Captain Michael Janson from Sunrise (FL) sent in this photo that was taken by Lt K. Neumann. They found this set-up during some routine area familiarization. The door was screwed shut with some tap-cons and electrical conduit was run across it. Once they found it, they notified their Fire Marshalls office to look into it. While it may be very possible that this exit was no longer needed by code (for some unthinkable reason), if its visible from the inside, it may cause a situation for crews operating inside. Without being 100% sure of which way the power is fed makes removing this a little dicey for the outside team. After the main power to the building is cut is one thing, but what’s to say this was even tied into that? It’s probably safe to say that this was not installed by a real electrician. If it was, they certainly didn’t have much attention to detail, and perhaps their work should not be trusted.
Anytime you are the crew are out, or on your way back to quarters, take the opportunity to go behind one of your strip malls. Interesting finds like this, and other supplemental locks are all over the place. It’s a great training opportunity for you and the rest of the crew. When interesting situations are found be sure to pass it on to the other crews, and send a picture to your favorite truck company website!
As was noted, there are times when renovations change the layout and old EXIT doors are no longer required. Like sprinkler systems that are discontinued, there should be rules about doors. When a sprinkler is “legally” removed the FDC, all heads and exposed branch pipe is supposed to be removed so there is no question. We had one building recently that after 15 years found their sprinkler was not active, and their insurance had been calling them sprinklered.
On the doors, we should be requiring they be marked in some fashion so we know there is nothing inside (no void of any type). This is an issue we see on a somewhat consistent basis and seeing it here makes me think it’s time for a local ordinance on discontinued doors.
I mean is it really that hard to put the panel on the other side?? Or to just go around the top of the door??…. Just because a means of egress is no longer needed according to the fire and building code, it does not mean we have to do away with it. If a trapped occupant or lost brother or sister firefighter sees this door it may only provide false hope… So its more than just an inconvenience.
What did the inside look like?
The knob and lock should have been removed and the entire recessed area for the door should have been filled.(plywood)
Someone should be talking to that electrician
It would be nice to see what the inside looks like. I have seen a few times when a door, similar to this one was completely covered by machinery or a process and therefore there was not a hint from the inside that a door ever existed. A good time to address this would be during the permitting phase. The second time it should be addressed is during those pre-plans. I am not aware of a code that prohibits this, there may be one, but a change to the code would be something to consider.Good job to the crew who found this and thank you for getting out of your station and training.
I am personally not a big fan of the “doggy door” method of forcible entry. I would rather have the entire doorway opened up and not crawl through a smaller than necessary opening to get into a fire building. The whole company may be trying to use that same door as an exit simultaneously if things go bad. That being said, every tactic has its time and place and the “doggy door” seems like a useful trick here. Making entry through the half door created by the doggy door cut may not be the best idea depending on conditions but as a secondary means of egress for companies operating on the interior it is certainly better than nothing.
This is clearly not a permitted job. Whether the “electrician” is licensed is unclear, but should loose it if he has one. If a door is no longer required, it should be walled over. This is one where the occupant must be made to correct it. Great pics Lt. Neumann, strong work!!!
That’s what she said!
Maybey they should have the people making the fake window coverings do a quick cheap job here, they could paint something like a set of stairs or an open elavator to disguise the crappy electrical work. I wonder how many locking mechanisms are still active/working on this door? We just had an inspection on a local buisness that had a door that opened up to a solid wall, and the door had 3 locking mechanisms still in working order!!! Im sure the clever minds involved with this site could develop a few unique ideas on how to handle this…
This is a horrible site, obviously not the first though… Atleast the bottom of the doorway could be cut (K12) for access. Maybe the local station should do some K12 training on this door!?!?