Internal fire escape door security

[dar1]

Hello all, I was hoping you could provide some advice on the below please.

We have a building which is split in two and though owned by the same organisation, are separate entities (a museum and a library) both obviously being open to the public.  At present, the two parts of the building are joined by a fire door which would provide the alternative escape route for both sides of the building depending on which side was on fire.  My concern is that due to security issues (primarily the museum not wanting people to come through from the library), at present the fire door is secured with a break glass for key box located either side of the door.  I am not comfortable with this arrangement and would like to recommend an alternative option that is not reliant on key use.

Could somebody please recommend an option for securing an internal fire escape door from both sides that offers the security they need but also quick use during an evacuation? 

My initial thoughts had been to see whether the door could be linked to the fire alarm to release on activation or power failure but this would then mean staff would need a swipe card/keypad entry to get to either side.   Alternatively, I had considered seeing whether the door could be alarmed both sides.  Both are options I guess but I was hoping somebody might have any better/obvious ideas I've missed or could confirm this would be appropriate?

Many thanks,
Darren
 

[Galeon]

You could mag lock the door and fail it open via the fire alarm , and have a green manual release either side of the door as belt and braces.
In relation to security , where I have worked before in Museums , they pick up the door with the security system and keep it alarmed at all times , so it would never go unnoticed that the door has been opened , for any reason.

[Wiz]

Galeon's mag-lock suggestion is the typical solution for this type of scenario.

The mag-lock would release automatically on fire alarm and any failure of the power to the mag-lock.

The green BGU/mcp/call point (more properly called Green Emergency Door Release), if installed, would allow the mag-lock to be released if all else failed. Obviously, there are security implications with fitting these devices, but they are now included in a recommendation within BS. The issues and various ideas surrounding the use of the green EDRs have been discussed many times on this forum - just type green call point / green mcp etc into the site search facility to find these previous discussions. I personally feel the benefits of the green EDRs are overated in most circumstances (particularly where they compromise security) but there are those on this forum who rave (literally!) about their necessity in every circumstance (and double-pole versions in every case!)

I note you say that fitting a swipe card/keypad for staff will be an issue if the maglocks are used. Well it seems the staff must use a key to use the door at present, so I can't see why it would be a bigger problem to have prox/swipe/keypad control. In fact some such access control systems can also provide a trace of just who has gone through the door and when (which might prove useful from a security point of view). Alternatively a keyswitch could be used to overide the mag-lock and this would surely provide similar to what you already have, but with the extra automatic release of maglock on fire alarm

If you go the route of alarms on the door you may wish to consider the Hoyles Exitalarm range which will monitor the doors being opened and sound an alarm but also allow the staff to pass through without an alarm by first entering a suitable code number.

[AnthonyB]

Do staff have to regularly use this route or can it be reserved for fire only?

The mag lock or alarmed door solutions are fine, to give you an further low tech option you can keep a key type lock if it has emergency override and ASSA/Union domes can be set up for this (key for normal use, break dome and thumbturn to override in emergency) as well as override latches behind glass 'break-glass' panels. These low tech devices are not panic proof through and the likely type and numbers of persons liable to resort to the route may influence your choice.

Relying on keys in glass fronted boxes died a death years ago.

[dar1]

Dear All,
Apologies for the delay in getting back to thank you all.  Your help and advice has been very useful in assisting me with making recommendations.
Regards,
Darren