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Emergency Escape Doors - maglock and green box release - Fire Door and Emergency Release
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Brownaw1  
#1 Posted : 02 May 2017 20:37:25(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Brownaw1

I have a number of emergency exit doors which are on a first floor which are locked shut using a maglock and keypad during normal operation.

The maglocks are all linked the fire alarm and release automatically upon activation.

There is also a green box located close by for emergency release... I assume the reason for this is incase the relay fails the glass can be smashed and the door released.

My query is do I really need the green break glass or can this be removed ? (I could test the relay periodically to confirm that it works appropriately)

Is there a British Standard for this ?

In my mind the relay from the fire alarm seems enough and if that were to fail anyone 'trapped' could just use the code to open the door ?

Any thoughts welcome.

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Invictus  
#2 Posted : 03 May 2017 07:01:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Invictus
Originally Posted by: Brownaw1 Go to Quoted Post

I have a number of emergency exit doors which are on a first floor which are locked shut using a maglock and keypad during normal operation.

The maglocks are all linked the fire alarm and release automatically upon activation.

There is also a green box located close by for emergency release... I assume the reason for this is incase the relay fails the glass can be smashed and the door released.

My query is do I really need the green break glass or can this be removed ? (I could test the relay periodically to confirm that it works appropriately)

Is there a British Standard for this ?

In my mind the relay from the fire alarm seems enough and if that were to fail anyone 'trapped' could just use the code to open the door ?

Any thoughts welcome.

Not really sure what the problem is having the green box to open the door if the failsafe failed, but I do know that you would be illegal under the Fire safety Order to have them use the code locks on external fire doors

Article 14 Emergency routes and exits (f) emergency door must not be so locked or fastened thet they cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person who may require to use them in an emergency.

using a code does not allow immediate or ease of opened in fact in an emergency situation people could be panicking smoke around them etc and you could end up with fatalities.
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A Kurdziel  
#3 Posted : 03 May 2017 08:03:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

I am sure you can conceive of situations where someone wants to exit quickly in an emergency but the fire alarm has not been evacuated. That’s what the green box is for. I am surprised that you have a keypad on an EXIT door but I have seen it before.

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johnld  
#4 Posted : 03 May 2017 12:27:52(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
johnld

The establishment I used to work at always had a green box on fire doors which were fitted with mag locks

In some areas the fire exit doors

also had  key pads as it was sometimes necessary to allow access, by designated staff, without overriding or activating the fire alarm system.
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douglas.dick  
#5 Posted : 03 May 2017 12:33:39(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
douglas.dick

These green emergency release boxes usually have a test method, this could be inserting a key or by releasing the font of the box. It depends how its wired up, however in my experience it shouldnt sound the fire alarm and should only disable the mag locks. I have not seen glass ones, only plastic push to release type. If it is undeed glass then there must be a way to replace the glass, so use that. These are usually fire call points in a different colour.

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John D C  
#6 Posted : 03 May 2017 17:46:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
John D C
Whilst I sympathise with the problem of reduced security when these boxes are in place please check with your local fire service. In two areas I have worked in the local services insisted on having these release boxes as they considered them more reliable than the fire alarm releasing the door. I argued that I had never known a mag lock linked to the fire alarm ever failing to release the door and that security was being compromised. The answer I got back in both areas was' Do you want serving with a formal notice'!!!!!!!
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stonecold  
#7 Posted : 03 May 2017 18:39:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stonecold
Originally Posted by: johnc Go to Quoted Post
Whilst I sympathise with the problem of reduced security when these boxes are in place please check with your local fire service. In two areas I have worked in the local services insisted on having these release boxes as they considered them more reliable than the fire alarm releasing the door. I argued that I had never known a mag lock linked to the fire alarm ever failing to release the door and that security was being compromised. The answer I got back in both areas was' Do you want serving with a formal notice'!!!!!!!
One of our large offices uses mag locks linked to fire doors etc. The system failed last year a couple of times, leaving some doors secured during test Evacs. The doors also had the green boxes as we use though too, but it does show that these mag lock set ups can fail.
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John D C on 03/05/2017(UTC)
Brownaw1  
#8 Posted : 04 May 2017 20:13:13(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Brownaw1

Thanks everyone... I should have been clearer in my question.

These are not final exit doors but are doors which lead to a protected stairwell.

The issue is that these doors are easily overcome (by breaking the glass) and then someone (child or vulnerable adult) could fall down the stairs.

I'm now in consultation with Fire Officer but would still welcome thoughts and opinions.

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Invictus  
#9 Posted : 05 May 2017 06:28:20(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Invictus

We have similar set up with the maglock and the key pad on our doors which is a residential unit for peopl with dementia, we do not have a green box to release to be fair if the maglock failed you could push the door open.

It also depends on what type of evacuation you have where cross corridor doors are and what fire protection you will be afforded.

We test the fire alarm weekly and during this time we walk around and check that all doors have been released.
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thanks 1 user thanked Invictus for this useful post.
Brownaw1 on 05/05/2017(UTC)
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