Paxton - Matlocks and exits

[mdrabble]

We have Paxton in place and Mag locks with readers on the outside and push to exit buttons and a break glass option on the inside.

 

We also have some external gate with readers on one side and push button on the other.

 

Do we need the push the exit buttons?

 

Can we replace the push to exit with readers (keeping the break glass option on external doors)

 

Mag locks release on fire alarm plus we schedule door release at start and end of school.

 

The aim is to try and funnel sixth students through the main entrance when leaving site during the day as presently they can leave via any door and we would potentially not know they have left if we have a fire alarm.

 

Cannot seem to find any info if the push to exit buttons is a legal requirement.

 

Cheers

[Andycat]

We've removed all our Push buttons to readers, to stop escapees! As long as they drop on fire, there's no need for push.

[localzuk]

We have readers on exits here, with fire release automated on the doors - fire bell goes, maglocks disengage.

[steveg]

We have readers on exits, but also have a green break glass to exit option on fire escapes. Being a primary school children have never pushed it, but I imagine it wouldn't be long before a secondary age pupil did. I'm not sure if these are a requirement or not, all of our doors release with the fire bell and are tested weekly, I guess it comes down to the risk assessment and the question what happens if they don't release?

[Aprice]

Swapping a push to exit for an exit reader, I have no issue with.

 

I wouldn't consider high level mounted break glasses appropriate, as we have seen fitted in numerous primary schools, Someone in a wheelchair for example wouldn't be able to access.

 

I try to ask myself if by fitting / not fitting something am I making it any less safe. In the event of a fire and for whatever reason the fire alarm system (which is outside of our control) fails to function could someone become trapped in that area. Fire alarm relays can be isolated for example on the panel which would prevent the door releasing.

 

Alarmed hood units have worked well for us overall, with the addition of tamper evident seals. Kid breaks seal = Parents billed. Using triggers & actions in Net2 you could configure an email to be sent if the break glass is activated.

 

https://www.nacd.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/EMERGENCY-EGRESS-HS-MANDATORY-COMPLIANCE-170422-1.pdf

[Andrew_C]

Consider that there could be emergencies that are NOT fires. Therefore you still need the "break glass" if you go for readers on the inside, or timed inhibition of the normal button.

[mdrabble]

I’m aiming to keep the break glass - it jump a case of swapping the push button with a reader.

 

Overall aim is to stop sixth form students sneaking off site.

[robyholmes]

You want a fire alarm relay on each door if you want to remove the break glass. You don't want to rely on Paxton Net2 Pro software to release the doors, as it's relient on your server, network etc all working in a fire situation.

 

However, this is costly to put in place, and means adding more doors requires the fire alarm company to fit a relay each time. So a past installation I was involved in use 3/4 pole break glass with built in alarm. When the break glass is used, it alarms locally (Flashing & sound) but one of extra poles breaks an input to the Paxton ACU. In the Net2 software a trigger rule runs emailing facilities & student support. Meaning if a door is released via a break glass without anyone else around, someone is still aware.

 

This was put in place exactly to cover a student doing a runner. All students have ID cards and they allow them to leave at any time, but if they leave during lesson time, another trigger in Net2 rules emailing student support. They can then make a judgment call on if they need to investigate or not. The break glass method above means if they use this to exit, student support still no someone might be leaving without permission.

 

Pole 1 - Maglock

Pole 2 - Internal Break Glass Alarm

Pole 3 - ACU Feedback

 

If you want more information, feel free to PM me.