How Modifying Exit Devices Compromises Life Safety

Have any of your exit devices been compromised by occupants? It’s a common scenario to see fire doors permanently propped open or have zip ties around their crash bars. These modifications create a serious life safety risk because the fire door can no longer close and latch in an emergency. Learn why it’s critical to ensure your exit devices aren’t altered.

Why Fire Doors Save Lives

Fire doors are one of the most important life safety precautions in a building. Not only do they protect property, but they prevent deaths and injuries. Adhering to fire codes plays a crucial role in preserving human life.

Of the 125,500 fires reported in non-residential structures in 2021, 3% involved fatalities and 7% had civilian injuries. The stakes are marginally higher with apartment fires, which are tallied separately. Of the 81,500 multifamily fires in 2021, 7% resulted in fatalities and 21% had injuries.

These low numbers are thanks, in part, to the role of fire doors. NFPA stipulates that a fire door must open, close, and latch. They can either be “kept closed and latched or arranged to be automatic closing during the time of a fire.” Anything that forces the door in an open position or prevents latching violates code because it interferes with fire readiness.

This often happens when building occupants modify a fire door, having little idea they’ve compromised life safety. They might prop open the door or clamp down the panic hardware, typically to achieve push-pull operation, minimize noise, bypass locks, or increase ventilation.

The problem is that these changes prevent the fire door from working as intended. It’s imperative for facilities managers to diligently conduct door inspections so one of these modifications doesn’t go unnoticed.

1) Door Propped Open

Door wedges, kick stops, chains, and heavy objects – all of these are a code violation on a fire-rated door because it can’t close during an emergency. The open door will not only fail to contain fire, but smoke will spread unhindered.

Case in point – imagine a laundry room with its fire-rated door blocked open by a cart. Staff probably think this isn’t a big deal because they want easy access and assume there’s nothing of great value inside.

But a laundry room is full of flammable materials: towels, sheets, and dryer lint. These utility areas also contain equipment using electricity, liquid gas, or ignition sources. The problem isn’t what would happen if a fire reached the laundry room – it’s what would happen if a fire started in the laundry room.

2) Exit Device Disabled

One of the surest ways to undermine life safety is to disable crash bars. It’s called dogging when the bar is clamped down so it can’t latch or lock. Duct tape and zip ties wrapped around the exit device is a common occurrence.

Why is this a problem even if the door isn’t propped open? Because latching is an essential function of every fire door.

Per NFPA, “Building fires are capable of generating pressures sufficient to force fire doors open if they are not held closed with enough latching force, thereby rendering the doors incapable of protecting the opening in which they are installed and potentially allowing the fire to spread to an adjacent space and beyond the compartment of origin.”2

Whether users block the door or immobilize the crash bar, there are several solutions that will reinstate life safety. Electric dogging keeps the latch retracted during scheduled hours but will latch in place if triggered by the fire system. There is also motorized latch retraction and magnetic hold opens, which are also alarm activated.

Another option is to upgrade your exit devices to a next-generation model. New designs offer more operability functions while complying with fire code.

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Next-Generation Exit Devices

Our latest models have been engineered with life safety in mind. Electric latch retraction is one feature that discourages user modifications. The latch will retract when activated by the alarm system. Its quiet operation is also perfect for environments where noise is a concern.

To minimize catch points during an emergency, the bar has a flush surface. The sloped rail surface won’t snag clothing or bag straps as occupants are exiting the building. Safety personnel will also be able to freely maneuver through the door with packs, hoses, and other equipment.

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