Delayed Egress Considerations

The International Building Code (IBC) defines a delayed egress locking system as a non-mandatory locking system that is permitted on egress doors under specific applications. The system operates in conjunction with existing locks and latches as are required by code. The delayed egress lock provides an approved means of restraining/releasing an egress door that is otherwise required to remain operable from the egress side.

A delayed egress device is designed to delay passage through a doorway, typically on the path of egress for a specified period of time (15 or 30 seconds). Delaying egress can result in a life safety issue if, for example, the delay occurs when the building is on fire and people cannot exit for an additional 15 seconds.

As a result, before delayed egress devices are installed in commercial or institutional facilities, authorization must be granted by appropriate authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ). The AHJ enforces the accepted standards for fire and life safety as stated in building, fire, life safety and local codes. The building owner or tenant cannot legally have a delayed egress device installed, even if it is installed according to code, without first receiving consent.

The optimum way to go through the process is to first discuss the installation with the AHJs. AHJ is a nebulous term as they can be federal, state, county, city or local departmental officials or officers of the fire department, building department, etc. "They" as defined by the NFPA (paraphrased) is the organization, office, or individual responsible for approving materials, installation or a procedure.

A delayed egress electromagnetic locking system was to be installed onto a pair of cross corridor, double egress doors separating the hospital emergency waiting room from the emergency patient rooms. Entry into the emergency patient rooms is through the right hand door. Egress from the emergency patient rooms is through the opposing right hand door.

The opening has 90 minute rated Adams Rite RITE hollow metal doors equipped with Adams Rite Top Rod Only Exit Devices, Sargent 351 Door Closers, Markar Continuous Hinges, Markar Door Edge Guard, an Adams Rite 4612 Power Transfer Device and an HID MultiClass RP40 credential reader.

To control egress on the right hand door leading into the emergency patient rooms, a Security Door Controls (SDC) Exit Check Delayed Egress System Model 1511SNDKV is to be installed.

This surface-mount, SDC Delayed Egress electromagnetic lock has up to 1650 pounds holding force. To be compliant with the IBC, state building codes and Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), the 1511SNDKV has manual power-up and reset only at the door. No auto power-up is permitted according to the California Building Code (CBC).

Note: The integral key switch does not activate the alarm. The function of the key switch is to place the lock in the Bypass or unlocked mode, allowing someone to enter/exit for extended periods of time. Resetting the key switch is required to re-arm the devices. The second function of the key switch is to manually reset/re-arm the device after alarm activation.

The Request-to-Exit (REX) time is selectable. The delayed egress device will re-lock and re-arm after REX time expires. If power is lost, the delayed egress mechanism will sound a single audible chirp when power is restored.

Activation is started by applying no more than 15 pounds of pressure against the exit bar or door to release the door latch, allowing the door to move slightly. The 1511SNDKV’s internal trigger will recognize slight door movement. A short nuisance delay period is then initiated; a pre-activation warning tone is sounded and the integral display will start the countdown. After the nuisance period has expired, the countdown becomes irreversible, ensuring that the door will unlock after the delay period without further user intervention.

The SDC 1511NDKV’s digital display, audible alarm and voice annunciation provide the warnings, countdown and time of door release for people without prior knowledge of the lock's operation.

Code Requirements

As locksmiths, we must follow the codes when installing delayed egress locks. To install a delayed egress device in the State of California, the device and the installer must meet the requirements set forth in the California Building Code and California Fire Code, based on the IBC and the International Fire Code (IFC).

For the purpose of this article, I will be using the 2013 California Building Code, Title 24, Part 2, December 2013, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, Section 1008 Doors, Gates and Turnstiles, Subsection 1008.1.9.7 Delayed Egress Locks.

I am including paraphrased versions of the above codes that are pertinent to the installation of a delayed egress device. Where I removed portions of a sentence, I have included three dots. New language appears in italics. The full texts are available online at www.bsc.ca.gov/.

At the end of the Subsection, I will the discuss the items which were important to the AHJ and what was required to have a delayed egress device on this particular door for this particular application in this hospital. Each installation and AHJ will have its own unique discussions and solutions.

Chapter 10 Means of Egress, Section 1008 Doors, Gates and Turnstiles, Subsection 1008.1.9.7 Delayed egress locks. Approved, listed, delayed egress locks shall be permitted to be installed on doors serving any occupancy except Group A, E, H and L occupancies.

Exceptions: Group A occupancy courtrooms are permitted to utilize delayed egress locks.Buildings with delayed egress locks shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system … and an approved automatic smoke detection system, … provided that the doors unlock in accordance with Items 1 through 9 below. A building occupant shall not be required to pass through more than one door equipped with a delayed egress lock before entering an exit.

Delayed egress devices shall conform to all of the following:

The doors unlock upon actuation of the automatic sprinkler system or automatic smoke detection system.
The doors unlock upon loss of electrical power to any one of the following:

2.1. The egress-control device itself.

2.2. The smoke detection system.

2.3. Means of egress illumination … .

The door locks shall have the capability of being unlocked by a signal from a switch located in an approved location.
The initiation of an irreversible process which will release the latch in not more than 15 seconds when a force of not more than 15 pounds (67 N) is applied for 1 second to the release device. Initiation of the irreversible process shall activate an audible signal in the vicinity of the door. Once the door lock has been released by the application of force to the releasing device, relocking shall be by manual means only. The time delay established for each egress-control device shall not be field adjustable…. Exception: In facilities housing Alzheimer's or dementia clients, a delay of not more than 30 seconds is permitted.
A sign shall be provided on the door located above and within 12 inches (305 mm) of the release device reading: "KEEP PUSHING. THIS DOOR WILL OPEN IN 15 [30] SECONDS. ALARM WILL SOUND." Sign lettering shall be at least 1 inch (25 mm) in height and shall have a stroke of not less than ¹/₈ inch (3.2 mm).

