Fire exits—emergency key boxes

[Nimrod]

At one time it was quite common to find a key in a glass-fronted box next to a locked emergency exit door. If the door was to be opened in an emergency the glass would be broken and the key used to open the locked door.

Times have moved on and there are many better ways of controlling the opening of such doors making emergency key boxes redundant.

However, I see that these items are still readily available and I wonder if strictly speaking they continue to meet current legal requirements and therefore their use cannot be prevented.

Your wisdom, advice and comments will be gratefully received.

Best wishes

B:o)

[AnthonyB]

They are used as emergency key boxes for fire extinguisher cabinets and fire panel keys as well as none fire emergency use such as plant room access keys, etc and with such a wide range of potential uses other than for MoE it would be difficult to have them withdrawn.

It would be nice to have them require to be sold with disclaimers not to be used for MoE purposes, but sadly can't see that happening without another Woolies or Summerland.

[Nimrod]

Anthony,

Thanks for your response and from it would I be correct in concluding their use in connection with MoE complies with the regulations and if this is the case insurers and fire officer couldn't insist that they not be used?
B:o)

[nearlythere]

Anthony,

Thanks for your response and from it would I be correct in concluding their use in connection with MoE complies with the regulations and if this is the case insurers and fire officer couldn't insist that they not be used?
B:o)

Hi Nimrod.The Regulations require adequate means of escape. The view of the enforcement authority would likely be that a key in a box would not be an appropriate means for that purpose for a variety reasons.

[Nimrod]

Nearlythere,

Thank you for your post. Most helpful.

So whether such a key box could be used is not a black and white issue but one that depends on the opinion of the enforcement authority which means different authorities even personnel within the same authority could have different views.

Sounds pretty unsatisfactory.

BTW Anthony implies key boxes were implicated in the Woolies and Summerland tradegies. Is that correct?

Again thanks for sharing your knowledge.

B:o)

[AnthonyB]

What I am saying is that they complied with older legislation, but progressively became unacceptable in altered premises from the 90's onwards - existing usage remained in many premises because of the statutory bar imposed by fire certificates (if a key box was accepted as OK in 1979 on a fire cert & the premises were still not materially changed in 1992, the key box would remain & the fire authority couldn't enforce it's change).

They would not be deemed to comply with current legislation and benchmark guidance precludes them, but their sale is legal as they have numerous other uses.

In both Summerland & Woolworths fatalities were found grouped against storey exits onto escape stairs with the key in box method of escape - the inquiries suggest that panic bolts would have ensured their escape

[Nimrod]

AnthonyB,

Thank you for your detailed answer.

A most helpful and dare I say a text-book answer.

Again many thanks for your support.

Best wishes

Bob

[Big T]

I have seen companies asked to remove key operated Final escapes in enforcment notieces and letters of deficiencies from various brigades.

Generally speaking final exits should be easily openable without the use of a key.