1010.1.9.7 Delayed egress locking systems.

Subject to special review and approval by the commissioner, approved, listed, delayed egress locking systems may be permitted on doors serving spaces where extra safeguards are required in buildings that are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or an approved automatic smoke or heat detection system installed in accordance with Section 907, provided that the doors unlock in accordance with Items 1 through 8 below.

   1.   The delay electronics of the delayed egress locking system shall deactivate upon actuation of the automatic sprinkler system or automatic fire detection system, allowing immediate, free egress.

   2.   The delay electronics of the delayed egress locking system shall deactivate upon loss of power controlling the lock or lock mechanism, allowing immediate free egress.

   3.   The delayed egress locking system shall have the capability of being deactivated at the fire command center and other approved locations.

   4.   An attempt to egress shall initiate an irreversible process that shall allow such egress in not more than 15 seconds when a physical effort of 15 pounds (66.7 N) is applied to the egress side door hardware for not more than 3 seconds. Initiation of the irreversible process shall activate an audible signal in the vicinity of the door. Once the delay electronics have been deactivated, rearming the delay electronics shall be by manual means only. Except where approved by the department, a delay of not more than 30 seconds is permitted on a delayed egress door.

   5.   The egress path from any point shall not pass through more than one delayed egress locking system. Except where approved by the department, in Group I-2 or I-3 occupancies, the egress path from any point in the building shall pass through not more than two delayed egress locking systems provided the combined delay does not exceed 30 seconds.

   6.   A sign shall be provided on the door and shall be located above and within 12 inches (304.8 mm) of the door exit hardware. Except where approved by the department, in Group I occupancies, the installation of a sign is not required where care recipients who because of clinical needs require restraint or containment as part of the function of the treatment area.

      6.1.   For doors that swing in the direction of egress, the sign shall read: PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS. DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS. Except where not more than 30 seconds is permitted on a delayed egress door is approved by the department, such sign shall read: PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS. DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 30 SECONDS.

      6.2.   For doors that swing in the opposite direction of egress, the sign shall read: PULL UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS. DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS. Except where not more than 30 seconds is permitted on a delayed egress door is approved by the department, such sign shall read: PULL UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS. DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 30 SECONDS.

      6.3.   The sign shall comply with the visual character requirements in ICC A117.1.

   7.   Emergency lighting shall be provided on the egress side of the door.

   8.   The delayed egress locking system units shall be listed in accordance with UL 294.

   Exceptions:

      1.   Delayed egress locking systems shall not be permitted in buildings or spaces in Group A, E, F and H occupancies. However, in museums, delayed egress locks may be installed on exit doors subject to special review by the commissioner and Fire Commissioner.

      2.   Places of detention or restraints in Group I-3 are permitted to install delayed egress locking systems without the special review by the commissioner, provided that the installation complies with all of the other requirements of this section.

1010.1.9.8 Sensor release of electrically locked egress doors.

The electric locks on sensor released doors located in a means of egress in buildings with an occupancy in Group A, B, E, M, R-1 or R-2 and entrance doors to tenant spaces in occupancies in Group A, B, E, M, R-1 or R-2 are permitted where installed and operated in accordance with all of the following criteria:

   1.   The sensor shall be installed on the egress side, arranged to detect an occupant approaching the doors. The doors shall be arranged to unlock by a signal from or loss of power to the sensor.

   2.   Loss of power to the lock or locking system shall automatically unlock the doors.

   3.   The doors shall be arranged to unlock from a manual unlocking device located 40 inches to 48 inches (1016 mm to 1220 mm) vertically above the floor and within 5 feet (1524 mm) of the secured doors. Ready access shall be provided to the manual unlocking device and the device shall be clearly identified by a sign that reads "PUSH TO EXIT." When operated, the manual unlocking device shall result in direct interruption of power to the lock-independent of other electronics-and the doors shall remain unlocked for not less than 30 seconds.

   4.   Activation of the building fire alarm system, where provided, shall automatically unlock the doors, and the doors shall remain unlocked until the fire alarm system has been reset.

   5.   Activation of the building automatic sprinkler system or fire detection system, where provided, shall automatically unlock the doors. The doors shall remain unlocked until the fire alarm system has been reset.

   6.   The door locking system units shall be listed in accordance with UL 294.

1010.1.9.9 Electromagnetically locked egress doors.

Doors in the means of egress in buildings with an occupancy in Group A, B, E, M, R-1 or R-2 and doors to tenant spaces in Group A, B, E, M, R-1 or R-2 shall be permitted to be locked with an electromagnetic locking system where equipped with hardware that incorporates a built-in switch and where installed and operated in accordance with all of the following:

   1.   The hardware that is affixed to the door leaf has an obvious method of operation that is readily operated under all lighting conditions.

