Note for Guidance

The Fire Safety Advice Centre

Security and Fire Safety

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 With barrel bolts the stop which prevents the bolt being withdrawn should be removed so the bolt can be withdrawn.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 Responsible Person should insure satisfactory management procedures should be put in place to 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.

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 labels.

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 electromechanical or mechanical override in the direction 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 remainder 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 definitive advice and each door must be considered separately and the most suitable solution provided.

Break Dome Protector

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 usually with 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 occurrence immediately for any unauthorised use of the exit door. They can be stand alone devices or an integral part of the door furniture.

If you require more in depth information check out Code of Practice: Hardware for Fire Escape Doors

If you require general information go to Door and Hardware Federation.

If you require more information about Access and Entry Control Systems go to British Security Industry Association.

Further Information

BS EN 14846:2008 Building hardware. Locks and latches. Electro mechanically operated locks and striking plates. Requirements and test methods

BS 8621:2007+A1:2009 Thief resistant lock assembly. Keyless egress

BS 10621:2007+A1:2009 Thief resistant dual-mode lock assembly

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.

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This page was last checked and modified on Thursday, 8 July, 2010 22:26