Spotlight On…
Fire-Alarm Controlled
Door Hardware
Gerry Atkin, AHC
Doors do more than just open & close...
they provide safety, security, and
accessibility.
Codes
NFPA 80
Fire Rated Doors
and Windows
NFPA 101
Life Safety
Barrier Free
NBC / OBC
Ontarians with
Disabilities Act 2006
NFPA 80 2007 Edition
Fire Door Inspection
Requirements
NFPA 80 (2007) – NEW SECTION
5.2 - Inspection
5.2.1 Fire door assemblies shall be inspected
and tested not less that annually, and a written
report shall be signed and kept for inspection by
the AHJ
A basic electric circuit has 4
components.
1-Power Supply
2-Switch
3-Conductor
4-Load
2
1
3
4
Power Supplies
Power Supplies
Power Supplies
Hardware for Fire Doors
Problem
• Fire doors must close with closer
• Cross corridor doors are fire rated
• Owner wants doors to be held open
Solutions
wall or floor magnet with closer
electro-magnetic hold-open closer
battery-operated detector holder with closer
non-detector holders must be wired into the
fire alarm system
• stairwells - all doors must close
simultaneously
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Acceptable Ways to Hold Open a
Fire Door
• wall or floor magnet with closer
Acceptable Ways to Hold Open a
Fire Door
Closing Device
Fire-rated openings require a
closing device to ensure the
door is kept closed
fire rated, non-petroleum, hydraulic
fluid may be required
Fire-rated openings can be held
open only with listed closing
devices, provided they:
Release upon signal from alarm system
Integral to closer / fail safe door holder
Acceptable Ways to Hold Open a
Fire Door
• Electro-Magnetic Hold-Open Closer
• Single Point Hold-Open (SE)
• Multi-Point Hold-Open (ME)
Un-Acceptable Ways to Hold Open
a Fire Door
Problem
• Fire doors must close with closer
• Owner wants doors to be held open
Other locations may include:
Theatre exit doors
Storage room doors
Shipping / Receiving areas
Elevator Lobbies
Office Suite entry
Problem
• Fire doors must have positive latching
• Owner wants free “access” during fire
Buildings over a certain number of floors
must provide re-entry every 5th floor
allowing access to second stairwell. Office
buildings pose additional security issues.
Solutions
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Electrically controlled access from stair side
Must be fail un-locked
Controlled by security system
Un-locked by the fire alarm system
Solutions
Electric Locks
• Electrically controlled trim
• Two options:
Electrically LOCKED
Electrically UN-LOCKED
Solutions
Electric exit device trim
• Electrically controlled trim
• Two options:
Electrically LOCKED
Electrically UN-LOCKED
Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure
• Fail Safe - When power fails, the door is
un-locked or un-latched
• Fail Secure - When power fails, the door
remains locked or secure
Electric Strikes
• Replaces standard strike
for lockset or exit
device.
• Keeper secures and
releases latchbolt.
Problem
• Fire doors must have positive latching
• Owner wants a “push-pull” operation
In certain locations such as theatres and
banquet halls exit doors make a lot of
noise and would function better if they
could just be PUSH and PULL
Solutions
Electric exit device with
latch retraction
• Electrically controlled
latch
• Two options:
EL - Solenoid
QEL – Motorized
EL devices can be used to hold the latches retracted on
fire doors if they are connected to the fire alarm system.
EL devices can be used to hold the latches retracted on
fire doors if they are connected to the fire alarm system.
LIFE SAFETY
Problem
• Exit door are required due to occupancy loads
• Owner does not want people to use exits
In certain locations such as art galleries or
public libraries require several exits – but
they are for “emergency” only... Or there
are security requirements that need
authorized egress
Delayed Egress Locks
• Designed to delay egress to prevent theft.
• Must allow egress for life safety.
• Typically a delayed egress exit device
(Chexit) or magnetic lock with delayed
egress controller.
Delayed Egress Exits
• 15-second delay(30 seconds IF approved by AHJ)
• 30-second relock per BOCA, manual relock per NFPA 101
• No delay when fire alarm sounds or upon loss of power
• Audible local alarm
• Signage - “Push until alarm sounds. Door can be opened in 15
seconds.”
• One delay maximum per means of egress.
• Not allowed in all occupancies.
Controlled Egress Doors
• Sensor on egress side to unlock when approached by an
occupant
• Unlocked by loss of power to sensor or lock.
• Manual release device (push button) on egress side with
signage. Remains unlocked for 30 seconds min.
• Unlocked by fire alarm or sprinkler system until system is
reset.
• Prohibited on entrance doors in Use Groups A, B, E, or M
while open to the public.
Solutions
Exit device with delay egress
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Electric Latch Retraction
Electric Dogging (push-pull function)
Electrically Operated Trim
Exit Alarm or Request to Exit
Delay Exit (where codes permit)
Controlled Egress Doors
(restricted egress)
Controlled Exit Doors
Problem
• Doors are card access with “inter-lock”
• Must be fail locked (ingress) and fail safe egress
Bio-Hazard, Forensic Lab, Drug-Labs etc.,
Bank sorting centers, Museums or Art
galleries may have doors that can only be
opened one at time creating inter-lock
doors or man-traps
Solutions
Electro-magnetic Locks
Mag-Locks can be used (where codes permit) to
control ingress and/or egress, or to enable
a inter-locks doors
Solutions
Mag-Locks for inter-locking doors
Controlled Egress Doors
• Used to control and monitor ingress &
egress.
• Must also provide life safety.
• Typically an electro-magnetic lock and card
reader or keypad.
Electromagnetic Locks
• Always Fail
safe
• Direct Hold
(surface
mounted)
• Shear Locks
(concealed)
Questions & Answers