security Study each fire exit door
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by Inspector K. W. Norman,
Crime Prevention Section, New Scotland Yard.
• Legislation regulating the maintenance of means of escape from premises in the event of fire is applicable only when the buildings are occupied. Bearing this in mind and in order to avoid a conflict between fire and security requirements, it is best to study each fire exit door individually. First consider: has the door any necessary function beyond that of providing emergency exit?
If the door's use is confined to this, which should be the case as far as possible, the door is usually an outward opening one. Such doors, situated in the perimeter of a medium or high-security risk building and having hinges exposed, need hinge bolts. These are fitted to the hinge side of the door so that when the door is closed the bolts are received in the door frame.
If a door is not required for access purposes there is neither need for an exterior door handle nor keyhole.
Once it has been decided to restrict use of a door to emergency exit and having taken steps to safeguard the door itself, consideration can be given to the method used to keep it closed. When premises need a fire certificate from the local Fire Authority, the precise nature of door fastening will be stipulated. In any case of doubt where premises need no fire certificate, contact the local Fire Prevention and Crime Prevention Officer.
Where it can be anticipated that exit from the building would take place under panic conditions, the Fire Authority will doubtless demand the fitting of panic bolts to every emergency exit door such as those usually seen at cinemas.
Out of working hours, panic bolts are vulnerable to attack and therefore need additional locking facilities.
As a precaution, emergency exit doors can be fitted with normal locks and bolts. It is essential, of course, that such devices are unlocked during working hours and every precaution must be taken to ensure that this is so.
An alternative to padlock and chain is a padlock and cross-bar or a padbolt but the precautions already outlined must be taken. If non-locking door bolts are used to provide additional strength to the panic bolts, the end stops may be removed to permit total removal of the bolt from the guide or straps during working hours. The use of non-locking bolts does nothing to improve security of the door from internal attack. There are, however, locking bolts which can be locked in either the shot position or in the unshot position.
The removal of stolen property during working hours through exit doors secured only by panic bolts can be satisfactorily prevented only by management surveillance assisted by such electronic devices as a tamper-resistant audible alarm. Response to such an alarm must be positive and immediate and every effort should be made by testing at the start and finish of each day to ensure that the system has not been sabotaged.