Electrified panic hardware trim
Electrified panic hardware trim refers to the outside lever on panic hardware or fire exit hardware. It operates the same way as an electromechanical lock does—the power controls the whether the outside lever can be turned or not. The latch remains projected until the lever is turned, and free egress is always available by pushing the touchpad or crossbar of the panic hardware.
Fail-safe electrified panic hardware trim is used for stairwell doors providing re-entry. Most other doors are not required to allow access upon fire alarm, so fail-secure electrified panic hardware trim is more common in locations other than stairwell doors. Design professionals must keep in mind the stair discharge door is not typically required by code to unlock upon fire alarm. The door between the stairwell and the roof may be required, or desired, to be fail safe. This is not typical and is not a requirement of the International Building Code (IBC) or NFPA 101, The Life Safety Code, except in rare instances where the path of egress leads onto the roof.
Electric latch retraction
Electric latch retraction is an optional function for panic hardware or fire exit hardware. This hardware is available in two variations—EL for standard electric latch retraction and QEL for the “quiet” version. The sound of hardware operation can cause interruptions that may decrease productivity and can even affect patient recovery in healthcare facilities. Devices with electric latch retraction are only available fail secure. When power is applied, the latch retracts automatically and stays retracted as long as power is applied. When power is removed, the latch is projected, securing the door. Again, free egress is provided via the touchpad of the panic hardware. EL/QEL devices are sometimes used on fire doors to allow push/pull function during normal use and provide positive latching during a fire alarm. A signal from the fire alarm system to the power supply is needed.
EL devices are often used with automatic operators, so the latch is retracted before the door begins to open. Electric strikes can perform this function as well. Fail-safe or fail-secure products can be used in this application, but fail secure is typically used except in the very rare case where access is required upon fire alarm. Electromechanical locks and electrified panic hardware trim are not used with automatic operators because the latch is not retracted until someone turns the lever, which would prevent the auto operator from opening the door.
Electromagnetic locks
An electromagnetic lock mounts on the frame with a steel armature mounted on the door. When power is applied to the magnet, it bonds to the armature, securing the door. Electromagnetic locks are only available fail safe. When power is removed, the electromagnetic lock unlocks.
Since magnetic locks do not provide free egress like other electrified hardware, release devices are required by code to allow egress. An electromagnetic lock released by door-mounted hardware (e.g. a request-to-exit switch in panic hardware) is required to unlock upon loss of power. If the electromagnetic lock is released by a sensor, it must also unlock upon actuation of a push button located beside the door, upon actuation of the fire alarm or sprinkler system, and loss of power.
Conclusion
Whether the electrified hardware for a specific location should be fail safe or fail secure depends more on security requirements than on life safety, as most applications allow free egress regardless of whether the hardware is fail safe or fail secure. Fail-safe locks should be used on stairwell doors requiring reentry and any other doors that need free access upon fire alarm or power failure. Fail-safe electric strikes cannot be used for stairwell reentry because fire doors require fail-secure electric strikes for positive latching. An obvious security risk for fail-safe products is that the door will be unlocked whenever power is removed.
For some types of hardware, the fail safe or fail secure function is inherent. For example, electric latch retraction panic hardware is only available fail secure (the latch projects when power is removed), whereas electromagnetic locks are only available fail safe (there is no magnetic bond when power is removed). Other types of electrified hardware, including electromechanical locks, electric strikes, and electrified trim for panic hardware, are available either fail safe or fail secure. Some hardware must be ordered as the desired function, while other products are field-selectable.
Fail-secure products are more common than fail safe due to security concerns; power consumption may also be an issue. Fail-secure products provide security when no power is applied, so when deciding which function to use, consider what needs to happen to the outside lever when power is removed. If the hardware is required to allow access when power is removed, specify fail-safe products. If a secure outside lever is needed when power is removed, specify fail-secure hardware. Finally, verify the hardware on the egress side of the door will function as required by the applicable code requirements.
Lori Greene, AHC/CDC, CCPR, FDAI, FDHI, is the manager of codes and resources for Allegion. She has been in the industry for more than 30 years, and used to be a hardware consultant writing specifications. Greene is a member of CSI, the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI), the International Code Council (ICC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) Codes and Government Affairs Committee. She blogs at www.iDigHardware.com. Greene can be contacted at lori.greene@allegion.com.
