Hi all, lurker for the most part but seeking advice on this one.

We have around 15 staff maximum in an area with two main fire escape routes. We've recently been told by our HS Manager that site security was an issue (unmanned reception area so visitors/deliveries walking into building unnoticed). The site manager here has taken that instruction to lock doors to prevent access from visitors unless allowed in (doorbell to alert staff available). The 'front' door is a top and bottom manual deadlock and the rear is the same but with a 'push to exit' button available also.

The staff have been advised on how to operate the doors in case of emergency so are familiar with the workings but there's still a concern that it prohibits egress and is an undue risk.

I've seen conflicting information - some say that locks can be included as long as non-keyholders can still open said doors (which is the case), and some say that a fire door/exit must be operable in 'one action', eg. pressing of a fire door handle or bar to open.

Any comments on the above?

Thanks for your prompt response SammyK. I guess it's a possibility but I'm almost certain that it would be cost prohibitive. The absolute ideal would be trying to find a workaround/solution with what's currently in situ, but I'll look into auto-releases in the meantime.

Originally Posted by: SammyK

Hello, We too had this problem and were advised by London fire brigade to make them an automatic release on fire alarm activating. Although costly, is this something you could do?

From BS 9999:2017 Fire Safety in the design management and use of buildings which mirrors Approved Document B of the Building Regulations: It might also be appropriate to accept on some final exit doors locks for security that are used only when the building is empty. In these cases the emphasis for the safe use of these locks should be placed on management procedures.

Personally I read that where locks are fitted their use is restricted to "out of hours" and should not be employed whilst the building is occupied.

On a unit we rented the final exit "fire doors" had security grills on the outside - the first to arrive every morning had to open the grills and padlock them in the open position whilst the last out at night padlocked the grills in the closed position.

Benz3ene

have used Push Pad Emergency Exit Latch in similar situations, can be fit retrospectively and easier than a full locking bar system.

A quick internet search on Push Pad Emergency Exit Latch will give you examples of what i mean.

Unless I have missed something here, I get a feeling that many of these solutions - with respect - are overcomplicating matters.

A lock on an escape route must open without the use of a key (or code or ID card etc). So what is wrong with a simple rim lock (like you may have on your front door at home) or a level handle type lock with the handle on the inside only?

Out of hours, deadlocks and chains can be fitted, but during working hours, only the rim lock is used. Staff leaving simply turn the handle and out

It what I and many do with our homes. My front door has a rim lock (aka Yale lock) plus two mortise locks. I only ever use the rim lock when I am home, but fasten the mortise locks when I am out

Push pads, electronic locks and green box overrides of course have their place, but for a small 15 person occupacy premises with 2 x final exits, a simple one action rim lock with handle may surely suffice