When I started iDigHardware in 2009, one of my goals was to make it less painful to learn about doors and hardware, and in particular, the codes related to door openings.  Although some of my more technical articles get a little detailed, I think I’ve accomplished my goal (do you agree?).  Another result of this site is that AHJs are learning more about how door hardware works, which is fantastic!

One way I try to make the learning less painful is to share photos and talk about the applications from various perspectives, reinforcing what would otherwise be a lot of words in a code book.  By showing how something doesn’t comply with the codes, I can help reinforce what is required.  And poco a poquito, the code requirements get absorbed in our brains.

I’ve already shared a few posts on my recent trip to Colombia – one on openings in the floor, and two on the “egress doors” serving our AirBNBs in Santa Marta and Cali.  I want to clarify that I’m not saying that these applications are not code compliant per the Colombian codes.  I’m explaining how the US model codes and referenced standards would address these situations.  To be honest, it’s not easy to find doors with such obvious “violations” in the US, which is a great thing!

During my trip, I was in the Bogotá airport four different times.  Our first flight arrived at 5 a.m., so I was a little fuzzy and missed an opportunity with the delayed egress lock in the photos below.  As you can see, the signage on the door refers to a button that needs to be pushed in order to start the 15-second timer.  Where is the button?  Who knows?  I was still asleep.  BUT – the point here is the US model codes require the following: An attempt to egress shall initiate an irreversible process that shall allow such egress in not more than 15 seconds when a physical effort to exit is applied to the egress side door hardware for not more than 3 seconds. Requiring building occupants to push a button on the wall would not be compliant with the US model codes.  Delayed egress locks are typically either panic hardware with the delayed egress system built in, or electromagnetic locks with the delay that is activated by movement of the door.

The next time we were in the airport, I saw a pair of doors with what looks like delayed egress panic hardware.  At that moment I was playing a game with the kids where they try to identify whether a door has “real” Allegion hardware not.  The interesting thing about this opening is that the language on the sign is exactly what is required by the US model codes – Push until alarm sounds, door can be opened in 15 seconds.  But the sign also has the arrow that was on the first door’s sign, which referenced a button.  IMO, the arrow just confuses things.  Is it pointing to the pull station?  A nonexistent button?  Or is it indicating that you can exit through the door?

And finally, in on of the terminals we saw a REAL Von Duprin Chexit (protective film still installed), with the included signage installed on the door.  As required by the I-Codes, the sign was above and within 12 inches of the door hardware (the NFPA code require the sign to be located on the egress side of the door adjacent to the release device).

One more thing about delayed egress locks in airports…the model codes limit the use of these locks to certain occupancy types.  They are not permitted by the I-Codes in assembly occupancies, with the exception of secondary egress doors in courtrooms (there is more on that in this article).

An airport terminal is considered an assembly occupancy, so technically the model codes would not allow delayed egress locks on the doors serving these spaces.  BUT – in the US, regulations require delayed egress locks on certain airport doors for security reasons.  Years ago, I asked an airport architect how this conflict was addressed, and he said that every delayed egress door serving their terminals had to be approved by the local AHJ.  It’s kind of interesting that this hasn’t been modified in the I-Codes.

So…did you (painlessly) learn anything from this post?  🙂

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