Amador Fire Protection District | 810 Court Street | Jackson, CA 95642

Approved Door Hardware for Commercial Buildings

There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to codes and standards in a commercial building, right down to what type of hardware is installed for the doors. Here is a quick and easy guide to approved door hardware for commercial buildings. 

 

  1. Self-releasing door hardware:

The outside lever is locked and unlocked by a key from the exterior.  The inside lever is always unlocked and provides a single motion exiting when the interior lever is turned.

  1. Self-releasing door hardware with a coded entry:

The door is locked from the exterior side at all times and a code is required for entry. The inside is provided with single motion exiting when the lever is turned.

  1. Self-releasing door hardware with interconnected single locking hardware:

Single deadbolt protection with a single motion exiting (co-activating) when the lever is turned.  The deadbolt retracts when the interior lever is turned.

 

  1. Self-releasing door hardware with interconnecting multi-point locking hardware:

Multi-point deadbolt protection with a single motion exiting when the panic bar is depressed.  Multi-point locking hardware is also available with lever type handle.

 

  1. Key locked deadbolt locks:

In buildings in occupancy Group A, having an occupant load of 300 or less, Groups B, F, M and S, and in places of religious worship, the main door or doors are permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking devices from the egress side provided:

  • The locking device is readily distinguishable as locked.
  • A readily visible durable sign is posted to the door stating: THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN THIS SPACE IS OCCUPIED. The sign shall be in letters 1 inch high on contrasting background.
  • The use of the key-operated device is revocable by the fire code official for due cause.

Note:  The most common deadbolt in use is the single keyed deadbolt where a key is required to unlock the door from outside, but a thumb-turn is used to unlock the door from the inside.  This is not permitted on any door in Class B or M occupancy unless it is a component of interconnected single locking hardware.

 

Photo of approved and non- approved devices

                       

NOT APPROVED UNLESS IT IS A COMPONENT OF INTERCONNECTED SINGLE LOCKING HARDWARE!

 

                

DEAD BOLT LATCHES ARE NOT APPROVED AT ANY TIME ON AN EXIT DOOR WITH PANIC HARDWARE!