ch13 property security, emergency response, and fps

Chapter 13Property Security, Emergency Response, and Fire Protection Systems

Objectives• Identify and describe the three

components of a means of egress. • List and describe the override

requirements for exit stairway doors in high-rise buildings.

• List and describe the requirements for delayed egress locks.

Objectives

• List and describe the requirements for access-controlled egress doors.

• List and describe the requirements for electrically controlled and electromagnetically locked egress doors.

• Describe the purpose of an emergency building entrance system.

Objectives• List what is typically found inside an

emergency building entrance system. • List and describe the different methods of

property access through security gates and vehicle barriers.

Introduction• Focus on security has increased over the

past 15 years.– There is a growing need for protection against

bombs, shootings, espionage, and other threats.

– Security devices and systems control and document who enters and leaves buildings.

Introduction• Balancing life safety and security is the

primary challenge.– Unoccupied, unguarded, or open facilities are

a threat.– Individuals must be able to get in and out in

emergencies even in these spaces.– Responders must be able to gain access.

Introduction• Model codes outline methods of ingress

and egress.– Account for use and occupancy conditions– Require some systems to tie into fire

protection systems– No requirements to install door devices

Introduction• Security gates and barriers are becoming

more widespread.– Perimeter security is prevalent. – Responding local fire and police must be able

to gain access in a timely manner.

Means of Egress• The continuous,

unobstructed path of travel to the public way

• Three parts– Exit access, exit, exit

discharge• Everyone must travel

through these parts.• Familiarity with them is

critical.

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Means of Egress• Exit access

– Portion that leads to the exit

• Closed attics, crawl spaces, and roofs not usually part of

– Model codes limit travel distance to an exit based on occupancy condition and presence/absence of sprinkler system.

© A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning

Means of Egress• Exit

– Portion separated from rest of building by fire-resistant or fire-rated construction

• Exit stairway, horizontal exit built to protect and provide safe egress

– No requirement for fire-rate enclosure for one-level standalone store with an open floor and exit doors


Means of Egress• Exit discharge

– Portion between the exit and public way

• Takes a person from the exit door away from building to street, alley, etc.


Means of Egress• Maintaining the means of egress

– Some use and occupancy conditions are more challenging than others.

– Many injuries/deaths result from locked, blocked, removed, obscured, or damaged exit doors.

• Model codes have requirements in the building, life safety, and fire codes to address this.

• Many problems with means of egress persist.

– Must be able to identify the three egress components

Exit Stairway Doors• General requirements

– Usually interior exit stairway doors must open from both sides without requiring special knowledge, effort, or keys.

– Model codes list some exceptions.

• Can lock for security and to control floor-to-floor movement

• Doors can lock on non-egress side for stairways that do not serve more than four stories.


Exit Stairway Doors• Stairway doors in high-rise buildings

– Model codes may permit door locking under certain conditions.

– High-rises have additional fire protection feature requirements beyond the basics.

• Partially due to selective evacuation protocols• Emergency responders can unlock all stairway

doors from the fire command center.• Telephones/two-way systems are installed every

few levels.

Delayed Egress Locks• When security is a

concern, it may be okay to control exiting for safety and security reasons.– Facilities that work

with people with cognitive or psychiatric challenges

– Large retail stores © A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning

Delayed Egress Locks• Model codes include a section on delayed

egress locks.– Considerations:

• Use and occupancy conditions• Presence of automatic sprinkler system or approved

automatic fire/heat detection system

– Specific installation requirements: • Examples include unlocking on activation of sprinkler/heat

detection system, loss of power, application of force; relocking must occur manually; etc.

Delayed Egress Locks• Other requirements

include signage with instructions to push on the release device and emergency lights.


Delayed Egress Locks• Other model code information

– 2012 IBC® allows only one delayed egress door lock in an occupant’s path out of a building.

– Each model code may have additional and differing requirements.

• Know jurisdictional requirements.

Access-Controlled Egress Doors

• Sometimes it is critical to control who enters a building.– Many building owners

install security devices on entrance doors to restrict or prevent unwanted visitors from entering.

– Shouldn’t prevent anyone from getting out


Access-Controlled Egress Doors

• Model codes include many requirements.– Require unlocking on activation of automatic

release sensor, loss of power, or activation of other systems such as sprinklers or fire detection

– Manual unlocking device with signage and emergency lights required

– Some model codes require doors to stay open during business hours.

