Emergency egress and Security Turnstiles – Safety Engineering (SAFTENG)

Many facilities have security requirements due to their handling, storage, and/or processing of certain hazardous materials. These facilities will use perimeter security barriers such as fencing and personnel turnstiles. And one of the top egress questions we get during audits is regarding the security turnstiles that are also part of the emergency egress path. OSHA’s 1910.36 sorts of covers turnstiles, if you have an open mind!

1910.36(d)(1) Employees must be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge. A device such as a panic bar that locks only from the outside is permitted on exit discharge doors.

1910.36(d)(2) Exit route doors must be free of any device or alarm that could restrict emergency use of the exit route if the device or alarm fails.

But the 2021 IFC specifically covers security turnstiles, from the short type we see in subway stations and amusement park entrances/exits to the full size turnstiles used at industrial facilities for security. The IFC requires the following WHEN the turnstile(s) is part of the means of egress:

1010.5.2 Security access turnstiles

Security access turnstiles that inhibit travel in the direction of egress utilizing a physical barrier shall be permitted to be considered as a component of the means of egress, provided that all of the following criteria are met:

1. The building is protected throughout by an approved , supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

2. Each security access turnstile lane configuration has a minimum clear passage width of 22 inches (559 mm).

3. Any security access turnstile lane configuration providing a clear passage width of less than 32 inches (810 mm) shall be credited with a maximum egress capacity of 50 persons.

4. Any security access turnstile lane configuration providing a clear passage width of 32 inches (810 mm) or more shall be credited with a maximum egress capacity as calculated in accordance with Section 1005.
5. Each secured physical barrier shall automatically retract or swing to an unobstructed open position in the direction of egress, under each of the following
conditions:

5.1. Upon loss of power to the turnstile or any part of the access control system that secures the physical barrier.

5.2. Upon actuation of a clearly identified manual release device with ready access that results in direct interruption of power to each secured physical barrier, after which such barriers remain in the open position for not less than 30 seconds. The manual release device shall be positioned at one of the following locations:

5.2.1. On the egress side of each security access turnstile lane.

5.2.2. At an approved location where it can be actuated by an employee assigned to the area at all times that the building is occupied.

5.3. Upon actuation of the building fire alarm system, if provided, after which the physical barrier remains in the open position until the fire alarm system is manually reset.

Exception: Actuation of a manual fire alarm box.

5.4. Upon actuation of the building automatic sprinkler system or fire detection system, after which the physical barrier remains in the open position until the fire alarm system is manually reset.

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