Code for door locking and release mechanisms

[Douglas Mason]

I am a senior consultant with C S Todd & Associates Ltd, who have been commissioned by BSI to draft a new code of practice on electrical actuation of door locking and release mechansims. The code of practice will be published as BS 7273-4. As part of our contract, we are required to seek comments from interested parties. The code of practice will deal with the electrical interface between a fire alarm system and devices/arrangements to release fire doors that are held open, unlock electronic locks on fire exit doors, or cause powered sliding doors on escape routes to open permanently. If anyone has technical comments on what such a code of practice should recommend, we would be pleased to receive them. As I am not a regular user of this Bulletin Board, they should be sent by post to C S Todd & Associates 74 Crooksbury Road, Runfold, Farnham, Surrey GU10 1QD or by email to cstodd@btconnect.com, or to my own email, which I think shows up on the posting.

[kurnal]

One aspect not in your description but which I feel is relevant are those powered sliding doors that have no electrical resilience or operation in the event of power failure but incorporate hinged break out sections, often 100% glass panels. I have encountered some of these where the force needed to open the break out leaves was well in excess of 100 Newtons – indeed the glass bowed so much I feared it would shatter before it opened. Whilst the approved documents adequately deals with the forces needed to open a standard door I feel these types can slip through the net, and your BS is relevant because the break out option is an alternative to other fail safe arrangements that would otherwise be a requirement.

[Graeme]

how about interfacing to access control systems that have fire inputs on their control panels.
I have also came across sites with stand alone keypads controlling a hold closed magnet on a fire escape route.
Also door intercom systems on the main entry door,athough they came be opened as a normal door from the inside,should they drop out in fire condition?

[Martin Burford]

Hello Douglas

Just wondering why a new  guidance is needed.....What's wrong with the IFE Guidance on electronic locks to doors required for M of E ?
Conqueror

[afterburner]

What about electronic locking in palces of lawful detention which does not release in the open position on either the failure of electricity supply nor actuation of the fire alarm system?

[Markbr]

Hi Douglas, can you kindly calrify if the scope of your work is to look at hold open mechanisms and their properties or just electrically powered locks?

[fred]

I gave Colin a hard copy of our fire safety leaflet on the the provision of automatic hold open devices when he was in Devon a few weeks ago - it may be useful