. Electric strike plates
normally have a handle or knob to use which operates like a conventional
locking system and consequently have a manual override. The remaider need
to be provided with special override arrangements to ensure they can be
unlocked in the event of an emergency by any person who requires to pass
through these doors in the event of a fire and should be able to without
the need of an electronic key or other device.
A number of general rules for doors without a manual override,
- Electromagnetic devices should have a manual override.

- The locks should release on a power failure.
- The locks should release on operation of the fire alarm system.
- Suitable emergency disconnection arrangements shall be provided at
each locked door on the exit route. These will normally be in the form
of the operation of a ‘break glass’ unit positioned adjacent
to the door.
- The fire alarm release may be by direct input from the fire alarm
system interface or via the fire alarm interfacing with the security
systems software at a central location.
- All break glass units associated with egress systems for emergency
use must be green in colour.
- In addition, a specific sign is necessary and placed adjacent to
green release boxes. These signs must have 20 mm high lettering indicating
Break glass to open door.
Because there are so many combinations and differing situations it is impossible
to give definative advice and each door must be considered separately and
the most suitable solution provided.
Break Dome Protecter
Break
Dome protector inhibits casual use of the internal turnknob release facility,
and provides a clear visual indication of unauthorised exit.
Designed for use with mortice escape deadlocks such as Union 21572. Supplied
c/w self adhesive vinyl sign.
In the event of an emergency, access to the turn lever can be gained
by breaking the clear plastic dome cover.
Warning Devices
Warning
devices are available which operate if the exit door is opened this
allows the staff to investigate the occurence immediately for any unauthorised
use of the exit door. They can be stand alone devices or an interegal
part of the door furniture.
If you require a more in depth information check out Door
and Hardware Federation and download the Code of Practice:
Hardware for Fire & Escape Doors.
If you require a more guides go to Door
and Hardware Federation.
If you require more information about Access and Entry Control Systems
go to British
Security Industry Association.
This handout provides a general overview
and basic information on this topic. It may not apply to everyone, consequently
to find out if this guide applies to you and to get more information
on this subject, study all the relevant legislation, guides and British/European
Standards. Also you should seek advice from an expert on the subject
or your local Fire Safety Officer or Fire Safety Professional.

Merseyside Fire Liaison Panel. Permission is granted to print and photocopy
this material for nonprofit educational uses.
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modified on
Sunday, 20 April, 2008 12:32
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