Meeting Codes and Safeguarding Patients in a Healthcare Facility

Managing keys can be a problem for many people. End-users misplace or lose their keys, or leave them home. Facility management never actually gets around to setting up a key management system.

On many doors, non-controlled keyways are employed, further weakening the security management process since keys may be copied by anyone at any time.

In many healthcare institutional environments, locks are on doors to control access by unauthorized individuals to storage areas, rather than for life safety related use or to inhibit egress.

Of course there are many situations within institutions where egress must also be prevented or controlled. However, controlling or preventing egress is in direct conflict with the Golden Always Free Egress Rule. 

Under all of the published fire-code requirements, inhibiting free egress is not permitted. One example is the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Life Safety Code 101 which says that in general every person within the building must be able to exit all doors in their path to the outside without “the use of a key, a tool, or special knowledge or effort for operation from the egress side” (NFPA 101, 7.2.1.5.2).

For doors with electrically operated locks where there is no integral mechanical means by which the door may be manually unlocked to achieve egress, the requirements are more involved.

In most situations the electronics are there to enable control of access. When the locking device is an electric strike or electrified exit device or lever, there is no problem since these items are typically designed for free egress.

When an electromagnetic lock is used, there is no integral mechanical way to release it, so provision must be made so that egress can be made under all conditions. This requires electrical switches, sensors and control devices be installed on the egress side of the opening to readily unlock the door and enable free egress.

Depending on the building occupancy, the building code in force in the jurisdiction where the structure is located, and perhaps most importantly, the opinion of the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (LAHJ) will determine the exact requirements for the project.

Most of the criteria addressing permissible access-control measures stipulate that door locks (from the egress side) have to be released upon events such as activation of the building fire-alarm or fire-sprinkler systems. Usually, the lock must remain open until the fire protection system is reset.

Readers can easily research this topic online or contact The Locksmith Ledger for links to the plethora of information available which discusses special locking arrangements and life safety code complaint locking solutions.

By placing access control on openings, the need to distribute and replace keys is eliminated. There are many choices for the locksmith when specifying door controls.

• Standalone mechanical keypads
• Standalone electronic keypads
• Electronic door control systems with discrete locking and input devices. The input device is a keypad, keyswitch, card reader or these days perhaps NFC or Bluetooth.

Keys for such openings are held in reserve and are only used to gain access in an emergency.

Whether a keypad alone is acceptable for security is an important consideration. Whether it is a single code for all or system that supports individual PINs, the argument against a keypad is that a code can be shared or guessed; it is by itself not authenticated, and perhaps less secure than key control.

But a keypad may be what the customer wants, to be relieved of the hassles of key management and providing the convenience of a keypad to the end-users, while still inhibiting casual and undesired ingress into an area.

Code Requirements

One of the intentional consequences of electrically controlling an opening for access is to inhibit egress. This may be achieved with a keypad.

Institutional Occupancies offer unique challenges and are subject to special requirements.

Note: The following code excerpts are to be used as examples only.  This may not be the code enforced in your jurisdiction.

International Building Code 2012: SECTION 308 INSTITUTIONAL GROUP I: Institutional Group I occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, in which people are cared for or live in a supervised environment, having physical limitations because of health or age are harbored for medical treatment or other care or treatment, or in which people are detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted. Institutional occupancies shall be classified as Group I-1, I-2, I-3 or I-4. 

308.2 Group I-1: This occupancy shall include buildings, structures or parts thereof housing more than 16 persons, on a 24-hour basis, who because of age, mental disability or other reasons, live in a supervised residential environment that provides personal care services. The occupants are capable of responding to an emergency situation without physical assistance from staff. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Alcohol and drug centers
• Assisted living facilities
• Congregate care facilities
• Convalescent facilities
• Group homes
• Halfway houses

Residential board and care facilities

Social rehabilitation facilities

A facility such as the above with five or fewer persons shall be classified as a Group R-3 or shall comply with the International Residential Code in accordance with Section 101.2. A facility such as above, housing at least six and not more than 16 persons, shall be classified as Group R-4

308.3 Group I-2: This occupancy shall include buildings and structures used for medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing or custodial care for persons who are not capable of self-preservation. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 

• Child care facilities 
• Detoxification facilities
• Hospitals 

While Residential and Institutional occupancies have some things in common, in many important respects they are very different.

For one thing they are subject to scrutiny by a posse of LAHJs from various agencies. Residences are not under a microscope, and sometimes situations exist under the radar.

