© 2015 American Society for Healthcare Engineering, a personal membership group of the American Hospital Association 155 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 400 | Chicago, IL 60606ashe.org | ashe@aha.org | 312-422-3800

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Understanding LS.02.01.20 and

locking requirements

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Door locking

• Because there are so many findings for non-code compliant locking, please review the following excerpts from NFPA 101: Life Safety Code® regarding the proper method of door locking in health care occupancies. Often, surveyors find that not all requirements are met by organizations.

• Note that the code has both absolute and conditional requirements.

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Phrases in the Life Safety Code

• Mandatory requirements (this must be done): “Shall be” or “Shall have”

• Optional provisions (if a different citation permits): “Where permitted by”

• Limited provisions (if a different citation restricts): “Unless prohibited by”

• How to do it (correct implementation): “Where required by”

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Door locking

• Doors within a required means of egress shall not be locked from the egress side

• Exceptions: o Clinical needs of the patient for security measures – staff

must be able to unlock at all times (everyone has a key)

o One (1) delayed egress lock in any egress path o Access controlled in accordance with 7.2.1.6.2

• 3 types of locking arrangements found: o Clinical needs locking

o Delayed egress locking

o Access control locking

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Door locking

• Delayed egress locking must meet ALL of the following: • Doors must unlock on activation of the sprinkler and/or fire alarm

system

• Doors must unlock upon loss of power to the controlling lock or locking mechanism

• An irreversible process must release the lock in 15/30 seconds by a force of not more than 15 lbf. An audible signal must be activated at the door. Once the lock is released by force, it can only be reset manually

• A sign must be on the door adjacent to the release device that says “PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15/30 SECONDS” (AHJ Approval)

• On the door adjacent to the release device there shall be a readily visible sign that reads as follows: PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15/30 SECONDS

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Door locking

• Access control locking must meet ALL of the following: • A sensor is installed on the egress side to detect an occupant

approaching the door and the door is arranged to unlock in the direction of egress upon detection of an approaching occupant or loss of power to the sensor

• Doors unlock upon loss of power to the part of the access control system that locks the door and automatically unlocks the doors in the direction of egress

• Manual release device is installed within 40 in. – 48 in. vertically and within 5 ft. of the door that reads “PUSH TO EXIT”. Manual release must interrupt power to the lock and remain unlocked for at least 30 seconds – independent of the access control system.

© 2015 American Society for Healthcare Engineering

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Door locking

• Access control locking requirements (continued):• Doors must unlock upon activation of the building fire alarm

system and remain unlocked until the system has been manually reset

• Doors must unlock upon activation of the building sprinkler system and remain unlocked until the system has been manually reset

© 2015 American Society for Healthcare Engineering, a personal membership group of the American Hospital Association 155 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 400 | Chicago, IL 60606ashe.org | ashe@aha.org | 312-422-3800

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