ACCESS CONTROL
Electronic access control : Ensuring safe escape door compliance in schools
Paul Nicholas at Abloy UK discusses the importance of escape door compliance in schools , and specifying the correct electronic access control solution to ensure life safety .
ยป SAFEGUARDING STUDENTS , STAFF , and visitors in schools is a top priority , however , one crucial yet often overlooked aspect is ensuring the compliance of escape doors . There are many reasons why a school may want to restrict movement across a facility .
Controlling the misuse of perimeter escape doors and the need to prevent pupils and students from having completely free movement in and out of buildings is an understandable requirement , but compliance must always be maintained . Escape doors make up a significant proportion of school doors , with classrooms , offices and final escape doors often forming part of the escape route plan .
The purpose of an escape door is to allow free egress for all persons at any time , allowing swift evacuation in the event of an emergency . These types of doors in schools are more than just an exit in the case of fire - they are a lifeline during emergencies involving chemicals , intruders , or other critical threats .
Therefore , failure to meet fire safety and escape regulations poses significant risks , including the loss of life . But , with the increasing integration of electronic access control systems , many schools are inadvertently compromising the compliance of these doors .
Compliance challenges
Often , when a school introduces electronic locks and access control , the specific requirements for maintaining escape door compliance are not followed . What was previously a compliant escape door can very easily become non-compliant because of incorrect electronic locking choices . A simple error , such as adding electronic locks without maintaining mechanical escape mechanisms , can transform a previously compliant door into a hazard . Therefore , when electronic access control is deployed , it is critical to understand how to maintain compliance , for life safety .
The Fire Safety Order 2005 places legal responsibility on those with day-to-day control of a building , often the head teacher , to ensure that fire safety standards are met . Escape doors , forming an essential part of an emergency evacuation plan , must comply with BS EN 179 / 1125 / 13637 to ensure all users can exit the premises efficiently in an emergency .
With better awareness of the standards and legislation relating to the compliance requirements , we can limit the risk of noncompliant solutions being adopted and therefore maintain the welfare of all .
46
DECEMBER 2024
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