Query regarding the installation of maglocks...

 

I was reading BSI "access control guide" and found the following quote...

 

"If the electromagnet is mounted on the top of the doorframe it is important that it does not restrict the height through the door sufficiently for it to become a health and safety issue. There have been a number of incidents where people have injured themselves on overhead electromagnets mounted on the doorframe."

 

By reading that, I presume it is the engineers judgement on whether or not the maglock has restricted the height sufficiently for it to be a H&S issue... I suppose a Z & L bracket can be used if applicable to get the lock itself out from under the door frame, I'm just wondering what everyone else does i.e. use there own judgement or a blanket decision not to fit them under the frame and use Z & L's...

 

By the way I'm talking about the 1200lb big locks not the 600lb mini mags!

I suppose you can only use Z/L on inward opening doors anyway.

 

Unless you use it on the "unsecured" side of the door which then needs to be properly documented somewhere.

 

We come across this all the time but specify either:

1. Different type of lock that goes in frame:

- electric lock (expensive)

- bolt

- or last resort a shear lock 

 

2. Could use a transom and if they do hit their head at least its a smoother impact than a corner of a maglock.

 

3. I have seen maglocks mounted vertically on a frame (imagine a vertical transom)

 

Hope this helps.

Low door heights I have seen plates built into the frame , nice job to, I would have thought you need a bit of experience for that

Think you have to assess the risk at the time of install or better still at the quotation stage, if the biggest ape on site is a few inches clear of a mag then I'd prefer to re quote on a safer locking device, even if its more expensive, than risk a possible public liability claim in the future.