(1) The facility must follow the provisions of the 2000 Edition of the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, (LSC). A copy of this publication can be obtained from the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Quality Assurance Division, Licensure Bureau, 2401 Colonial Drive, P.O. Box 202953, Helena MT 59620-2953.

(2) The 2000 Edition of the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, (LSC), has the following requirements for special locking arrangements for a secured SCSF unit. LSC 5-2.1.6.1 states:

(a) In buildings protected throughout by an approved supervised automatic fire detection system or approved supervised automatic sprinkler system and when permitted by chapters 8 through 30, doors in low or ordinary hazard areas, as defined by LSC 4-2.2, may be equipped with approved, listed, locking devices which shall:

(i) unlock upon actuation of an approved supervised automatic fire detection system or approved supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with LSC 7-6 or 7-7; and

(ii) unlock upon loss of power controlling the lock or locking mechanism; and

(iii) initiate an irreversible process which will release the lock within 15 seconds whenever a force of not more than 15 pounds (67N) is continuously applied, for a period of not more than three seconds to the release device required in LSC 5-2.1.5.3. Relocking of such doors shall be by manual means only. Operation of the release device shall activate a signal in the vicinity of the door for assuring those attempting to exit that the system is functional. Exception to this subsection: The authority having jurisdiction may approve a delay not to exceed 30 seconds provided that reasonable life safety is assured pursuant to LSC 5-2.1.6.2. A sign shall be provided on the door adjacent to the release device which reads:

(A) Sign letters shall be at least one inch (2.5cm) high and one eighth inch (0.3cm) wide stroke.

(3) The department shall grant an SCSF exception to the LSC code - Special Locking Arrangements, based on an equivalency for the automatically releasing, panic hardware required by LSC 5-2.1.6.1. All of the following conditions shall apply to granting the exception:

(a) the use of mechanical locks, such as dead bolt, is not permitted. All locks used must be electromagnetically controlled;

(b) all secured doors in the unit must have a manual electronic key pad which must release the door after entry of the proper code sequence;

(c) all locks on all secured doors must automatically release upon any of the following conditions:

(i) the actuation of the approved supervised automatic fire alarm system;

(ii) the actuation of an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system;

(iii) loss of the public utility power controlling locks; and

(iv) a staff accessible switch at the staff station which is capable of releasing all doors.