Break Glass with key for escape route

[Guest RobWoo]

Hi, please can you advise if a simple break glass with a key can be used to satisfy a simple means of escape?

Rob

[Tom Sutton]

The simple answer is NO I believe no Fire and Rescue Services would not accept them on an fire safety audit of your premises, there are far more acceptable and better solutions available.

Check out https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/14879/making-your-premises-safe-short-guide.pdf and the following paragraph is contained in that document.

Suitable fire exit doors

• You should be able to use fire exit doors and any doors on the escape routes without a key and without any specialist knowledge.

• In premises used by the public or large numbers of people, you may need push (panic) bars or push pads.

[Safelincs]

Hi Rob

If it is a door used for the escape of employees, you can often use emergency pads. If the escape is to be used by the public you will require panic bars.

You can choose 1 to 3 point locking mechanisms, so you can make your fire exits burglar proof.

A break glass key box should only be used for non-fire-exit doors if it is felt that the exit door might be useful as additional fire exit while discouraging unauthorised use for eg cigarette breaks etc.

Harry

[Guest]

Can you tell me what the situation is with fire doors being locked ?
I have been told that it is acceptable if the key is in a key box clearly visible next to the door the door can then be locked.

[Tom Sutton]

Keys in glass fronted boxes are not acceptable and there are many alternatives available. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/security-and-fire-safety/.

[AnthonyB]

It's not been acceptable for many years and there have sadly been many deaths where these were a factor over the last 60 years. There are so many simple alternatives available there is no excuse for not replacing them.