When assessing the life safety aspect of a locking solution for a facility door, which statement is correct?

When assessing the life safety aspect of a locking solution for a facility door, which statement is correct?

• A. The door must be locked to prevent unauthorized entry.
• B. The door must be kept unlocked during emergencies.
• C. The door must be locked to prevent unauthorized entry, but allow those inside to exit through the door without unlocking it.
• D. The door should be decorative.

Answer: (C)

Life safety in locking solutions means balancing security with the ability to exit quickly in an emergency. The best approach is to lock the door to prevent unauthorized entry while still allowing those inside to exit through the door without unlocking it. This is typically achieved with an interior mechanism (like a push bar or lever) that unlatches for egress, while outside access remains controlled. The other ideas either ignore the need for safe egress, leave the door always open, or focus on aesthetics rather than protecting occupants, so they don’t meet the life-safety requirement.

Life safety in locking solutions means balancing security with the ability to exit quickly in an emergency. The best approach is to lock the door to prevent unauthorized entry while still allowing those inside to exit through the door without unlocking it. This is typically achieved with an interior mechanism (like a push bar or lever) that unlatches for egress, while outside access remains controlled. The other ideas either ignore the need for safe egress, leave the door always open, or focus on aesthetics rather than protecting occupants, so they don’t meet the life-safety requirement.