Inspected a house today that had a thumb-activated exterior door knob, but the interior was a simple turn latch. There was an interior faux doorknob above the latch, the that actual opening mechanism was activated by the turn latch below the doorknob. It was confusing as to how to open the door and how to lock it. I could see this presenting an egress concern, but I haven’t been able to find anything that addresses it. Has anyone else seen a situation like this? I’ve written it up as “The current front door opening mechanism is difficult to operate from the interior and may present an egress concern in the event of a fire. Recommend considering a standard opening mechanism be installed.”
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Here you go Anthony:
"Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge.”
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'What is a?
How did the door lock? Was the door lock actuated with a thumb turn mechanism?
My exterior door has the same exterior handle (with a knob on the inside) and a deadbolt above (with an interior thumb latch).
Sounds to me like it was improperly installed. The “faux” door knob should actuate the latch just as the thumb button does on the outside. Still needs a deadbolt to secure the premises.
Hello Robert “faux” as in; imitation or artifical. The door knob did not turn and appeared to be there only for looks. The door locked using the thumb turn mechanism. In this case, turning the thumb latch in one direction would operate a deadbolt lock, while turning it in another direction would actuate the latch as the thumb button does on the outside. If you’re not familiar with the door then it’s not easy to open. On the exterior of the door you see the deadbolt lock (where the key is located) above the thumb latch.
Hey Larry, That’s good enough for me! Thanks a bunch.
What Robert describes and what is in the photo is exactly what I have on one of my doors as well.
I know what faux means. Bthe door handle on the interior should be below the deadbolt. Opposite the entry handle on the exterior. It is an installation error. Awkward but not a defect.