There are situations where structures are being adapted for different purposes and then fall into non-compliance. Some examples include conversion of residences into pre-K, nursery or hospice facilities.

When the locksmith is called to perform service or installation in such situations, he or she may find multiple violations. Using the rationale that you are merely replacing what was already there and having tunnel vision with respect to other infractions is illegal and you are morally and probably legally liable if anyone is injured and ‘they’ can prove you billed them for services.

If you suspect there is a problem, request to see the Certificate of Occupancy.

Mechanical Pushbutton Solution: Simplex 1000

With 40 years in the marketplace, Simplex mechanical pushbutton locks continue to be the durable, reliable choice for many facility managers. The locks are dependable, easy to maintain, and flexible to meet the needs of today’s fast-paced environment.

Kaba’s Simplex® mechanical pushbutton locks eliminate those headaches of issuing, replacing and controlling keys by using a PIN instead of keys for access by all authorized users. One code — that’s all you have to remember or keep up with — nothing tangible like a key or magnetic card, no batteries to replace in the lock, and no software or computers to control the lock’s operation.

PIN codes are made up of any combination of one to five numbers (pressed individually or simultaneously). The locks allow over 1,000 possible PIN code combinations. PIN codes are quickly and easily changed without removing the lock from the door. This ability to reprogram the buttons eliminates the expense associated with rekeys or replacement of credentials.

For many facility managers mechanical pushbutton locks are a great solution for controlling access between public and private areas. They can be used in conjunction with other security management tools, (for example deadbolts or video surveillance), or as stand-alone security alternative.

Simplex® mechanical pushbutton locks work with cylindrical, mortise, and exit device installations. Locks install easily on metal or wood doors with no wiring or computer programming required.

Other features include:

• Easy to maintain — no batteries to replace.

• Durable heavy-duty construction for outdoor applications and attractive finishes for indoor settings

• Removable or interchangeable cores.

• Optional key override gives emergency personnel quick access to your facility.

• Optional lockout prohibits anyone from entering the facility, even with a PIN code.

• Electric release models give access control to a receptionist via switch button.

• Optional passage feature allows entry without using a PIN code.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Kaba, Telephone: 800-849-8324. Web: www.kaba-adsamericas.com

Essex Electronic Keypad

When the application suggests that an electronic keypad is required, the Essex Narrow Keypad SKE-26 and Essex Single Gang SKE-34 keypads are excellent choices.

The narrow style is ideal for aluminum door frames, and is illuminated which works well for outdoor night time operation. The single gang unit is easy to use with standard electrical boxes. Both are extremely rugged, and have functionalities which far exceed simply energizing a door lock.

While the keypads can be connected directly to many locking devices, the use of interface (slave) relays with all door controls is highly recommended to assure long term operation and to protect the electronic control from failures due to damage to the SKE internal relay or open collector output.

The SKE has an integral REX input. There are many situations where using the REX is helpful. Among the possible applications of the SKE is to implement a propped/forced door alarm. In this situation using the SKE REX is required to maintain the same door unlock timing.

Another application is with delayed egress. For many delayed egress applications, it is required that the door be normally transgressed from either direction without initiating an alarm. Essex keypads work well in these applications.

Essex SKE keypads can hold hundreds of codes, and can trigger up to three independent outputs. There are ESSEX keypads with Wiegand outputs so they may be used in conjunction with or to replace cardreaders and biometrics.

The SKE-34 is a heavy duty self contained access control keypad with many features that make it suitable for residential, institutional and harsh environments.

The unit has an integral Form “C” 2A main output relay, as well as two open collector outputs which can operate exterior relays and be controlled in a variety of ways. It may be configured to operate at 5 VDC or 12/24VDC.

The keyboard is laser etched Stainless steel piezio actuated with no moving parts, and weather/vandal resistant.

The keypad is available in a 3X4 single gang or 2X6 narrow mullion configuration.

Features include:

• Self-Contained Access Control
• 3 Progammable Outputs
• Up To 500 User Codes (Plus Master And Temproary Code)
• Easy To Install And Operate
• Laser Marked Keypad Graphics
• Weatherproof & Waterproof, -40c To +70c, 100% Relative Humidity
• Available In Several Architectural Finishes
• Draws Only 35Ma at idle
• 1 Billion cycle switch life
• REX input
• Anti-Tailgate feature
• Door forced/AJAR alarm
• Programmed at keypad, no computer or programmer required
• Limited lifetime warranty

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Essex Electronics, Telephone: 800-535-5377. Web: www.keyless.com.