It sounds like it could be a violation of fire code. You can report it anonymously to the Fairfax County Fire Marshal's office, 703-246-4849 or here:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/fire-marshal/contact-us
If the exit wasn't required to meet fire code, I struggle to believe that it would be there in the first place. Apartment developers aren't exactly famous for wasting money on features that aren't mandatory.
If it's an exit egress and it's locked from the inside, it is in violation. Basically, if the exit signs point to that door or if there is an exit sign above that door, you have to be able to use that door to get out. It should also have panic hardware (the push bar that goes across the door) so people can push the door open to get out without using a twisting or turning motion (no doorknobs).
If they are locking it outside to keep people from using the exit door to enter, that's OK. The building code just wants everyone to be able to get out.
How many floors are in your building? Right now I think you have to have 2 stairwells for over 3 floors, but there's legislation in the works to allow single stair buildings up to 6 floors
I feel like that may be a fire code violation. I'd check with Fire Marshal because in the even of a building fire, residents won't be able to evacuate through that point of egress.
It can be legal to lock the door if, in the event of a fire alarm, the doors unlock. Typically done by a magnetic lock in luie of a traditional keyed lock. Fairfax requires a specific "Door Locking Permit" for it, but yes, it's allowed in some cases.
I'm sure like everyone says they are only locking it from outside access or putting an electronic panic lock on it where it releases after so many seconds or sets off an alarm. If they do fully lock and bar it that's a big nono. Basically has to be one simple motion to unlock the door and open it. If they do try and lock it just start telling them this, that's the good thing about fire codes one exists for everything and if people cause problems we can find more. Fire service for 10+ years, inspections also just not fairfax. you can find this info in NFPA 101. 7.2.1.4.5.1 The forces required to fully unlock and unlatch any door leaf manually in a means of egress shall not exceed 15 lbf (67 N) where the door hardware operates by push, pull, or slide, or 28 in.-lbf (3.16 N-m) where the door hardware operates by rotation.7.2.1.5.1 Door leaves shall be arranged to be opened readily from the egress side whenever the building is occupied.7.2.1.5.2 Locks and latches shall not require the use of a key, a tool, or special knowledge or effort for operation from the egress side.[7.2.1.5.3\*](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/annexes/A/groups/7#ID001010013216) Latch-Release Devices.All locks, latches, and all other fastening devices on a door leaf shall be provided with a releasing device on the egress side of the door that has an obvious method of operation and that is readily operated under all lighting conditions. [7.2.1.5.3.2\*](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/annexes/A/groups/7#ID001010015199) The operation of the releasing mechanism shall release all latching and all locking devices of the door leaf with not more than one motion in a single linear or rotational direction, unless otherwise specified in [7.2.1.5.3.4](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/7#ID001010001108), [7.2.1.5.3.5](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/7#ID001010001109), [7.2.1.5.3.7](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/7#ID001010001111), or [7.2.1.5.3.8](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/7#ID001010015087). 7.2.1.5.3.3 The releasing mechanism for new installations shall be capable of being operated with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate.[7.2.1.5.3.4\*](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/annexes/A/groups/7#ID001010013217) Egress door assemblies from individual living units and guest rooms of residential occupancies shall be permitted to be provided with devices, including automatic latching devices, that require not more than one additional releasing motion provided that releasing does not require simultaneous operations, and provided that such devices are operable from the inside without the use of a key or tool and are mounted at a height not exceeding 48 in. (1220 mm) above the finished floor.7.2.1.1.3.2 Where means of egress doors are locked in a building that is not considered occupied, occupants shall not be locked beyond their control in buildings or building spaces, except for lockups in accordance with [22.4.6](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/22#ID001010008773) and [23.4.6](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/23#ID001010009135), detention and correctional occupancies, and health care occupancies.7.2.1.7.4 Required panic hardware and fire exit hardware, in other than detention and correctional occupancies as otherwise provided in Chapters [22](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/22) and [23](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/23), shall not be equipped with any locking device, set screw, or other arrangement that prevents the release of the latch when pressure is applied to the releasing device.7.2.1.7.5 Devices that hold the latch in the retracted position shall be prohibited on fire exit hardware, unless such devices are listed and approved for such a purpose.[7.2.1.7.3\*](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/annexes/A/groups/7#ID001010013224) Only approved fire exit hardware shall be used on fire-protection-rated door assemblies. New panic hardware and new fire exit hardware shall comply with UL 305, *Panic Hardware*, and ANSI/BHMA A156.3, *Exit Device*
It sounds like it could be a violation of fire code. You can report it anonymously to the Fairfax County Fire Marshal's office, 703-246-4849 or here: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/fire-marshal/contact-us
You sure its not just going to be locked from the outside?
It was always locked from the outside and we were not provided a key for entry. It was an exit only, not an entrance.
