6 Security Gate Applications

 September 25, 2025 0 Likes 212 Views
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With more outdoor areas needing to be secured, businesses and property owners are looking for new options for exterior security hardware that can serve their needs. The challenge is finding the security hardware solution that can stand up to the weather and application conditions. There are many options available for weatherized security hardware to satisfy outdoor applications. Always remember to refer to the local life safety codes when securing any gate.

Garden Centers & Lumber Yards

Garden centers and lumber yards need to have many entry points to move materials into the sales area, but they need to funnel the consumer traffic out through only one or two exit points. Garden-center environments tend to be more damaging to the gate hardware due to the weather, the constant spraying of water and the presence of fertilizers for maintaining live inventory; and those gates require hardware that is designed to withstand the rigors of that environment. The gates in these areas require security hardware that is either alarmed or equipped with delayed egress, which can be stand-alone or connected to the greater building security system.

Courtyards

Courtyards are another area that very often needs to be secured. Courtyards have traditionally been places for social gathering and for getting some fresh air at the workplace. But now, we find that many courtyards need to be protected with secured gates to keep the general public from entering and, more importantly, to keep the people in the courtyard from leaving the area unattended. This is especially critical at memory care facilities, preschools and playgrounds. One problem with this is that the courtyard is often also used as an emergency exit route, and people must have free egress to get away from the building in case of a fire or emergency exit situation.

Courtyard gates must allow for the mounting of weatherized security hardware. Currently the most common security hardware used on courtyard gates includes delayed egress. The delayed-egress function keeps the gate locked for 15 or 30 seconds while a local alarm sounds, after which the gate opens to allow free egress. The length of the delay is specified by the local municipality’s life safety codes. These systems can be stand-alone or they can be tied into the facility’s security system.

Swimming Pools

Outdoor swimming pools are probably the most common place to find security hardware securing a gate. Swimming pools are sources of considerable liability for their owners; security hardware is an ideal way for them to secure the area outside of normal operating hours and to prevent access by people who are not authorized to use the facility. Since the gates are outdoors, they should be secured with weatherized security hardware, which will often include top and/or bottom vertical rods. It is also typically tied into a security access system and a facility’s security monitoring system, including cameras.

Stadiums

Athletic stadiums often use many secured open-air gates. This applies to stadiums that are used for outdoor sports, such as football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. These gates are typically used for deliveries and as an additional free exit after the game is over. Like courtyards, these gates allow must free egress in case of an emergency, but they must also be secured from unauthorized access or exit. The weatherized security hardware attached to these gates typically includes top and/or bottom vertical rods and is usually tied into the greater facility’s security system.

Storage Facilities

Storage facilities are also often controlled by secured gates. These businesses typically have a drive-in gate secured by an access control system, as well as a pedestrian gate that has access-controlled entrance and security hardware for exiting. This type of application usually includes weatherized security hardware with top and/or bottom vertical rods and is tied into a security system that monitors the entire facility and often includes security cameras.

Rooftops

Rooftop bars sometimes utilize a secured fence. Occupants of the bar must be able to evacuate in case of an emergency, but, for many reasons, routine use of that exit isn’t desirable for the establishment owners. This situation is similar to a courtyard because of the need for an emergency exit path. The weatherized security hardware can include delayed egress that provides a local audible alarm, and it can be tied into the security system that monitors the building and triggers the camera system. It can also be a stand-alone system with a local alarm.

Rim or Mortise Cylinder?

 June 27, 2025 0 Likes 501 Views
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rim cylinder
mortise cylinder
Advantex logo
RimMortise
Cylinder Dogging (CD)X
Electric Unlock Trim (EU, EU2W, EUV)X
08/09D, 08/09DN, 08/09DNV, 08/09DV X
03WS, 03WSVX
03C, 03CN, 03CNV, 03CVX
03CMX
03ZX
03WMX
03RX
03CBKX
Hardwired Exit Alarm (EA)X
Weatherized Exit Alarm with Battery (EB W)X
Delayed Egress (EE)X
Electric Integration (EI)X
Value Series logo
RimMortise
Cylinder Dogging (CD)X
03WSX
03P, 03PNX
03A, 03ANX
08/09BNX
Electric Unlock Trim (EU2W)X
Hardwired Exit Alarm (EA)X
Exit Alarm with Battery (EB)X
Weatherized Exit Alarm with Battery (EB W)X
Delayed Egress (EE)X
EAX logo
RimMortise
EAX-500X
EAX-2500X
EAX-3500X
EAX-4200X
EAX-300X
ECL logo
RimMortise
ECL-230DX
ECL-230X (TD, TDB, TB)X
ECL-600X
ECL-620X
90 Series logo
RimMortise
(F)90KR(E)X
Miscellaneous
RimMortise
CSX

