Has any one done a prison lately? We have one under construction and they refuse to install panic bars on the doors of the electrical room. It is a 480 volt 2200 amp service.
Apparently the American Jailers association doesn't allow this. I will get more information later but just was curious.
I would'nt want to be in this room in the event of a serious arc flash explosion, with the locks they have on the doors.

We have a private prison under construction in our county now. When I did the plan review it was approved as noted. The notes were in reference to that ART. I guess we will see what happens when they get to that point.

Sorry this is an I3 occupancy and although there are some exceptions obviously for locked egress the Electrical room is not one of them. How did this get past plan review. It must have panic hardware. End of story.

Now for the devil's advocate. I love this when I'm not the Inspector.
Alternate material & methods as allowed by the FBC Chapter #1.
The required doors can be opened fully against the wall and hardware has been provided so that the doors can latched/locked open.Evey Electrician carries locks for lockout tagout. Open the doors and look it in the open position.

I was the electrical inspector for the construction of the 7 story jail in Pinellas County. They had the panic hardware. I never heard of the American Jailer's Association and I doubt you are going to get adequate documentation from such.

I would think the nec takes precedence.

The FBC is the Code not the NEC. It just uses the portions of the NEC that it wants. The admin Chap. clearly states that alternative methods that are equal to or greater can be utilized.If indeed there was a legitimate reason why panic hardware couldn't be used I would allow this with extensive documentation. I wouldn't allow it just because they didn't want to do it.

I have a copy of the Florida Model Jail Standards (Jan. 2008). It may not answer all of your questions but it is good reading. It is a pdf but I don't see a way to attach it. I can email it to anyone interested.

I can put it on my web site if you like. Then everyone can see it

gfretwell@aol.com

I sent it as an attachment to an email.