   2.   The hardware is capable of being operated with one hand.

   3.   Operation of the hardware directly interrupts the power to the electromagnetic lock and unlocks the door immediately.

   4.   Loss of power to the electromagnetic locking system automatically unlocks the door to permit egress.

   5.   Where panic or fire exit hardware is required by Section 1010.1.10, operation of the panic or fire exit hardware also releases the electromagnetic lock.

   6.   The locking system units shall be listed in accordance with UL 294.

1010.1.9.10 Locking arrangements in correctional facilities.

In occupancies in Groups A-2, A-3, A-4, B, E, F, I-2, I-3, M and S within correctional and detention facilities, doors in means of egress serving rooms or spaces occupied by persons whose movements are controlled for security reasons shall be permitted to be locked where equipped with egress control devices that shall unlock manually and by not less than one of the following means:

   1.   Activation of an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

   2.   Activation of an approved manual fire alarm box.

   3.   A signal from a constantly attended location.

1010.1.9.11 Stairway doors.

Interior stairway means of egress doors shall be openable from both sides without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.

   Exceptions:

      1.   Stairway discharge doors shall be openable from the egress side and shall only be locked from the opposite side.

      2.   This section shall not apply to doors arranged in accordance with Section 403.5.3.

      3.   In stairways serving not more than four stories, doors are permitted to be locked from the side opposite the egress side, provided they are openable from the egress side and capable of being unlocked simultaneously without unlatching upon a signal from the fire command center, if present, or a signal by emergency personnel from a single location inside the main entrance to the building.

      4.   This section shall not apply to buildings permitted to be served by one exit in accordance with Item 5 or 6 of Section 1006.3.2.

      5.   In schools classified as Group E occupancies that require lockdown drills as per New York State Education Law 807, stairway egress doors from occupied spaces are permitted to be locked from the side opposite the egress side for the duration of the lockdown drill, provided that they are openable from the occupied side for egress and are unlocked upon directions from the school administrative personnel following the completion of the lockdown drill.

1010.1.10 Panic and fire exit hardware.

Doors serving the following shall not be provided with a latch or lock other than panic hardware or fire exit hardware:

   1.   Group H occupancies;

   2.   A room or space with an occupant load of 75 or more in a Group A or E occupancy;

   3.   A building or nonaccessory tenant space used for assembly purposes that is permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy pursuant to Section 303.1.2; and

   4.   An accessory room or space used for assembly purposes where permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy or as part of the occupancy it is accessory to, pursuant to Section 303.1.3.

   Exceptions:

      1.   A main exit of a Group A occupancy shall be permitted to be locking in accordance with Section 1010.1.9.3, Item 2.

      2.   Doors serving a Group A or E occupancy shall be permitted to be electromagnetically locked in accordance with Section 1010.1.9.9.

1010.1.10.1 Rooms with electrical equipment.

Exit or exit access doors serving transformer vaults, rooms designated for batteries or energy storage systems, or modular data centers shall be equipped with panic hardware or fire exit hardware. Where rooms contain electrical rooms with equipment rated 800 amperes or more that contain overcurrent devices, switching devices or control devices and where the exit or exit access door is less than 25 feet (7629 mm) from the equipment working space, shall be equipped with panic hardware or fire exit hardware. The doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel.

1010.1.10.2 Refrigeration machinery room.

Swinging doors in refrigeration machinery rooms, where required by Section 1006.2.2.3, shall not be provided with a latch or lock other than panic hardware or fire exit hardware.

1010.1.10.3 Installation.

Where panic or fire exit hardware is installed, it shall comply with the following:

   1.   Panic hardware shall be listed in accordance with UL 305.

   2.   Fire exit hardware shall be listed in accordance with UL 10C and UL 305.

   3.   The actuating portion of the releasing device shall extend not less than one-half of the door leaf width.

   4.   The maximum unlatching force shall not exceed 15 pounds (66.7 N).

1010.1.10.4 Balanced doors.

If balanced doors are used and panic hardware is required, the panic hardware shall be the push-pad type and the pad shall not extend more than one-half the width of the door measured from the latch side.

1010.2 Gates.

Gates serving the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. Gates used as a component in a means of egress shall conform to the applicable requirements for doors.

   Exception: Horizontal sliding or swinging gates exceeding the 4-foot (1220 mm) maximum leaf width limitation are permitted in fences and walls surrounding a stadium.