Pupil disappearing through fire exit

[Guest ScottL]

Hi, we have a child that has special needs and often escapes through one of our fire emergency exits which has a push bar. To stop this from happening can we install a simple thumb turn or single action bolt at the top to prevent this from happening.

[AnthonyB]

Up to risk assessment - some places with similar issues use magnetic locks linked to the fire alarm in addition to the push bars.

If the exit is serving less than 60 persons and there is suitable staffing to manage the fact that there would be two actions instead of one to open the door then it's not impossible to justify.

Consideration should be given to whether the risk to the absconder from their ease of escape is greater than the risk from the exit no longer being panic proof and that in any case the risk from the latter is not itself intolerable.