Highlights of NFPA 101

The Life Safety Code - 1997 Regarding Doors, Frames, & Hardware

Locks, Latches, and Alarm Devices (5-2.1.5)

1. locks shall not require the use of a key, tool, or special knowledge or effort for operation from the inside of the building...
   • except as specifically allowed by NFPA 101
   • exterior doors shall be permitted to have key-operated locks from the egress side as long as:
   • exception is permitted in chapters 8 - 13 for the specific occupancy.
   • On or adjacent to the door there is a sign "THIS DOOR TO REMAIN OPEN WHEN THE BUILDING IS OCCUPIED".
   • Locking device is of a type that is readily distinguishable as locked, and
   • Key is immediately available to any occupant inside the building when door is locked
2. where permitted by chapters 8-31, key operation shall be permitted, provided that the key can’t be removed when the door is locked from the egress side

Stairwell Reentry (2-5.1.5.2)

1. every stair enclosure door shall permit reentry to the interior of the building, or an automatic release shall be provided to unlock all stair doors simultaneously upon initiation of the building fire alarm system
2. selected doors shall be permitted to have locking hardware, provided that
   • at least 2 levels are unlocked
   • there aren’t more than 4 stories between unlocked floors
   • the top or next to the top floor is unlocked
   • signage on the stair side identifies unlocked doors
   • signage on the stair side of locked doors indicated the location of the nearest unlocked door in each direction
3. stairs serving less than 4 stories do not need to comply
4. existing installations as permitted in chapters 8-31 do not need to comply
5. stairs serving a building permitted to have a single exit in accordance with chapters 8-32 do not need to comply
6. compliance is not necessary where specifically allowed by chapters 12 or 14

Releasing Devices (5-2.1.5.3)

1. latch or fastening device shall be provided with a releasing device having an obvious method of operation under all lighting conditions.
2. releasing mechanism shall be located not more than 48” a.f.f.
3. doors shall be openable with not more than one releasing operation
   • exception: egress doors from individual living units and guest rooms of residential occupancies can require 2 releasing operations, as long as no key is required for egress and both mechanisms are less than 48” a.f.f.
4. each leaf of a pair in a means of egress shall have it’s own releasing device, and each device has to operate independently (can’t require 1 device to be released before the other), except
   • where auto flush bolts are used, the door leaf with the flush bolts shall have no doorknob or surface-mounted hardware
5. no additional locking device (padlock, hasp, chain, deadbolt, etc.) shall be installed on a door which requires panic hardware

Delayed Egress Locks (5-2.1.6.1)

1. approved, listed, delayed egress locks shall be permitted in buildings protected by an approved fire detection system or sprinkler system, where permitted by chapers 8-31, provided that
   • doors unlock upon actuation of the fire protection system
   • doors unlock upon loss of power controlling the locking mechanism
   • door unlock upon disablement of the fire protection system
   • an irreversible process releases the lock within 15 seconds (ahj can approve a delay of up to 30 seconds) upon application to the release device (15 lb. for not more than 3 seconds)
   • initiation of the release process activates a signal in the vicinity of the door
   • after release, locking shall be by manual means only
   • signage on egress side of door "PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS. DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS"

Access-Controlled Egress Doors (5-2.1.6.2)

1. where permitted in chapters 8-32, doors in the means of egress shall be permitted to have an approved entrance and egress access control system, provided that
   • a sensor on the egress side unlocks the door upon detection of an occupant approaching the door
   • loss of power to the sensor unlocks the door
   • loss of power to the lock unlocks the door
   • manual release device adjacent to the door unlocks the door
   • manual release device must have signage "PUSH TO EXIT"
   • manual release device results in direct interruption of power to the lock, and door remains unlocked for at least 30 seconds
   • fire protection system automatically unlocks the door, and the door remains unlocked until the fire protection system is manually reset

Panic Hardware (5-2.1.7)

1. actuating portion of device extends at least 1/2 the width of the door leaf
2. device must be mounted between 30” and 44” a.f.f.
3. requirements for which doors must have panic devices are listed within the individual occupancy chapters - means of egress doors in assembly and education occupancies with an occupant load of 100 or more persons shall be permitted to have a latch or lock only if it is panic hardware

Closers (5-2.1.5.3)

1. doors designed to normally be kept closed in a means of egress shall be a self-closing door and shall not be secured in the open position, except where allowed by NFPA 101 or the ahj, doors can be automatic closing, permitted that
   • upon release of the hold-open mechanism, the door becomes self-closing
   • door can be easily released manually
   • automatic releasing mechanism is activated by the building fire protection system
   • upon loss of power to the hold-open device, the door becomes self-closing
   • release by means of smoke detection of one door in a stair enclosure results in closing of all doors serving that stair

Note: A standard door closer with no hold-open mechanism is self-closing. A door closer with an electric or battery-operated hold-open mechanism actuated by the fire protection system is automatic-closing.