Deviant Ollam sent me these photos taken in a grocery store that had “closed” one of their exits. The store manager’s justification was that people were walking out of these doors without paying for their merchandise. I have my own thoughts about this situation, but I’m wondering…WWYD?
For the AHJs reading this – under what circumstances would this be allowed? What is the process for a retail store or other occupancy to take an exit out of service? It seems like the store is still considering this an emergency exit, but someone would have to get past the signs and then figure out how to open the door. I’m not sure if the door was locked or just sitting in the closed position with the auto operator turned off.
This situation seems to be more common these days. Thoughts??
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If I were King,,, would not be allowed
I know some AHJ’s allow,,, mostly stating low occupancy when done and plenty of exits.
I see law suit one day, when bad person is chasing people with knife or gun,,,, and victim runs into locked, blocked exit.
Anyway, in my Kingdom NO
If the doors are unlocked so they can break out in an emergency, and the signs were moved to allow emergency egress, then I see no problem. Coming from the automatic door industry, I see more issues with stores stacking merchandise up against the non-moving panels which keeps the moving panels from breaking away in emergency situations and the AHJ’s and fire inspectors never notice the issues as many don’t seem to know the function of the breakout doors.
For emergency egress, these types of doors should have nothing in front of them for the width of the panel to breakout at 90 degrees, but the big box stores merchandisers either don’t know or don’t care. I have been preaching to whomever would listen about that problem my whole career and it never changed.
All throughout the Covid Pandemic, I have witnessed this type of closure all in the name of control. Now it seems to be to herd everyone through one set of doors, trying to crack down on theft. This practice is dangerous to say the least, but with no inspections done unless someone registers a complaint it goes unchecked.
WWYD? Grocery Store Egress:
I have the same question regarding a sports arena that keeps blocking off one of the exits. The Arena does put someone there as fire watch and I also believe this exit, marked as such, may not be a required exit as there are 4 large exits, one at each corner. Even with a fire watch, can they remove all the barricades fast enough?
The 4 main exits are also barricaded by straps and blocked by security devices. Never fully open to what I would believe to be the required egress inches.
Have thought about calling the Fire Marshal many times.
Our jurisdiction has this problem as well. If it is marked as an exit it can’t be locked. Also may alter travel distance and common path of travel. Some try to say that a staff member is constantly available unlock the door. But I’m am hoping there will be comments offering reasonalble alternatives or solutions. If I can take my FM hat off for a moment, it really galls me that stores have to lock everything up or stop stocking the shelves to stop rampant thievery.
I agree with you! The theft is absolutely crazy!
– Lori
My local grocery store does this at 9 PM every night, complete with signs in front of the door. I am interested to see the response from AHJs on the page.
I’ve seen the same thing at local grocery stores later at night.
The common denominator may be ignorance. Basic building fire-safety should be taught along with reading, writing, and arithmatic.
I would love to see that happen, Kent!
– Lori