Tim Edwards of The Flying Locksmiths sent me today’s Fixed-it Friday photo, after seeing this door at a mall in Illinois. My question is…why would this happen? Most people don’t want to pay for one panic device, let alone two! Any ideas?
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That’s one of them double egress doors.
🙂
top one installed first,,,
The great inspector said,,, Wrong
So instead of removing it, and all the holes, they installed the lower one, and dogged the top one.
My guess is that one of the two has an outside cylinder. During the day, the one with the cylinder is active, while the other is dogged down–that gives employees access to the space from outside. At night the one without outside access is active (probably both) so that there is no entry even with a key.
World’s Best Salesperson!
Would that still be considered one motion egress if you use both hands?
The two exit devices are rim exits so it is unlikely (or impossible) that they are linked with a concealed rod.
Security overkill?
Maybe they needed the extra to overcome the door binding in the rusted frame.
I guess if you use your arm vertically this could still be single-motion egress. Hmmm.
I think the top exit device remains dogged during business hours to allow reentry. After hours the device is un dogged requiring you to use the main entrance for access.
Crazy but possible.
Too dog or not to dog …that is the question. Whether it be noble in the hearts of men to dog the upper device, so that be it may, the lower device is locked.
Top one was originally installed after the architect specified a 48″ high armor plate which probably covered over the original panic bar prep, and instead of ordering a shorter armor plate they “raised the bar” (sorry). top one eventually stopped working (seems like the latch doesn’t quite reach the strike), and someone suggested cutting through the armor plate might just work.
I’m guessing the top one was installed first, but then the AHJ said “Eh, that doesn’t meet ADA and this is a fire door, and that’s NOT fire exit hardware–fix it”. In order to avoid having a bunch of extra holes, they left everything and leave it dogged down. The bottom one is the ADA compliant and fire rated panic device. Just a guess.
Those who surmise that it was left to cover the unsightly holes should look at the swiss cheese closer install. Also, the “broken so dogged” would be easily taken care of by removing the strike…which is still there. So the device still likely functions and the dogging is by design. My guess is that upper one was added because of the dogging feature desired and the lower (original device) is there for code reasons and AHJ satisfaction. Top, once undogged, no entry from outside. While dogged you can use a key to enter on the outside of the lower device. So….top device is the acceptable security addition. JMHO
Panic device sales doubled in the fourth quarter….
😀
– Lori