© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Property Security, Emergency Response, and Fire Protection Systems Chapter 13

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Learning Objectives Identify and describe the three components to the means of egress List and describe the override requirements for exit stairway doors in high-rise buildings List and describe the requirements for delayed egress locks List and describe the requirements for access controlled egress doors

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Learning Objectives (continued) Describe the purpose of an emergency building entrance system Describe what is typically inside an emergency building entrance system List and describe the different methods of property access through security gates and vehicle barriers

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Introduction Building security systems can inhibit the ability of people to exit the building during an emergency –Emergency responders must be able to access a facility at any time to investigate emergency calls Model codes outline methods for ingress and egress Security systems must be tied to fire protection systems to allow free egress

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Means of Egress Means of egress: continuous and unobstructed path of travel used by building occupants Three parts to the means of egress: –Exit access –Exit –Exit discharge

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Figure 13-1 The three parts of the means of egress

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Exit Access Exit access: portion of the means of egress that leads to the exit –Any useable space on any floor Travel distance: maximum allowable distance a person must move within the exit access Limiting travel distance minimizes a person’s exposure to a fire condition Travel distance determined by occupancy condition and presence of sprinkler system

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Exit Exit: portion of the means of egress separated from the other parts of the building –Fire-resistant or fire-rated construction provides a protected path to the exit discharge Exit stairways or horizontal exits built to protect people from fire No requirement for fire-rated construction in one-level, standalone buildings

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Exit Discharge Exit discharge: portion of the means of egress between the exit and the public way Once a person leaves an exit, the outside area from the exit door leads away from the building

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Maintaining the Means of Egress Some occupancies offer greater exiting challenges than others Over the past 100 years, many injuries and deaths have been exit-related –Even with advancements, egress is a challenge Adding ingress and egress control devices further complicates the exiting process Inspectors periodically mistake locked exit doors as building or fire code violations

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Exit Stairway Doors Interior exit stairways doors required to be openable from both sides Under certain conditions, doors may be locked –Example: stairway discharge door must be openable from the egress side Locking from the ingress side permissible Stairway doors must remained latched so they do not blow open to allow smoke to enter

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Stairway Doors in High-Rise Buildings High-rise buildings require additional fire protection due to selective evacuation Emergency responders must be able to unlock all stairway doors from fire command –Turn a key or flip a switch from the fire alarm panel Doors must remain latched to operate as fire doors Telephones or two-way communication systems must be installed in the stairways

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Delayed Egress Locks Latching device holds secure until person applies force for one second –Example: psychiatric care facilities that need to prevent patients from walking out unnoticed Requirements to follow to comply with the model codes: –Controlled doors must unlock on sprinkler/fire detection system activation –Controlled doors must unlock on loss of power –Controlled doors must unlock by signal from fire command center

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Delayed Egress Locks (continued) Requirements to follow to comply with the model codes: (continued) –Applying 15 pounds of force for one second starts a process that releases the door in 15 seconds Alarm sounds near the door –Relocking the door is only by manual means –Sign posted above and within twelve inches of the release device gives operation instructions –There must be emergency lights at the door so the sign can be read

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Figure 13-4 Door equipped with delayed egress hardware

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Access-Controlled Egress Doors Use and occupancy determines whether this type of security hardware is permissible Requirements for access-controlled egress doors similar to delayed egress Certain occupancies may be required to leave main entrance doors unlocked Consult local building and fire officials to determine system requirements

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Fire Department Access Systems Forcible entry used by first responders when ready access not available –Necessary to reduce operational delays Emergency building entrance systems provide method of entry that is non-destructive Safe-like security box anchored to the wall at building entrance –Holds rapid entry keys, important documents Use a proprietary key specific to a jurisdiction

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Security Gates Emergency responders must be able to enter property with little or no delay When no security guards, gate and barrier operation is by: –Siren-sensing device –Proprietary fire department access key –Access code or card –Radio signal –Interface with the fire protection system

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Siren Sensors Most commonly used detection and access system As fire department vehicle approaches the gate, sounds a siren tone for a few seconds Sensor mounted near the gate detects and operates the gate mechanism Major benefit is that it allows personnel to stay in their vehicle –Reduces response time and increases safety

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Figure Siren Sensor

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Proprietary Fire Department Access Key Some security gates require a key to operate Fire departments require the key to be the same as the one used for building access system Control system fitted with a lock core switch –Matches the fire department’s emergency access key pattern Not as efficient as the siren sensor –Operates as a backup to the siren sensor

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Access Cards and Access Codes Least desirable access method Requires responders to leave the vehicle, open the security box, and locate a card or a code Access codes and cards may no longer be valid Fire personnel lose valuable time, placing life and property in greater danger

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Radio Frequency Sensor Similar to siren system, but uses the fire department radio Fire department radio keys a predetermined channel for a few seconds –Sensor mounted near the gate detects the frequency and operates the gate mechanism Allows fire personnel to stay in the vehicle Important to periodically inspect

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Fire Protection System Interface Security gate control mechanisms connect to the fire alarm system Simple process requires an alarm initiation device to activate Device is a detector or water flow switch –Rarely a manual pull station Once signaled, the gate opens before the fire department arrives Reduces security

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning Summary Building and occupant security a priority for some organizations Security devices may hinder emergency response Model codes publish installation packages that require system overrides Emergency building entrance systems provide necessary keys, codes, or tools to enter Critical factor that could be life or death: time!