Delayed Egress Locking Systems
WHY DELAYED EGRESS?
Based on acceptance by the door hardware and security industry starting in 1981, Delayed Egress has become a recognized code compliant exit door solution for a variety of non-emergency security applications – while still providing immediate release with smoke or fire detection or other condition as needed.
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Table of Contents
What are Delayed Egress Locking Systems?
Delayed Egress Systems are door locking solutions designed for use in non-emergency situations to prevent a door from opening immediately when egress is attempted. Fire, Life Safety and Building codes usually require that occupants can freely exit in a single motion to unlatch the door without special knowledge, effort, or the use of a key or tool. Delayed Egress systems are an exception to the rule.
Typically used on exit doors, when unauthorized egress is initiated in the locked mode, Delayed Egress locks delay egress through the door for 15 or 30 seconds. Meanwhile, the person exiting must wait while personnel or security respond. The door unlocks after the delay has elapsed, permitting egress. A signal from the fire life safety system will release the lock for uninhibited egress in an emergency.
How Did We Get Here?
Life safety and security needs often create conflicts and emergency exit doors are a prime example. Prior to 1981, emergency exit doors could only be locked by means of a latching exit device. Frequently, alarm devices were paired with the door to sound when egress was attempted. Although immediate egress was always possible, little security was provided. Because of this it was not uncommon to find exit devices chained and/or padlocked illegally during certain times of the day.
In 1981, the NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code was changed to allow for a 15 second delayed release of a failsafe locking device on openings of this type to provide more security without compromising life safety. The locking device is to be connected to an alarm system to allow for immediate release during a fire or other emergency.
What Happened Next?
SDC responded to the change in code by pioneering the delayed egress locking category, patenting the first exit door security system with a 15 second delayed door release in 1985. Then, in 1995, we patented and launched ExitCheck® – the world's first delayed egress lock to integrate a visual digital display, verbal countdown and alarm tone, alternating verbal message and door release indicator. Since then, SDC has continued to develop the broadest line of delayed egress locking solutions with a proven record of safety, security and reliability.
Addressing Misconceptions
One of the more common misconceptions is that exit from a building is delayed during an emergency – think smoke or fire detection – endangering lives. Delayed egress is first and foremost a fail-safe electric locking system: if power to the system is ever lost for whatever reason, the fail-safe electric lock will release immediately, allowing for egress without delay in an emergency. The system is also connected to the fire panel release of an alarm system, again providing for uninhibited egress in an emergency.
Addressing Misapplications
Delayed Egress Systems were not designed for active shooter situations – Lockdown solutions are used to keep occupants safe from outside intruders while still providing for egress and outside access by first responders. Should an owner have concerns about an active shooter situation on a perimeter door secured with Delayed Egress, an optional legal release may be included for immediate release of the lock by authorized personnel using an "OPTIONAL AUTHORIZED RELEASE" input.
Delayed Egress Electric Locking Circuit
Common Applications
Delayed Egress Systems let facility management secure perimeter doors during normal business hours to prevent theft – like warehouse back doors, and to ensure public safety, like jetway & tarmac doors at airports – while still allowing for egress in the event of an emergency. Delayed Egress Systems reduce an occupant's stress by communicating the door status verbally and visually while maintaining safety and security needs.
Pedestrian Traffic Control & Theft Protection
Delayed Egress systems are used to control pedestrian traffic in government, public and transportation facilities, including airport jetways and tarmacs, to prevent unauthorized access/egress and control traffic in designated areas. They also provide theft protection of merchandise, technology and other valuables such as art and museum artifacts in stores, warehouses, art galleries, museums and technology facilities.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports a surge in theft and violent crime due to highly organized retail crime rings – in 2022, retailer losses (shrink) amounted to nearly $100 billion dollars.
Wandering Patients & Infant Protection
Delayed Egress locks restrict movement of wandering patients in senior assisted living, psychiatric, and drug rehab facilities – critical to the care of Dementia-Alzheimer patients – while allowing freedom of movement and protecting against dangerous elopement situations. They are also used to guard against infant abduction in hospital nurseries, and can be compatible with popular patient tracking systems.
Proper Application Must Comply With Codes
A Delayed Egress System must comply with all national and regional building and fire life safety codes and the NFPA 101 section on Special Locking Arrangements. Some common requirements are:
- The delayed egress lock must be approved or listed for installation on doors serving occupancy levels as specified per prevailing code (consult your AHJ for complete details).
- The doors must unlock upon activation of an automatic sprinkler or fire detection system.
- The doors must unlock upon loss of power controlling the delayed egress locking device.
- The delayed egress locks shall be unlocked by a signal from the fire command center.
- Applying no more than 15 lbs of pressure will start an irreversible process to unlock the door. Nuisance delay varies per code.
- An alarm must sound at the opening upon initiation of the release process.
- A sign must be applied to the door.
Check With Your Local AHJ: As always, we strongly recommend checking with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) regarding code compliance before considering or installing any type of Delayed Egress System.
