Prior to the 2009 edition of the International Building Code and NFPA 101 – The Life Safety Code, health care facilities with a need to contain patients for their safety did not have a lot of options. Although there was some leeway with locking requirements for psychiatric facilities, other types of health care units, such as memory care, maternity, pediatrics, and emergency rooms were not specifically addressed. For these areas, delayed egress locks or alarms could be installed, but they weren’t always enough to deter patients or visitors from using the doors. This put the patients at risk of elopement, or in the case of infants and children – possible abduction.

The 2009 edition of the IBC added a section called Special Locking Arrangements in Group I-2 (1008.1.9.6), which described a fail-safe lock that would be released in an emergency, but the code section used the terminology “delayed egress lock” even though the code did not require the product that is commonly known by that name in the door and hardware / security industry. The 2012 edition of the IBC corrected the terminology by changing “delayed egress lock” to “special egress lock” (1008.1.9.6). In the 2015 edition of the IBC, the terminology was changed again (hopefully for the last time) to “controlled egress lock” (1010.1.9.6), and the section was expanded to apply to Group I-1 as well as Group I-2.

These changes explain why there is some confusion surrounding delayed egress vs. controlled egress. While a controlled egress device allows the egress doors serving certain areas to remain locked until they are unlocked by staff, the automatic fire protection system, or a power failure, delayed egress locks must automatically unlock 15 seconds after a building occupant actuates the device by pressing on the touchpad or the door, along with other emergency egress requirements. The section of the IBC addressing controlled egress in certain areas of a health care facility does not require the door to unlock automatically after 15 seconds.

The IBC does not specifically address which types of health care units can be equipped with controlled egress locks, but the 2015 IBC Commentary states: “The areas where controlled egress may be permitted include psychiatric areas, dementia units, Alzheimer’s units, maternity units, and newborn nurseries. Code officials may also permit these provisions in other areas such as emergency departments or pediatric areas where the safety and/or security of the occupants are of primary concern.”  This helps to establish the intent of section 1010.1.9.6.

This table compares the IBC requirements for both types of systems. Let me know if I forgot anything!

Delayed Egress Controlled Egress
2015 IBC Code Section 1010.1.9.7 – Delayed Egress 1010.1.9.6 Controlled egress doors in Groups I-1 and I-2
Use Groups Where Allowed Any Use Group except Assembly, Educational, or High Hazard Only in Use Groups I-1 (alcohol and drug centers, assisted living facilities, congregate care facilities, group homes, halfway houses, residential board and care facilities, social rehabilitation facilities) and I-2 (foster care facilities, detoxification facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals) – where
the clinical needs of persons receiving care require their containment. Prior to the 2015 edition, this section was limited to Use Group I-2.
Required Fire Protection System Equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system or approved automatic smoke or heat detection system. Equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system or approved automatic smoke or heat detection system.
Actuation Time Up to 3 seconds (was 1 second prior to the 2015 IBC) when force of 15 pounds is applied. Release is not required to be actuated by an occupant attempting to operate the door.
Automatic Release Delay 15-second delay before lock releases to allow egress (30 seconds with AHJ approval). Lock is not required to release automatically after actuating the door hardware.
Rearming After Actuation Manual rearm required. Not addressed in the 2015 IBC.
Audible Alarm Audible alarm required. No audible alarm required.
Signage Required Signage: “Push [pull] until alarm sounds. Door can be opened in 15 [30] seconds.” Signage must be on the door within 12 inches of the door exit hardware. New in 2015: Signage must comply with A117.1 requirements. In Group I occupancies, AHJ may allow signage to be omitted for certain types of treatment areas. No signage required.
Action on Actuation of Fire Alarm / Sprinkler System
Unlock for immediate egress (no delay). Unlock for immediate egress (not required for psychiatric treatment areas, and – new in 2015 – not required when a listed child abduction system is used in an I-2 hospital nursery or obstetric area).
Action on Power Failure Unlock for immediate egress (no delay). Unlock for immediate egress (not required for psychiatric treatment areas, and – new in 2015 – not required when a listed child abduction system is used in an I-2 hospital nursery or obstetric area).
Remote Release Capable of being deactivated at the fire command center and other approved locations. Capable of being unlocked by a switch which directly breaks power to the lock, located at the fire command center, nursing station, or other approved location (not required for psychiatric treatment areas, and – new in 2015 – not required when a listed child abduction system is used in an I-2 hospital nursery or obstetric area).
Staff Release Not required. Procedures for unlocking doors must be part of emergency plan. All clinical staff must carry keys, codes, or other credentials to unlock doors.
Emergency Lighting Required on the egress side of the door. Must be provided at the door.
Maximum Quantity of Locks per Egress Path One delayed egress lock per egress path. New in 2015: I-2 or I-3 occupancies may have 2 doors with delayed egress locks in one egress path, with a maximum combined delay of 30 seconds. Occupant must not be required to pass through more than one controlled egress lock before entering an exit (not limited in psychiatric treatment areas, and – new in 2015 – not limited when a listed child abduction system is used in an I-2 hospital nursery or obstetric area)
Required Listings for Locking System UL 294 – Standard for Access Control System Units UL 294 – Standard for Access Control System Units
Type of Locking Hardware Used Delayed egress panic hardware (for example, Von Duprin Chexit with 15-second delay), delayed egress mag-lock, or other electrified lock with listed delayed egress controller. Controlled egress panic hardware (for example, Von Duprin Chexit with infinite release delay), electromagnetic lock, or other fail safe electrified lock.

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