Double Keyed Door

Specific Inspection Topics Exterior Inspections
1

The home I inspected yesterday had two exterior doors in the dining room. Both were full glass doors, and had interior keyed deadbolts. I can’t find a specific code, only that the egress door has to be operated without a key. One could argue the front door is the egress, so the back doors can have keys. I think they are a fire safety hazard, because a panicked person in a smoke filled room may not be able to operated the key, and because one key fits both doors, and the key is left in one door or the other.

Anybody have an opinion as to whether it’s actually against a code, or if I’m just being a picky Deal Killer?

2

CYA.
I did not do code inspections .
Write this up hard it is a fire escape hazard .

3

Some should blog about double keyed deadbolts :wink:

4

That was my plan…

Thanks Roy!

5

nice…you just wanted some SEO juice, didn’t ya Juan!! :cool:

6

I can’t be any higher on google :). I just wanted to help.

7

Thanks Juan. You have helped…again! :smiley:

8

Double cylinder is against codes here and I would suggest them as safety hazards anyway.

You brought it up here because you feel the same way.

9

Against code here and not allowed by HUD.

10

Once again, you are correct Bob.

I was just unable to find the specific code, but even if it’s code compliant, it’s still a safety hazard in my book, and I will write it up as such.

thanx

11

Yeah… Depending on the circumstance, they’re not a good idea.

Jeff

12

Yes, a potential safety hazard, it is…good thread.

What would happen if the fire was blazing away between you (and your loved ones) and the door that didn’t need the key to get out? :shock:

13

Ok ! Code junkies!.. I hate alarmest !
I have it on my home,but…
Call it out without freaking everyone out !
…
One or more exterior egress doors use "keyed deadbolt locks " on the inside. Although commonly used for security against intruders, this is not a good practice, and can obstruct or impede egress out of the home in case of an emergency. Some building standards require egress doors to have keyless operation from the inside. For safety purposes, all exterior locks on egress doors should be thumb-latched on the inside.
…
The Law! Oh my !

R311.1 Means of egress. All dwellings shall be provided with
a means of egress as provided in this section. The means of
egress shall provide a continuous and unobstructed path of vertical
and horizontal egress travel from all portions of the dwelling
to the exterior of the dwelling at the required egress door
without requiring travel through a garage.
R311.2 Egress door. At least one egress door shall be provided
for each dwelling unit. The egress door shall be side-hinged,
and shall provide a minimum clear width of 32 inches (813
mm) when measured between the face of the door and the stop,
with the door open 90 degrees (1.57 rad). The minimum clear
height of the door opening shall not be less than 78 inches
(1981 mm) in height measured from the top of the threshold to
the bottom of the stop. Other doors shall not be required to
comply with these minimum dimensions. Egress doors shall be
readily openable from inside the dwelling without the use of a
key or special knowledge or effort.

14

I’d throw the couch through the window.:smiley:

15

what would happen if the fire was in couch lol
;-):mrgreen:

16

Bro. Wilson
I have 15 jokes to follow that line,…:smiley:

17

Nice one…but, I couldn’t lift our couch, Roy. Would it be okay to use the coffee table?:D:p:mrgreen:

18

Wayne fought many a fires voluntarily, as I recall…:smiley:

Thanks, Wayne.

19

Throw the wife through the window if you got good insurance on her.
You can always say you were trying to save her life…Just jokin’

Roy Lewis

20

If I could catch my wife on fire ( You know what I’m talkin’ about) I’d be extremely happy after been married for over 40 years.:smiley: