The Ohio Board of Building Standards has released proposed changes to the Ohio State Building Code that would allow the use of barricade devices to secure classroom doors, as required by the law passed in July 2015.  I’m going to withhold my comments for the moment, because I’d like to hear what you think about the proposal.  If you’re just tuning in, there is some background information on this situation here.  If you’re thinking that this post doesn’t apply to you because you’re not in Ohio, think again.  Several states are becoming more proactive about this issue to try to avoid similar legislation.

The proposed rules can be viewed here, and there will be a meeting open to all stakeholders to discuss these changes on November 16, 2015 (the meeting notice is here).  In addition to exceptions added where the proposed change would conflict with existing code requirements, here is an excerpt from the proposal:

1008.1.9.11 Temporary door locking device in school buildings. A temporary door locking device shall be permitted when approved by the building official and noted on the certificate of occupancy only in school buildings where the requirements of sections 1008.1.9.11.1 and 1008.1.9.11.2 are met.

1008.1.9.11.1 Conditions of use. A temporary door locking device shall only be used on doors under the following conditions:

  1. The temporary door locking device shall only be used in an emergency situation and during active shooter drills; and
  2. The temporary door locking device is engaged only by a staff member of the school building; and
  3. The temporary door locking device shall only be engaged for a finite period of time as determined by the administrative authority of a school building in accordance with an adopted school safety plan; and
  4. Evidence is provided that the administrative authority of a school building has notified the police and fire officials having jurisdiction for the school building prior to the use of the temporary door locking device; and
  5. In-service training on the use of the temporary door locking device is provided for school staff members and records verifying this training shall be maintained on file and provided to the fire official upon request.

1008.1.9.11.2 Operational requirements. The temporary door locking device shall be permitted to be used in accordance with the following items:

  1. The temporary door locking device shall not be permanently mounted to the door.

Exception: Individual parts of the temporary door locking device assembly such as bolts, stops, brackets, pins, etc. that do not prevent normal ingress and egress through the door may be permanently mounted provided that when such parts are mounted on a labeled fire door assembly such installation does not affect the fire rating of the fire door assembly.

  1. The removal of the temporary door locking device, after it is engaged, shall not require more than one operation.

Exception: Two operations may be permitted to remove a temporary door locking device, after it is engaged, if the school building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance section 903.3.1.1.

Provisions of the “Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,” 104 Stat. 327, 42 U.S.C.A. 12101, as amended, may apply to the use of the temporary door locking device but are outside the scope of this code.

What do you think?  Are there requirements here that are positive/negative?  Any concerns?

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