With special provisions and approvals from the authority having jurisdiction, it is acceptable for "delayed exit" devices to have which of the…

According to prevailing life safety codes, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Life Safety Code®, a delayed-egress locking system is typically permitted to have a delay of 15 seconds. However, the code includes special provisions that allow the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to approve an extended delay time of up to 30 seconds. This provision requires specific conditions to be met and a formal approval process. Therefore, the maximum acceptable range for these devices, when special approval is granted, is 15 to 30 seconds. This delay is intended to balance security needs with life safety by allowing staff time to respond to unauthorized exit attempts while still permitting egress in an emergency.

A. 1-5 seconds: This time is too short to serve the security function of a delayed exit device, which is to deter theft or allow for a security response.

B. 5-15 seconds: This range correctly identifies the standard 15-second delay but fails to include the maximum 30-second delay permitted with special AHJ approval.

D. 30-45 seconds: Any delay exceeding 30 seconds is not permitted by major life safety codes, as it would present an unacceptable risk to occupants during an emergency.

1. Fennelly

L. J. (Ed.). (2012). Effective Physical Security (4th ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. In Chapter 11

"Locks

" the text discusses special locking arrangements

including delayed egress

and references the NFPA 101 standard time limits of 15 or 30 seconds as approved by the AHJ.

2. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (2021). NFPA 101: Life Safety Code®. Section 7.2.1.6.1

"Delayed-Egress Locking Systems

" paragraph (3) states

"An irreversible process shall release the lock within 15 seconds...Where approved by the authority having jurisdiction

the time to release the lock shall be permitted to be increased to not more than 30 seconds."

3. International Code Council (ICC). (2021). International Building Code (IBC). Section 1010.2.13

"Delayed egress locks

" paragraph 3 specifies

"The lock shall unlock...after an irreversible process that will release the lock in 15 seconds

or 30 seconds where approved by the building official."

4. ASIS International. (2021). Protection of Assets (POA)

Physical Security. The section on Access Control discusses special egress control devices and their compliance with life safety codes

referencing the 15-second and 30-second (with AHJ approval) standards from NFPA 101.