Door locks from inside, prohibiting easy exit. Fire safety hazard?

Question

The building I recently moved into has a door (in the basement) which opens into the parking garage. The door locks from the INSIDE. Meaning, you cannot leave the building/enter the garage without a key. However, the same door is open from the OUTSIDE and you can walk right into the building. Granted, the door in the garage IS inside the garage. In order for someone to "walk right into" the building, they would have to be in the garage ~ either have a garage door remote or stealthily follow someone into the garage. I wonder if it isn't a fire hazard to have a door in a condo building which does not allow exit without a key. I would think it made more sense to allow ANYONE to EXIT the building, but only those with keys to ENTER the building from within the garage. Anyone know if this is in violation of Chicago Fire Code?

Answer 1

I would suggest that the garage is also considered "inside" and so an inside-to-inside door can be locked without difficulty. Most are.

The logic isn't difficult - the cars are probably more valuable and more prone to vandalism and break-ins than the basement corridor. Just because you get into the building, doesn't mean you have easy access to break into the cars.

The fire Marshall or city inspectors are probably more concerned with whether there is an easy exit from the public areas of the building to OUTSIDE in the event of a fire. I would think the corridor (I assume, in the basement) needs no-lock access to a stairwell to outside; that stairwell should be the standard North American "no-combustible-materials" concrete stairwell with fire doors, no locks between you and outside except maybe an alarmed door.

If that exit is available, it is probably sufficient for fire code; and safer than running through a garge filled with cars with gas tanks.

Whether it is sensible security-wise to allow a person to get into the building if they tailgate a car into the garage - stupid, but not illegal. The most logical security is to lock everything and make residents carry a key.

Answer 2

Fire Safety Door Locks

Answer 3

Sounds like someone installed the lockset backwards. It could be a violation. Call the Building & Safety Dept and ask them. They should send an inspector out to check it.

Answer 4

Make an anonymous report to the Fire Marshal's office and they'll do a surprise inspection.

Answer 5

Call the fire marshal, it sounds to me like the door is installed backwards.

Answer 6

You are correct. There are reason to concerned, you need to contact your local Fire Department and get this changed asap.