Access Control and Security Gates Without Blocking Egress
Access control and security gates are the first line of defense at a facility’s entrances: they regulate the movement of people and vehicles and log entries and exits. But any electrically locked door on an escape route must not become an obstacle in a fire, and this is where security requirements meet life safety requirements.
System components
- Card, fingerprint and face recognition readers.
- Turnstiles and vehicle barriers.
- Networked central controllers that log movement in real time.
- Integration with CCTV and alarm systems.
Life safety requirements for electrically locked doors
The International Building Code (IBC), on which the Saudi General Building Code is based, allows egress doors to be electrically locked only under specific arrangements. Key conditions for sensor-release and electromagnetically locked doors include:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Release on approach | A sensor on the egress side unlocks the door when a person approaches |
| Loss of power | Loss of power to the lock unlocks the door |
| Exit button | A “push to exit” button 1.0–1.2 m (40–48 in) high and within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the door cuts power to the lock directly and keeps the door unlocked for at least 30 seconds |
| Fire alarm (sensor release arrangement) | Activation of the fire alarm or sprinkler system unlocks the doors until the system is reset |
| Electromagnetic locks | Listed hardware with a built-in switch that releases the lock; loss of power unlocks the door |
NFPA 101 contains similar requirements for access-controlled egress doors. Check the figures in the adopted edition of the Saudi code; Civil Defense decides what it accepts on each project.
Practical steps now
- Identify the doors on escape routes before choosing lock types.
- Interface access control with the fire alarm panel, and test door release on alarm and on power loss.
- Document the system settings, and include door tests in the periodic maintenance schedule.
See also our access control technologies guide.
Planning access control for your facility? AZEIDK provides security and surveillance systems and low current systems with programming and systems integration. Contact the AZEIDK team
