Revise as follows:
1008.1.9.3 Locks and latches.
Locks and latches shall be permitted to prevent operation of doors where any of the following exists:
1.
Places of detention or restraint.
2.
In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant load of 300 or less, Groups B, F, M and S,
and in places of religious worship , the main exterior door or doors are permitted to be equipped with keyoperated locking devices from the egress side provided:
2.1.
The locking device is readily distinguishable as locked;
2.2. A readily visible durable sign is posted on the egress side on or adjacent to the door stating: THIS
DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN BUILDING IS OCCUPIED. The sign shall be in letters 1 inch
(25 mm) high on a contrasting background; and
2.3.
The use of the key-operated locking device is revocable by the building official for due
cause.
3.
Where egress doors are used in pairs, approved automatic flush bolts shall be permitted to be
used, provided that the door leaf having the automatic flush bolts has no doorknob or surface-mounted
hardware.
4.
Doors from individual dwelling or sleeping units of Group R occupancies having an occupant load
of 10 or less are permitted to be equipped with a night latch, dead bolt or security chain, provided such
devices are openable from the inside without the use of a key or tool.
5.
Fire doors after the minimum elevated temperature has disabled the unlatching mechanism in
accordance with listed fire door test procedures.
6.
Where occupants must re-enter the building for egress purposes, doors serving outdoor areas of
R-3 occupancies and individual sleeping units or dwelling units of R-2 occupancies with an occupant load
of 10 or less are permitted to be equipped with locks or latches provided such devices are openable from
the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.
7.
Egress doors serving outdoor areas having an occupant load of 300 or less where single or
multiple paths of egress travel from the outdoor area are required to pass through the building are
permitted to be equipped with locks or latches provided:
6.1 The locking device is readily distinguishable as locked on the interior side;
6.2 A readily visible durable sign is posted on the interior side on or adjacent to the door
stating: THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN THE OUTDOOR AREA IS
OCCUPIED. The sign shall be in letters 1 inch high on a contrasting background;
6.3 A two-way communication system complying with Sections 1007.8.1 and 1007.8.2
shall be provided on the egress side.
6.4 The use of the key-operated locking device is revocable by the building official for
due cause.
Commenter=s Reason:
Item #6:
Currently there are no provisions in the code that allow locks or latches to be installed
on doors serving outdoor areas of R-3 or R-2 sleeping units or dwelling units where the
occupants must re-enter the building for egress purposes. Exception #2 of IBC Section
1004.5 is unclear in this regard. It is common practice to install locks or latches on
exterior doors serving these outdoor areas to maintain security. Occupant loads
exceeding 10 persons would not be allowed to use the provision, similar to item #4 of
this section.
Item #7:
Currently egress doors serving outdoor areas, where single or multiple paths of egress
travel are required to pass through the building, are not permitted to have locks or
latches. For security purposes, building owners or tenants typically install locks on
required egress doors from these areas. When occupants must re-enter the building,
as is typical for elevated decks where an exterior stair from the deck is impractical, IBC
Section 1004.5 requires an unobstructed path of egress from these outdoor areas,
similar to any occupied room in the building.
Additional safety is provided by requiring a two-way communication system allowing
occupants to call for help if the egress door is accidently locked while the outdoor area
is occupied. Two-way communication system requirements are currently found in IBC
Section 1007.8.1 & 1007.8.2. Section 1007.8.1 and specifies connection to a fire
command center or central control point approved by the fire department. If the central
control point is not constantly attended then connections to an approved monitoring
location or 911dispatch is permitted.
The sketch below illustrates this situation. The deck shown is on the 4th floor of the
building. The installation of an exterior stairway is not practical. The owner wants to
lock the doors for security purposes but this is a problem because, per IBC Section
1004.5, occupants must be able to egress from the deck at any time.