3 Controlled egress
Controlled egress—which is allowed only in healthcare units where patients require containment for their safety or security— prevents egress until evacuation is necessary. Common units that use controlled egress locks include memory care, maternity/nursery, pediatrics and psychiatric areas. No audible alarm or signage is required, but you must document how to release the door in safety/emergency plans and the clinical staff must carry the credentials necessary to unlock the doors.
In many (but not all) applications, the controlled egress locks must unlock automatically upon fire alarm, remote release and power failure.
4 Monitor switches
There are two types of monitor switches that are most often used on exterior doors, as well as high-security interior doors:
1. Touchpad switch to monitor the position of the touchpad or crossbar (also called RX, REX or request-to-exit switch)
2. Latchbolt switch that monitors the position of the latch and sends a signal to retract the latch
Both types can be used to sound an alarm or interface with the building’s security system. The touchpad monitor switch is generally used to indicate egress only, where the latchbolt monitor will monitor ingress or egress. The touchpad monitor switch may also be used to unlock an electromagnetic lock.
5 Electric latch retraction
When electricity is applied to panic hardware with electric latch retraction, the latch retracts, creating a maintained push/pull application or momentarily retracting the latch so the door can be pulled open. When power is cut, the latch projects, securely latching the door. Electric latch retraction may be used for several reasons, including:
• Access control
• Releasing the latch on a door with an automatic operator
• Holding the latch retracted on a fire door
Schools—main entrances and cross-corridor fire doors—are an ideal application for electric latch retraction. It’s important to keep in mind that when you use electric latch retraction on a fire door, it must interface with the fire alarm system so the door is latched if there is a fire. Another benefit of electric latch retraction is that this option may be retrofitted in the field on some models of panic hardware.
6 Electrified lever trim
Electrified lever trim options—where the locking and unlocking of the lever handle is controlled by the application of power—are often used on stairwells where you want to lock the door on the stair side and unlock it remotely if a fire occurs. Electrified lever trim may also be used with an access control system, particularly when the door needs to be latched regardless of the locked/unlocked state. It is available in fail safe or fail secure modes.