By Robert Trotter, CBO, CFM
According to the 2000 edition of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, “Experience indicates that panic seldom develops, even in the presence of danger, as long as occupants of buildings are moving towards exits that they can see…” However, the stoppage of egress travel such as an exit door locked with a padlock (as shown on a marked exit door in an industrial occupancy of a hospital) is potentially conducive to panic. Healthcare occupancies as well as business, industrial and storage occupancies are required to comply with the means of egress provisions for locks, latches and alarm devices for doors. Section 7.2.1.5.1 of the Life Safety Code® states, “Doors shall be arranged to be opened readily from the egress side whenever the building is occupied.” It is also important that locks, if provided, “shall not require the use of a key, tool, or special knowledge or effort from the egress side.”
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