Fire Protection Design Manual - Office of Construction and Facilities ...

Option B. Keying of all locks to keys carried by staff at all times
Option C. Other such reliable means available to the staff at all times.
VA Clarification for Options A, B, and C above:
September-2011
For Option (A): The locked doors are required to be in the line of sight of the
location of the remote operator.
For Option (B): Self evident
For Option (C): Card access security systems may be used provided that a
mechanical key release is provided such that when the key is operated, it will directly
interrupt the power to the locking mechanism independent of the card access system
electronics and staff in the area carry keys at all times.
4) Doors in non-healthcare occupancies for the safety of patients (18/19.1.2.6)
Note: From the NFPA 101 Handbook: Health care occupancy patients are sometimes
moved to nonmedical areas — such as a chapel for religious services or an auditorium for
recreation — that typically do not meet the provisions applicable to health care occupancies.
Paragraph 18/19.1.2.6 permits such areas to be regulated by the provisions applicable to the
corresponding occupancy (which would be an assembly occupancy, in the case of chapels or
auditoriums). This paragraph addresses a subject similar to that addressed in 18/19.1.2.7
but adds the requirement that, where the clinical needs of the occupants necessitate the
locking of doors, staff must be present for the supervised unlocking of doors and release of
occupants. This additional requirement ensures that procedures are in place for the ready
release of occupants.
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