Current through Register Vol. 18, September 20, 2024
(1) The facility must follow the provisions
of the 2000 Edition of the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, (LSC). A copy of this
publication can be obtained from the Department of Public Health and Human
Services, Quality Assurance Division, Licensure Bureau, 2401 Colonial Drive,
P.O. Box 202953, Helena MT 59620-2953.
(2) The 2000 Edition of the NFPA 101, Life
Safety Code, (LSC), has the following requirements for special locking
arrangements for a secured SCSF unit. LSC 5- 2.1.6.1 states:
(a) In buildings protected throughout by an
approved supervised automatic fire detection system or approved supervised
automatic sprinkler system and when permitted by chapters 8 through 30, doors
in low or ordinary hazard areas, as defined by LSC 4-2.2, may be equipped with
approved, listed, locking devices which shall:
(i) unlock upon actuation of an approved
supervised automatic fire detection system or approved supervised automatic
sprinkler system installed in accordance with LSC 7-6 or 7-7; and
(ii) unlock upon loss of power controlling
the lock or locking mechanism; and
(iii) initiate an irreversible process which
will release the lock within 15 seconds whenever a force of not more than 15
pounds (67N) is continuously applied, for a period of not more than three
seconds to the release device required in LSC 5- 2.1.5.3. Relocking of such
doors shall be by manual means only. Operation of the release device shall
activate a signal in the vicinity of the door for assuring those attempting to
exit that the system is functional. Exception to this subsection: The authority
having jurisdiction may approve a delay not to exceed 30 seconds provided that
reasonable life safety is assured pursuant to LSC 5- 2.1.6.2. A sign shall be
provided on the door adjacent to the release device which reads:
PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS |
DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS |
(A) Sign
letters shall be at least one inch (2.5cm) high and one eighth inch (0.3cm)
wide stroke.
(3) The department shall grant an SCSF
exception to the LSC code - Special Locking Arrangements, based on an
equivalency for the automatically releasing, panic hardware required by LSC 5-
2.1.6.1. All of the following conditions shall apply to granting the exception:
(a) the use of mechanical locks, such as dead
bolt, is not permitted. All locks used must be electromagnetically
controlled;
(b) all secured doors
in the unit must have a manual electronic key pad which must release the door
after entry of the proper code sequence;
(c) all locks on all secured doors must
automatically release upon any of the following conditions:
(i) the actuation of the approved supervised
automatic fire alarm system;
(ii)
the actuation of an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system;
(iii) loss of the public utility power
controlling locks; and
(iv) a staff
accessible switch at the staff station which is capable of releasing all
doors.
50-5-103,
MCA; IMP,
50-5-103,
MCA;