The International Building Code allows delayed egress as a way of controlling foot traffic through a door that is typically part of a path of egress or emergency exit. Although there are several different types of systems, delayed egress is typically incorporated into an panic / exit device and most manufacturers offer some type of delayed egress as part of their panic exit hardware offering.
Typically an alarm will sound when the someone presses on the panic exit bar in an attempt to exit through the door. Although the alarm is sounding the panic exit device prevents someone from exiting for a period of time, typically 15 seconds, while the alarm continues to sound. The panic exit device will allow someone to exit after the delay time has expired.
Delayed egress can be used in many different applications including:
- Slow down shoplifters, preventing them from quickly taking items out a side door or rear door (grab & run) to a waiting "getaway" car
- Prevent children from exiting through a door or gate into a dangerous situation
- Protect memory care patients and residents from wandering away from their care facility
- Control access at transportation terminals, preventing passengers from accessing dangerous equipment and secure areas
- Help prevent prisoners from fleeing courthouses, jails and other government buildings
What to consider prior to purchasing delayed egress door hardware
- All delayed egress hardware available today is powered by 12V or 24V and must be powered by a low voltage power supply (battery powered delayed egress is not currently available from any manufacturer)
- All delayed egress hardware should be approved by the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), which could be a code official, city engineer or fire marshal, depending on your state or municipality
- Some code officials (AHJ) within the US and Canada will only allow delayed egress under certain criteria or restrictions, while others do not allow delayed egress to be installed
- To properly install delayed egress, there are typically three tradesman that must coordinate the installation; door hardware installer, electrician and fire alarm technician.
- All delayed egress must be connected to a fire alarm override, providing for free egress, without delay during a fire emergency
- Some local codes have special exceptions and restrictions regarding how a delayed egress system is reset and rearmed following a fire emergency, however all locations have special requirements for the door signage
- If a path of egress at your facility has more than one door, most code officials or AHJs will only allow one delayed egress panic exit device within each path of egress. Get recommendations from a door hardware expert, architectural hardware consultant, or security consultant regarding which door within the path of egress should have delayed egress and which doors you might avoid delayed egress
- Choosing to employee delayed egress should be considered carefully. In today's society, there are many threats to be considered and fire emergencies are not the only panic emergency that we face. Consulting with architects, door hardware experts, architectural hardware consultants or security consultants can help choose the right delayed egress hardware for your facility and help provide the proper safety override switches to consider
- Before choosing a manufacturer, consider all the doors within your facility and how delayed egress will add to the security of your campus. Some delayed egress systems are designed to integrate with ADA swing door operators, while others are better choices for access control doors, while some delayed egress systems are designed for use outdoors
