AboutDominick G. Kasmauskas Expertise Former NFPA Fire Service Section, Director, Executive Board. NJ Certified Firefighter, Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, Haz Mat Instructor. Volunteer Firefighter since 1974, Capt. Lieut. and President. National Fire Academy Fire Officer II certified. Presently a Regional Manager for the Natl Fire Sprinkler Assn and a certified fire protection specialist and a certified code enforcement official in NY State.
Experience Various awards and citations.
My oddest "call" was at my company picnic, in a remote area, when someone at the picnic had heart failure. While trying to perform CPR I was also giving directions to ALS and BLS to get to the scene.
Every alarm is an accomplishment.
Question Our office closes at PM. Upon leaving the building you go through 2 doors. The first has a key-operated dead bolt, and the outside has a push-down lock type. Can the key-operated dead bolt be locked if there are still people in the building, who have keys, and there are 3 other exits from this building?? I was recently instructed that upon leaving at PM, I'm to lock the dead-bolt, even if there are other employees in the building. Is this OK???
Jacki
Answer Jacki~
Glad you came here for an answer. First I'll premise that you should see if you can contact the local building official and or fire inspector as what I have is based on national model code. Your town, county, or state may have more or less restrictive language.
In a Business Occupancy, it is possible under certain conditions spelled out in Chapter 10 of the Intl. Fire Code. The lock needs to be clearly visible that it is locked or unlocked, only employees inside (no customers, guests, friends can be in the building). The fire inspector can revoke all this at his/her discretion and say "no".
If you have other areas, like manufacturing, or residential that may need to escape, then you cannot use this type of lock.
It would be wiser to have panic harware installed so as to be able to lock without requiring a key to get out.
I personally I don't like it as your average human being will panic.
I hope this helps and feel free to ask further or give more info.