5.1 A tactile sign shall also be provided in Braille and raised characters ….

Emergency lighting shall be provided at the door.
Actuation of the panic bar or other door-latching hardware shall activate an audible signal at the door.
The unlatching shall not require more than one operation.
Regardless of the means of deactivation, relocking of the egress-control device shall be by manual means only at the door.

Hospital Application

For our application, Item 1 is answered by the building owner or agent as to whether the building has automatic sprinkler system or automatic smoke detection system that upon actuation unlocks the doors.

Item 2 requires the door to unlock upon loss of electrical power, which it does.

Item 2.1 is the delayed egress electromagnet is Fail Safe. Therefore when power is removed, the unit deactivates, unlocking the door.

Item 2.2 is satisfied by running the power through a relay that is controlled by the smoke detection system. Likewise, a relay from the fire/life safety system will release the lock for uninhibited egress in an emergency.

Item 2.3 can be answered by the building owner or agent as to if the means of egress illumination loses power, will the fire panel remove power to the delayed egress device.

Item 3 requires a switch installed in an approved location that unlocks the delayed egress device. For this installation, the AHJ required two switches, one located in the security office and one located at the reception desk of the hospital emergency waiting room. In addition, the switch wire was required to be enclosed within wiremold, which is a flexible channel concealer for the wires that has an adhesive backing. The wiremold was required only for the under counter portion of the wiring.

Item 4 requires the irreversible process to follow specific procedures. The SDC 1511S Series meets the criterion.

Item 5 requires a sign be provided on the door in a specific location using specified wording, letter size and stroke.

Item 5.1 requires tactile sign shall also be provided in Braille and raised characters. The Braille sign can be part of the sign "KEEP PUSHING. THIS DOOR WILL OPEN IN 15 [30] SECONDS. ALARM WILL SOUND."

According to NFPA 80 Section 4.1.4, signage cannot be placed on glazing and signage cannot take up more than 5 percent of a door face. For a door that measures 7 feet by 4 feet, following this criteria limits sign size to 201 square inches or less (roughly 10" tall by 20" wide). The smaller the door, the smaller the sign.

Item 6 requires emergency lighting shall be provided at the door. Because this is a hospital, emergency lighting is provided at all egress paths and patient care areas.

Item 7 requires actuation of the panic bar to activate an audible signal at the door. The SDC 1511S Series meets the criterion.

Item 8 requires unlatching to require a single operation. For this installation, pressing the exit device once the SDC 1511SNDKV magnet removes power and opens the door.

Item 9 requires relocking of the egress-control device to be by manual means only at the door regardless of the means of deactivation. Only after power restoration and/or fire life safety panel reset, may the door be relocked by actuating the standard built-in key reset or optional wall mounted key switch, push switch or digital keypad located adjacent to the door. The SDC 1511S Series meets the criterion, having a key switch on the bottom of the device.

Delayed egress locking mechanisms typically have several unique forms of operation. While the SDC 1511S Series is armed, when someone attempts to operate an exit device or push open a door equipped with a delayed egress locking mechanism, that actiion will initiate a nuisance alarm. After the nuisance delay has expired, code options include NA, ND, NH, NC = 0 or 1 second periods of time. Contact manufacturer for specifics.

An irreversible alarm sounds and the timed countdown begins. The lock remains locked, preventing the door from opening, for a predetermined 15 (or 30 at AHJ discretion) seconds. The alarm continues to sound during the countdown. After the delay time has elapsed, the delayed egress door can be opened by activating the release mechanism. The notification (alarm) continues to sound until the mechanism is reset by a knowing act. This is normally accomplished using the key to rearm the device.

Free egress is provided when power is lost or the delayed egress locking mechanism is turned off (bypassed) at the key switch. To power (reset/arm), the door must be fully shut, and then the key switch must be rotated from the "off" position passing the "on" position to the "reset" position. The cylinder is spring-loaded and will snap back to the "on" automatically. The magnet will now be energized.

The SDC 1511SNDKV key switch is located on the bottom of the delayed egress electromagnetic lock. When the system is in the armed "locked" position, the keyway will be perpendicular to the door. When the system's voltage is bypassed "unlocked", the keyway is parallel to the door. To immediate reset/arm the system, the key is rotated counterclockwise one-quarter turn past the "locked" position.

Another permitted egress outcome is when a person presents an authorized credential to a reader to gain access. The reader momentarily releases the magnetic lock and shunts the exit delay system as well as the alarm contacts, permitting passage through the doorway. As the device is in the released condition, it is automatically rearms after the set (release) time. This method does not activate the alarm.

Meeting code requirements will become commonplace as technology increases in the access control sector. By gaining the knowledge and expertise necessary, you can compete for larger and larger jobs. Installing a delayed egress electromagnetic lock is no harder than installing a conventional electromagnetic lock. And think about the benefits.

Yes, there is additional work required to install a delayed egress device, which requires meeting with the LAHJ. However, getting to know the authority, treating them with the respect due and being able to meet the requirements will provide benefits. It is important to remember that ultimately the AHJ has final say on an installation of this type despite complete conformance to applicable code.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or the following manufacturers mentioned in this article.