• This method addresses concerns about criminals and terrorists activating fire protection systems to gain unauthorized entry.– IBC® term: “electromagnetically locked egress

doors”– NFPA 5000 term: “electrically controlled egress

doors”– Eliminate releasing hardware and interface with

other systems but still provide secure door

Electrically Controlled/Electromagnetically

Locked Egress Doors


Locked Egress Doors• Model code requirements and differences

– IBC® establishes use and occupancy conditions.

– NFPA standards do not have these conditions.



(cont’d)– Specifics:

• Hardware on door leaf must have obvious method of operation to the occupant.

• Hardware for occupant release must be affixed to door leaf (NFPA).

• Hardware for occupant release must be operable in all lighting conditions (IBC®).

• Installed hardware must be operable with one hand.



(cont’d)– Specifics (cont’d):

• When listed hardware is operating, power to electromagnetic/electric lock must be immediately interrupted.

• Door must unlock following loss of power to the listed hardware.

• Where panic or fire exit hardware is required, operation must release electromagnetic lock (IBC®).

Fire Department Access Systems

• Emergency responders are adept at gaining access to buildings.– Forcible entry is performed if access is not

readily available, to reduce operational delays that could lead to out-of-control fire or injuries.

– When justifiable, property owners do not object to forcible entry, but it becomes problematic for false alarm situations.


• Emergency building entrance systems allow entry without knocking down doors/breaking windows.– Safe-life security box is

anchored in or to the entrance wall.

– Many jurisdictions require them for all buildings except one- and two-family homes.



• MSDS, HMMP, and HMIS documentation may be required on site.– Amount of information may require

additional/separate boxes.– Box size varies with documentation and

number of keys.– MSDS and HMIS require larger boxes.– Many documents are now in CD/DVD format

or accessible via wireless devices.

Security Gates• Restricting access to communities or facilities

with gates is now very common.• Gates vary from small plastic, to motor-driven

metal gates, to concrete crash barriers.• Emergency responders must be able to get

through without delay.• Emergency responders should be involved in

gate decision making.

Security Gates• Siren sensors

– Detect emergency vehicle sirens and operate gate mechanism

– One of the most common access systems

– Allow fire personnel to stay in the vehicle

– Must be inspected periodically

– Usually have manual override


Security Gates• Proprietary fire

department access key– Some gates/barriers

require key for operation.• May be same as key for

emergency building access system

– Not as efficient as sirens but simpler

• Put key in switch and turn• Can act as backup to sirens


Security Gates• Access cards and access codes

– One of the least desirable methods– Responders must leave their vehicles and

follow a number of steps before getting back in.

– Sometimes the cards and codes fail, losing valuable time.

– Life and property can be placed in great danger.

Security Gates• Radio frequency sensor

– Similar to siren system but uses emergency responder’s radio

– Responders can stay in vehicle.– Periodic inspection and testing are necessary.

Security Gates• Fire protection systems interface

– Gate control mechanisms connect to fire alarm system to perform control functions.

– Only an alarm initiation device such as detector or water flow switch is required to activate.

– Once signaled to operate, gate opens in advance of fire department’s arrival.

– Method is not available if there is no fire protection system.

Summary • Building and occupant security has

become a priority for many organizations. However, some of the devices, equipment, and methods used to secure a property complicate easy exiting by occupants or entrance by emergency responders.

Summary• The model code organizations publish several

installation packages that require a number of different system overrides, including connection to the fire protection systems to ensure building occupants are able to exit during an emergency. Delayed egress, access-controlled egress, electromagnetic egress, and the high-rise building packages are utilized to address this problem.

Summary• Because many exit stairway doors have

security devices installed, the package installed will depend on the occupancy and number of floors in the building.

• When properly installed, these packages effectively control movement and access but, in an emergency, will allow occupants to exit.

Summary• In some situations, emergency responders

face a different problem: how to enter a building. In these situations, emergency building entrance systems provide emergency responders with the necessary keys, codes, or tools to enter a building.

Summary• When security extends to the property line,

the ability to enter becomes even more important. Siren sensors, keys, interconnection to fire protection systems, and pass cards allow entry.

Summary• In the end, people need to be able to exit

buildings and emergency responders need to enter. With the help of the model codes, installation packages balance life safety and security for all concerned parties. In addition, installation of systems that assist emergency responders with entering secured properties cuts down on the one critical factor that could determine life or death: time!

ch13 property security, emergency response, and fps

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