How to Secure Your Commercial Building’s Fire Exit Doors
Fire exit doors are essential for ensuring the safety of employees, tenants, and visitors during emergencies. These doors must provide safe egress while still preventing unauthorized access when the building is operating normally. Securing fire exit doors is a balance between complying with safety regulations and protecting your property.
At Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm, we help Phoenix businesses secure their fire exit doors with systems that meet safety codes, provide emergency access, and enhance overall building security.
Need help securing your fire exit doors? View our Phoenix commercial locksmith services
Why Securing Fire Exit Doors Is Important
Fire exit doors are designed to allow people to quickly evacuate a building in case of fire or other emergencies. However, if these doors are not properly secured, they can pose a security risk.
Unauthorized entry through these doors can compromise the security of your building, and in some cases, the building’s fire safety compliance may be violated.
Properly securing fire exit doors is critical to
Ensuring quick and safe egress for building occupants during emergencies
Complying with local fire and safety codes
Preventing unauthorized access and minimizing security risks
Best Practices for Securing Fire Exit Doors
1. Install Panic Bars
Panic bars (or push bars) are a must for fire exit doors. These devices allow individuals to easily exit the building in case of an emergency without requiring a key or any additional steps.
Panic bars are designed to comply with fire and safety regulations and ensure that people can exit quickly and efficiently.
For additional security, panic bars can be installed in conjunction with a delay mechanism that only allows them to be used for emergency egress.
2. Ensure Compliance with Fire Codes
Fire exit doors must comply with local fire codes to ensure safe evacuation during emergencies.
We ensure that all doors are equipped with appropriate locking mechanisms that can be easily opened in the event of an emergency.
Fire exit hardware such as panic bars, latch release mechanisms, and emergency exit alarms must be installed according to your local fire and safety codes.
3. Install Security Alarm Systems
Security alarms can be integrated with fire exit doors to prevent unauthorized access while still ensuring that the door functions as an emergency exit.
Exit alarms are a great solution for monitoring fire exit doors during business hours. These alarms will alert security personnel or staff when the fire exit door is opened inappropriately.
Monitoring systems can track when the fire exit door is opened, ensuring that no unauthorized entry occurs.
4. Locking Mechanisms for Security
While fire exit doors must allow easy access during emergencies, they should still be secured during regular hours to prevent unauthorized access.
Consider installing electromagnetic locks or electronic locking systems that are connected to your access control system.
These systems can be programmed to unlock automatically in case of an emergency but remain locked during normal business hours to prevent unauthorized access.
5. Regular Maintenance and Inspections
Fire exit doors must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly in case of an emergency.
Routine checks should be performed to ensure that panic bars, locks, alarms, and hinges are in good working condition.
Also, exit routes should be kept clear of obstacles to ensure that individuals can safely and quickly evacuate the building.
6. Prevent Unauthorized Access to Fire Exit Doors
It’s crucial that fire exit doors are used exclusively for emergency purposes.
We recommend installing
Security cameras near fire exit doors to monitor activity.
Warning signs to remind people that the doors are for emergency use only.
Locking mechanisms that prevent access to restricted areas via the fire exits.
7. Use of Keyless Access
In addition to physical locks, consider using keyless entry systems for fire exit doors in areas with high-security needs.
Keyless access control systems can allow only authorized personnel to unlock the door outside of emergency situations.
This ensures both access control and compliance with fire safety standards.
Why Fire Exit Door Security Matters
1. Protecting Occupant Safety
The primary purpose of a fire exit door is to ensure the safety of building occupants during an emergency.
By securing fire exit doors, you can provide quick access during emergencies, while still maintaining overall building security.
2. Meeting Legal Requirements
Fire exit doors must comply with fire and safety regulations to ensure that your building meets local codes and insurance requirements.
Failure to comply could result in penalties, fines, or even liability issues in the event of an emergency.
3. Preventing Unauthorized Access
Without proper security measures, fire exit doors can be used by intruders to enter the building unnoticed.
By securing these doors with access control systems, alarms, and appropriate locks, you can deter unauthorized access and enhance the overall security of your commercial building.
Who Needs Fire Exit Door Security?
Commercial office buildings
Multi-tenant properties
Hotels and conference centers
Schools and universities
Medical and healthcare facilities
Warehouses and distribution centers
Retail businesses with large facilities
Areas We Serve in Phoenix
We provide fire exit door security solutions across
Downtown Phoenix
Ahwatukee
Maryvale
Arcadia
Camelback East
Biltmore
North and South Phoenix
And all of Maricopa County
Secure Your Fire Exit Doors Today
Ensure the safety and security of your building by securing your fire exit doors with the right locks, access control systems, and alarms. Let us help you implement the best solution for your business.
Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
(602) 854-2766
affordablesecurityphoenix.com
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Need help securing your fire exit doors?
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