What You Need to Know About Exit Routes: A Guide to Compliance and Safety

 March 3, 2025 0 Likes 2698 Views
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In an emergency, a well-maintained exit route can mean the difference between chaos and a safe evacuation. Exit routes are not just a critical component of workplace safety—they’re also a legal requirement under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. This blog post explains what exit routes are, their requirements, and how to ensure your building remains code-compliant.

What Is an Exit Route?

OSHA defines an exit route as a continuous and unobstructed path that allows occupants to travel from any point within a workplace to a safe location.

An exit route consists of three key components:

  1. Exit Access: The path leading to the exit.
  2. The Exit: The actual door or area, separated from other spaces, that provides safe passage during an evacuation.
  3. Exit Discharge: The portion of the route that leads outside to a street, open space, walkway, or refuge area.

Requirements for Exit Route Compliance

To ensure safety and compliance, exit routes must meet specific requirements:

  1. Unlocked Doors
    • Exit doors must be unlocked from the inside.
    • Devices or alarms on doors (e.g., delayed egress) must not restrict use in an emergency unless explicitly approved by your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
  2. Swing Direction
    • Exit doors must swing outwards in the direction of travel during an evacuation.
  3. Clear Width
    • The minimum width of an exit is 36 inches, with a clear opening of at least 32 inches.
    • The maximum width of a single opening is 48 inches, but exceptions allow for clear widths as narrow as 28 inches.
  4. Lighting and Signage
    • Emergency lighting and exit signs must be provided and adequate for individuals with normal vision.
  5. Permanent and Unobstructed Routes
    • Exit routes must be permanent, unobstructed by materials, equipment, or debris.
    • Chains, deadbolts, or dead-end corridors are prohibited.
  6. Accessible Exits
    • Exit routes must lead to a safe location, such as a street, refuge area, or open space with access to the outdoors.
  7. Fire-Rated Doors and Labels
    • Fire-rated exit doors require labeling from third-party agencies such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL), Warnock Hersey (WH), or Intertek Testing Services (ITS).

Special Considerations for Fire Exits

Fire exits are an essential part of many buildings, often located inside and not part of an external wall. Here are some critical rules for fire exits and fire exit devices:

  1. Projection Limits
    • Exit devices cannot project more than 4 inches from the door (per Section 1003.3.2 of the 2018 International Building Code).
  2. Fire Door Standards
    • Fire exits must be equipped with self-closing fire-rated doors that automatically re-latch or re-lock upon closure.
    • Fire exit devices must pass rigorous testing to prove their ability to keep doors secure during a fire emergency.
  3. Time Ratings
    • Fire exit devices must display a time rating from a third-party agency—typically 20 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or 3 hours.
  4. Dogging Mechanisms
    • Mechanical dogging (which prevents re-latching) is not allowed. However, electric dogging is permitted for fire-rated exit devices.

Did you know?
Many exit routes are overlooked during routine building inspections. Improperly maintained or obstructed exits can result in citations, fines, or worse—endanger lives in an emergency.

Maintaining Exit Route Compliance

To stay compliant and ensure safety:

  • Conduct regular inspections of all exit routes, ensuring they are clear and functional.
  • Verify that all exit devices meet the appropriate fire-rating standards.
  • Consult with your local AHJ to confirm compliance with jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Having proper exit routes is not just about meeting code—it’s about ensuring that everyone in your building has a safe path to escape during an emergency.

Need help with exit route hardware?

Contact us today for expert guidance on maintaining safe, compliant exit routes in your facility.