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Topic: Movie theatre fined for locked emergency doors

Steve Kraus
Film God

Posts: 4094
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 09-29-2013 10:04 AM

In our building, the lobby entry has a revolving door and two normal swinging doors on either side. After hours, the revolving door is locked. One exits via one of the swinging doors which has a simple push to release latch. To enter, the other door has an electrically released lock which can be opened via an RFID card or a tenant can release it via their telephone after being called from an intercom box next to the door.

Anyway, that electrically unlocked door is held CLOSED by an electromagnet. There is no mechanical latch. When unlocked, the power is simply turned off for 30 seconds or so and the door may be pulled open. It confuses some because there is no buzz or sound. Presumably, with enough force I suppose it could be forced open but it seems beyond normal ability. Maybe the door frame would bend first as the magnetic grip is incredibly strong. If there is any sticking from residual magnetism I have not noticed it. During business hours, the security guard will release it for, say, the UPS guy coming in with a cart.

PS: I've been told that the revolving door was originally some sort of automatic thing where it sensed if someone was there and revolved by itself but after too many bumped heads it was disconnected and converted to normal.

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Mark Hajducki
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 500
From: Edinburgh, UK
Registered: May 2003

posted 09-29-2013 10:49 AM

quote: Steve Kraus
door is held CLOSED by an electromagnet. There is no mechanical latch. When unlocked, the power is simply turned off for 30 seconds or so and the door may be pulled open. It confuses some because there is no buzz or sound.

These type of lock may not be suitable for escape route use in public buildings as they can be confusing to users. I suppose that this could be corrected by making the button look like a standard emergency exit pushbar.

In a situation where the majority of users will be familiar with the technology there is less of a problem.

These locks usually have an emergency override (which looks like a green fire alarm call point) which will unlock the door in the emergency exit direction, alerting security. I have seen some situations where the emergency override is on the opposite side from the push to open button.

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Leo Enticknap
Film God

Posts: 7474
From: Loma Linda, CA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 09-29-2013 11:46 AM

quote: Steve Kraus
Presumably, with enough force I suppose it could be forced open but it seems beyond normal ability.

I'd also guess that if the door was forced open with the magnet energised, that would trigger an alarm and have security people there very quickly.

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