A magnetic lock has two means of operation one is an electro/mechanical device that uses the normal electric supply, backed up by a battery and if the electricity supply, (mains/battery) fails the lock will fail to an open situation. The second is a connection from the fire alarm and if the FA operates, the connection will override the lock and open the lock. If the connection fails as the result of a fault on the fire alarm the lock will remain closed because the normal electricity supply will not have been interrupted, which is the case in most fire situations. If the door is not fitted with a manual override then a green manual call box has to be fitted to override the lock using a secure method.
The short answer is the green manual call box cannot be removed because persons could be trapped by a locked door, depending on the situation.
The problem you are having maybe solved by using some sort of security device likean alarm that will operate if the door is opened and alert people in charge or CCTV a dummy if necessary. Check out http://www.safelincs.co.uk/fire-exit-door-security/ for some ideas.
Hi Tom,
This is extremely useful information. I work within schools, mainly contract management and recently visited a school that removed all the green brake glasses and replaced with key switches.
This school has around 1100 students, 120 staff, visitors and members of the public using it in the evening for LETS. My concern is exactly what you have mentioned above, by removing the green brake glass, and the fire interface with the maglock failed, basically they have locked people in the building.
Have you ever come across this situation and do you think its acceptable to put key switches on external/internal fire doors? Would this type of change need to be signed off by building control?
Access control in school
in Fire Safety in Schools
Posted
Hi Tom,
This is extremely useful information. I work within schools, mainly contract management and recently visited a school that removed all the green brake glasses and replaced with key switches.
This school has around 1100 students, 120 staff, visitors and members of the public using it in the evening for LETS. My concern is exactly what you have mentioned above, by removing the green brake glass, and the fire interface with the maglock failed, basically they have locked people in the building.
Have you ever come across this situation and do you think its acceptable to put key switches on external/internal fire doors? Would this type of change need to be signed off by building control?