In yesterday’s post, I wrote about whether lock indicators are “special knowledge” or “common knowledge”…in my opinion, locks with visual indicators do not require special knowledge, they are common knowledge.  Building occupants intuitively know how to exit using a door with a lever handle or panic hardware.  Although the model codes don’t mention indicators specifically (yet), the hardware is code-compliant for egress, fire protection, and accessibility.

We’re already starting to see locks with indicators installed in the field, and they will become even more common in the coming months and years.  The other day I was at a children’s hospital in California, and I took today’s Fixed-it Friday photos.  This indicator lock is installed on the waiting room door for the vision center.  Based on the other hardware in the building, it looks like the new lock was retrofitted to an existing door, to help staff ensure the lock status during a lockdown.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on yesterday’s post – special knowledge or common knowledge??

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