SDC Delayed Egress Systems & Application Attributes
ExitCheck® 1511S and 1511T Series Integrated Delayed Egress Locks for single and double doors and 1581S Series Mini Integrated Delayed Egress Locks consist of an electromagnetic lock with built-in delayed egress logic. The ExitCheck® line of Delayed Egress locks were the world's first to integrate a visual digital display, verbal countdown and alarm tone with an alternating verbal message and door release indicator.
Integrated Delayed Egress Locks
1511S / 1511T (1,650 lbs) & 1581S Mini (650 lbs)
All SDC Integrated Delayed Egress Locks are compatible with Access Controls and Wandering Patient, Infant Abduction and Patient Tracking Systems. Latching door applications are activated by door movement when used with an existing standard mechanical exit device or lockset – no power transfer device required. Reset and bypass controls may be built into the lock or wall mounted, typically the most economical installation with the least components and minimum wiring.
Component Delayed Egress System
101-DE & 101-KDE Controllers
ExitCheck® 101-DE Series Delayed Egress Controllers are a two-piece system typically consisting of a slave magnetic lock or exit device controlled by a separate wall mount box with integrated delayed egress logic. Slave devices include the 1511DE, 1571DE, 1581DE and 1575/76DE EMLocks and the S6000-DES / S6300-DES exit devices. Reset and bypass controls are conveniently located adjacent to the door.
Integrated Delayed Egress Exit Devices
S6000-101 Series and S6300-101 Series All-In-One Delayed Egress Exit Devices are equipped with a motor that is controlled by delayed egress logic housed in a Rim (S61), Surface Vertical Rod (S62) or Mortise (S63) exit device.
- Latching door application: activated by depressing the exit device push pad. Delayed egress electronics located in the exit bar.
- UL Listed power transfer device required for fire rated doors.
- Reset and bypass controls are conveniently located in the exit devices.
Code Compliance
Delayed Egress Locking Systems must comply with the applicable national and regional building and fire codes recognized by your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ):
SDC Operation Mode Features
| Code | Applicable Standards | Operation |
|---|---|---|
| NA | NFPA, UBC, IBC, IFC, SBC | Delay 15 or 30 sec, Nuisance 1 or 2 sec, Manual Reset, Power Up Locked or Unlocked |
| ND | NFPA, UBC, IBC, IFC, SBC | Fixed 15 sec, Nuisance 0 or 1 sec, Manual Reset, Power Up Locked or Unlocked |
| NH | NFPA, UBC, IBC, IFC, SBC | Fixed 30 sec, Nuisance 0 or 1 sec, Manual Reset, Power Up Locked or Unlocked |
| NC | NFPA, UBC, IBC, IFC, SBC, CBC | Fixed 15 sec, Nuisance 0 or 1 sec, Manual Reset, Power Up Unlocked |
| BD | BOCA | Fixed 15 sec, Nuisance 0 or 1 sec, Auto/Manual Reset, Power Up Locked or Unlocked |
| BH | BOCA | Fixed 30 sec, Nuisance 0 or 1 sec, Auto/Manual Reset, Power Up Locked or Unlocked |
| BC | BOCA, Chicago | Fixed 15 sec, Nuisance 0 sec, Auto/Manual Reset, Power Up Locked or Unlocked |
Listing and Performance Specifications
ABOUT ANSI AND BHMA
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has adopted design and performance standards established by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA). All delayed egress devices should meet the following applicable standards.
- ANSI/BHMA A156.4 – minimum criteria for all delayed egress electronic logic, initiation and reset process.
- ANSI/BHMA A156.23 – minimum mechanical, electrical and holding force requirements for magnetic delayed egress locks. All SDC Exit Check Delayed Egress Locks are Grade 1 Compliant (1,000,000 cycles).
- ANSI/BHMA A156.5 – minimum load and cycle capabilities of mechanical exit devices. All SDC exit devices meet Grade 1 for up to 3 hr fire rated doors.
REQUIRED UL LISTINGS
Confirms the design is electrically safe and tested for its intended purpose. All delayed egress devices should meet the following applicable UL test requirements.
- FWAX Special Locking Arrangements
- GWXT Auxiliary Lock (magnetic lock portion)
- UL10C Positive Pressure Compliant
- Fire Exit Hardware listing for fire rated doors
BHMA Certification
BHMA Certification indicates the delayed egress lock complies with all ANSI and BHMA performance criteria, and that it has passed an independent static pull test and a dynamic impact test for holding force. To maintain certification, locks are periodically re-tested by Intertek Laboratories to ensure they continue to meet ANSI/BHMA A156.23 and A156.5 standards – the only certification in the industry that verifies the magnetic door lock design and holding force continues to meet standard.
UL "Listed" vs UL "Recognized"
UL's Component Recognition Service covers the testing and evaluation of individual components that are incomplete or restricted in performance capabilities. These recognized components are not intended for separate installation in the field – they are intended for use as components of complete equipment submitted for investigation and subsequent UL Listing. The C preceding the listing symbol indicates the product is also UL Listed for use in Canada.
California State Fire Marshal Listed
This listing is required for California installations. The State of California is well known for consistently setting the highest standards for fire life safety in the world.
