we manage a property which is a multi--tenanted office block, with different escape route for the basement tenant. There are rear of the building fire escape stairs, leading to a door which apparently releases when the fire alarm goes off. The door opens outwards onto the fire escape landing outside, which is not ideal, but worse is that on the inside there is a thumb lock which is kept locked for security purposes. Therefore this escape route is completely useless unless we can find some sort of means by which the people escaping can actually access this door and go down the main staircase and out of the front door, and also to maintain the integrity of security within the building. Our fire alarm maintenance company doesn't seem to know what to do, but this must be a pretty common problem, and wonder if you could advise? Any external door release would obviously compromise security.
1
Fire exit with thumb lock
Started by
Guest_Sara Bennett_*
, Feb 21 2012 05:16 PM
thum lock fire exit locked
3 replies to this topic
#2
Tom Sutton
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Posted 21 February 2012 - 08:04 PM
Sorry Sara I cannot visualise the situation can you re-phase the question or can anybody help who is less thick than me.
All my responses only apply to England and Wales and they are an overview of the subject, hopefully it will point you in the right direction and always treat with caution. Scotland and Northern Ireland has differing legislation
#3
Tom Sutton
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- Gender:Male
- Location:Prescot, Merseyside.
Posted 23 February 2012 - 02:14 PM
Sara my understanding is you have a staircase at the rear of the building leading from the basement to, I assume the ground floor which opens onto a platform in the open air. From this platform another door opens into the main staircase which then leads to the front door.
1. When you get on the platform why can’t you disperse to the assemble point?
2. If you cannot disperse then how would an intruder get on the platform?
3. The door which apparently releases when the fire alarm goes off, is most probably fitted with mag-lock, why can’t the door into the main staircase be fitted as well.
Check out http://www.firesafe....nd-fire-safety/ it may be worth a read.
1. When you get on the platform why can’t you disperse to the assemble point?
2. If you cannot disperse then how would an intruder get on the platform?
3. The door which apparently releases when the fire alarm goes off, is most probably fitted with mag-lock, why can’t the door into the main staircase be fitted as well.
Check out http://www.firesafe....nd-fire-safety/ it may be worth a read.
All my responses only apply to England and Wales and they are an overview of the subject, hopefully it will point you in the right direction and always treat with caution. Scotland and Northern Ireland has differing legislation
#4
Fast Key Services Ltd
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- Members
- 1 posts
Posted 02 May 2012 - 09:44 AM
Is it not a viable option to have a fire release bar on the door? or can this not be done. Also what is the issue with intruders, if the door is thumb release from the inside how can it be accessed from the outside?
Replacement Keys and Locks for Office Furniture.
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