Fire exit with thumb lock

[Guest Susie]

The management company for the block of flats (approx 20) where I live has replaced a faulty push pad with a blank plate on the front door/fire exit so you now need to push a small button with one hand and simultaneously the door with the other in order to exit. There are a number of families with small childrenin the block and I am not convinced this is safe. Can you advise? Also what is the relevant legislation/ regulations? 

Thank you 

[Tom Sutton]

It seems to be a magnetic lock and if so it should meet the requirements of BS 7273 part 4 which would require a manual override. (green box)

[AnthonyB]

Or worse an electromechanical lock which would not be permitted on escape routes where it relies on the release of the electrical keep as they are known to jam under pressure. They are only suitable where from the inside the latch can be withdrawn without the keep release by the form of mechanical means such as a thumb turn.

[Guest Daisyfingers]

Hi Tom
One of our final exit doors at my workplace has two thumb latches and a drop bolt fitted, I've told them that they should only have one thumb latch and all other locking devices should be removed to comply with the RRFSO.
They are refusing to do this as they recon it would make the door to easy for intruders to break-in, so therefor they don't need to remove them.
Who is right please?

[Tom Sutton]

Drop bolts are acceptable during the time the premises is unoccupied but they should be withdrawn during the time the premises are occupied. A major problem is they are sometimes not opened during the time the premises are occupied resulting in the Responsible Person committing an offence.

Consequently we used to require the RP to remove the stop that prevents the barrel from being removed, so the bolt could be hung up on a board, we used to call a chain/bolt board in easy view, this ensured the RP was not committing an offence.

[Guest Thumb Lock]

Hi Tom.

A small laboratory room at work has 2 doors. Both are internal and do not open to the outside.

Recently one was deemed a fire exit only, this door has a thumb lock on the inside.

Can the thumb lock be used?

Only staff use this room. Maximum 3 people at any one time and in total 6 people are permitted to use the room.

Thanks Mike.

[Tom Sutton]

It would appear to be acceptable, but to be certain you would need to study the full layout of the floor. Thumb turns are accectable but you should use the lever type used on modern rim locks.

[Guest Thumb Lock]

Thanks for the reply very much appreciated.

Are you able to provide a link to the type of acceptable thumb lock. Just so I know what to look for.

Thanks Mike.

[Tom Sutton]

What I did not ask was, is the room a high fire risk or is there an explosion risk, this would change the situation.

[Guest GUEST]

Hi, could you tell me  i have had a new front door fitted by a reputable company but it doesnt have a thumb lock.  I have 5 children in the house and was only supplied 3 keys ( 1 of these keys had to be used to allow us to exit the property).  Surely in this day and age under fire regs a thumb lock should be fitted as standard.  I have called them back and for an additional charge they will come and change lock to a thumb one(  If i used a locksmith my 10 year warranty would become invalid).  Is it right that it doesnt have to be a thumb lock by law?

Thank you

 

[Tom Sutton]

As far as I am aware there is no legislation requiring rim locks be fitted to front doors, but there is guidance that requires doors, needed for means of escape, should be easily opened without the need of a key. What surprises me is that you didn't require the joiner to fit a rim and dead lock which seems a normal arrangement for front doors.