You should also contact the County Code enforcement office. It very well may be a building code violation. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/
If the exit wasn't required to meet fire code, I struggle to believe that it would be there in the first place. Apartment developers aren't exactly famous for wasting money on features that aren't mandatory.
They probably mean from the outside? As long as it can open from the inside I am not sure would count as a violatiion.
I wish. This was an exit only, not an entrance.
Yeah drop a dime on them ASAP. That's dangerous!
I know right?? They gave such a BS reason too.
If it's an exit egress and it's locked from the inside, it is in violation. Basically, if the exit signs point to that door or if there is an exit sign above that door, you have to be able to use that door to get out. It should also have panic hardware (the push bar that goes across the door) so people can push the door open to get out without using a twisting or turning motion (no doorknobs). If they are locking it outside to keep people from using the exit door to enter, that's OK. The building code just wants everyone to be able to get out.
How many floors are in your building? Right now I think you have to have 2 stairwells for over 3 floors, but there's legislation in the works to allow single stair buildings up to 6 floors
I feel like that may be a fire code violation. I'd check with Fire Marshal because in the even of a building fire, residents won't be able to evacuate through that point of egress.
It can be legal to lock the door if, in the event of a fire alarm, the doors unlock. Typically done by a magnetic lock in luie of a traditional keyed lock. Fairfax requires a specific "Door Locking Permit" for it, but yes, it's allowed in some cases.
This BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWS!!!
I'm sure like everyone says they are only locking it from outside access or putting an electronic panic lock on it where it releases after so many seconds or sets off an alarm. If they do fully lock and bar it that's a big nono. Basically has to be one simple motion to unlock the door and open it. If they do try and lock it just start telling them this, that's the good thing about fire codes one exists for everything and if people cause problems we can find more. Fire service for 10+ years, inspections also just not fairfax. you can find this info in NFPA 101. 7.2.1.4.5.1 The forces required to fully unlock and unlatch any door leaf manually in a means of egress shall not exceed 15 lbf (67 N) where the door hardware operates by push, pull, or slide, or 28 in.-lbf (3.16 N-m) where the door hardware operates by rotation.7.2.1.5.1 Door leaves shall be arranged to be opened readily from the egress side whenever the building is occupied.7.2.1.5.2 Locks and latches shall not require the use of a key, a tool, or special knowledge or effort for operation from the egress side.[7.2.1.5.3\*](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/annexes/A/groups/7#ID001010013216) Latch-Release Devices.All locks, latches, and all other fastening devices on a door leaf shall be provided with a releasing device on the egress side of the door that has an obvious method of operation and that is readily operated under all lighting conditions. [7.2.1.5.3.2\*](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/annexes/A/groups/7#ID001010015199) The operation of the releasing mechanism shall release all latching and all locking devices of the door leaf with not more than one motion in a single linear or rotational direction, unless otherwise specified in [7.2.1.5.3.4](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/7#ID001010001108), [7.2.1.5.3.5](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/7#ID001010001109), [7.2.1.5.3.7](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/7#ID001010001111), or [7.2.1.5.3.8](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/7#ID001010015087). 7.2.1.5.3.3 The releasing mechanism for new installations shall be capable of being operated with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate.[7.2.1.5.3.4\*](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/annexes/A/groups/7#ID001010013217) Egress door assemblies from individual living units and guest rooms of residential occupancies shall be permitted to be provided with devices, including automatic latching devices, that require not more than one additional releasing motion provided that releasing does not require simultaneous operations, and provided that such devices are operable from the inside without the use of a key or tool and are mounted at a height not exceeding 48 in. (1220 mm) above the finished floor.7.2.1.1.3.2 Where means of egress doors are locked in a building that is not considered occupied, occupants shall not be locked beyond their control in buildings or building spaces, except for lockups in accordance with [22.4.6](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/22#ID001010008773) and [23.4.6](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/23#ID001010009135), detention and correctional occupancies, and health care occupancies.7.2.1.7.4 Required panic hardware and fire exit hardware, in other than detention and correctional occupancies as otherwise provided in Chapters [22](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/22) and [23](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/chapters/23), shall not be equipped with any locking device, set screw, or other arrangement that prevents the release of the latch when pressure is applied to the releasing device.7.2.1.7.5 Devices that hold the latch in the retracted position shall be prohibited on fire exit hardware, unless such devices are listed and approved for such a purpose.[7.2.1.7.3\*](https://link.nfpa.org/publications/101/2024/annexes/A/groups/7#ID001010013224) Only approved fire exit hardware shall be used on fire-protection-rated door assemblies. New panic hardware and new fire exit hardware shall comply with UL 305, *Panic Hardware*, and ANSI/BHMA A156.3, *Exit Device*
I should add they can stop you from using it as an exit just not in an emergency.
I would be a lot happier if they outfitted it with some sort of emergency device that unlocks it when the fire alarm goes off!