Security Grill Required to Open Under Fire Alarm?

5/13/2024

Does a security grill utilized in school corridors required to be tied into the fire alarm?

If so, the concept should be that the grill in the closed position should return to the open position when fire alarm is activated, correct?

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7 Comments

Glenn Berger

5/13/2024 08:14:54 am

The easy answer to this question would be yes. However, the right answer would be dependent on the school's emergency operation procedures. Construction type and layout would also play a factor.

The best and safest place for occupants MAY BE to remain in the classroom, until investigation of location of the incident is known and proper egress procedure is determined.

School shootings and other vulnerabilities have forced a re-thinking of mass exodus from soft targets.

Todd E Wyatt

5/13/2024 08:16:22 am

Security grilles (SG) are permitted in the Means of Egress (ME) per the scoping Code (IBC-2021) but are limited to 50% of the Exit Access doorways and/or Exit doorways. SG are permitted at the main exits in Group B, F, M and S Occupancy Classifications (OC) but not at Group E Education OC.

Fire alarms could be interconnected with motorized security grilles in Group E OCs but it is not a requirement.

IBC-2021
Section 1010 Doors, Gates and Turnstiles
1010.3 Special Doors
Special doors and security grilles shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1010.3.1 through 1010.3.4.
1010.3.4 Security Grilles
In Groups B, F, M and S, horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles are permitted at the main exit and shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort during periods that the space is occupied. The grilles shall remain secured in the full-open position during the period of occupancy by the general public. Where two or more exits or access to exits are required, not more than one-half of the exits or exit access doorways shall be equipped with horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles.

Todd E Wyatt

5/13/2024 08:23:08 am

Additional info from NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code :

Chapter 21 Emergency Control Function Interfaces
21.10 Electrically Locked Doors.
21.10.1 *
Electrically locked doors in a required means of egress shall unlock in the direction of egress where required by other laws, codes, and governing standards.

ENHANCED CONTENT
Section 21.10 correlates with the requirements of NFPA 101. The requirements are expressed in terms of unlocking electrically locked doors in a required means of egress in the direction of egress. Means of egress doors are not limited to doors at exits.

NFPA 101 specifies the requirements for means of egress for each occupancy and defines and explains the term means of egress in the following excerpt.

The Code requires unlocking as prescribed by other laws, codes, and governing standards. Examples of how other laws, codes, and standards may prescribe unlocking requirements are in A.21.10.1. Other codes, standards, and authorities having jurisdiction may also include or provide specific permission for doors to remain locked in certain situations. Examples include detention and correctional facilities and psychiatric wards in a health care facility.

A.21.10.1
Doors are commonly locked for various security reasons. Though doors are permitted to be locked to prevent ingress, doors are generally not permitted to be locked to restrict egress unless specifically permitted by governing laws, codes, and standards. Examples of special locking arrangements include delayed egress locking and access control locking. Approved locking requirements by governing laws, codes, and standards can vary extensively. For example, some might require all fire alarm initiating devices to immediately unlock electrically locked egress doors, while others might permit such doors to remain locked when a single manual fire alarm box is actuate. Some codes might also permit electrically locked doors to remain locked when a single smoke detector has actuated. These allowances are typically permitted only in sprinklered buildings and are generally used as additional safeguards to counter efforts to breach security, without compromising occupant safety.

Ricardo Gonzales Jr

5/13/2024 08:17:57 am

It depends. What is the Security Grill for? Does it affect egress or not. The Architect or Life Safety Engineer should be able define that for you. As a Fire Alarm designer, you should ask the questions and get them to provide the answer. It's their job to know egress and it's a CYA for you. Documented from the Architect or Engineer.

Chad

5/13/2024 10:10:24 am

What Ricardo said, 100%

Its a big picture item and an Arch or FPE should be developing these plans and you design your equipment to it.

Steve Cooper

5/13/2024 09:40:36 am

I believe you would want all security features tied together. It could be wired or arranged separately depending on how the schools set up their emergencies.

Jack G

5/13/2024 09:43:48 am

I believe that the school districts liability comes into play and that they should open in the flow of the egress routes
The local codes may reflect this. ( what happened to your children in a school not protected by fire sprinklers?)

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Security Grill Required to Open Under Fire Alarm?

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