City Of St Louis, Missouri Emergency Egress Laws

I have been looking into the particular rules for the City of St Louis, Missouri Emergency Egress laws, in order to be able to accurately and efficiently make the correct recommendations to potential customers.

St Louis City Revised Code Chapter 25.06: FIRE PREVENTION CODE, includes the following bylaws in section F4702.1 MEANS OF EGRESS.

SECTION F-4702.0 MEANS OF EGRESS

F-4702.1 Number of exits: In nonresidential buildings, every occupied story more than six stories above grade shall be provided with not less than two independent exits. In residential buildings, every story exceeding two stories above grade shall be provided with not less than two independent exits. In stories where more than one exit is required, all occupants shall have access to at least two exits. Every occupied story which is both completely below grade and greater than 2,000 square feet (186 m2) shall be provided with not less than two independent exits.

Exception: A single exit is acceptable under any one of the following conditions:

1. Where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system and an approved automatic fire detection system with smoke detectors located in all corridors, lobbies and common areas.

2. Where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic fire detection system, and the exit is an approved smokeproof enclosure or pressurized stairway.

3. Where an existing fire escape complying with the building code listed in Chapter 44 is provided in addition to the single exit.

4. Where permitted by the building code listed in Chapter 44.

Next, we will look at Chapter 44 to determine correct definitions and code compliance requirements.

Update: Chapter 44 appears to be elusive.

Guard Dog Portable Alarm

The Guard Dog is a portable door guard equipped with a siren alarm. When the Guard Dog is activated with the motion sensitivity switch, a 120+ decibel siren sounds if the door or door handle is moved. The Guard Dog is ideal for keeping you and your loved ones safe from harm. Its folding, shock-corded design snaps together in seconds and works on most door handle styles. It comes with leg extenders, allowing the guard dog to fit any sized door. It is equipped with a steel leg preventing the door from opening, and has a non-skid foot that grips any floor surface. The Guard Dog folds to a compact 12" x 5" size making it portable so you can take it with you when you travel. The Guard Dog is ideal for anyone and can be used virtually anywhere.

Works best if activated while you are at home.

Markar Continuous Hinges

I really enjoy learning new ideas and skills that better my skill level and help me to provide broader ranges of products and services to my growing clients.

One such company, I only learned about in recent days, is Markar Architectural products.


Markar is a manufacturer of architectural grade adjustable continuous hinges and edge guards and has been a leader for innovative products in the hardware industry since 1969. Markar was the first manufacturer to produce a continuous pin and barrel hinge line and a patented adjustable continuous edge guard. By listening to its customers' feedback, Markar developed over seventy standard continuous hinge models in order to provide products for a wide variety of applications.

Markar is a company committed to growth and over the years has expanded its operation to include a door component line. Markar's lite kits and louvers are a cut above the rest for maximum strength and durability. As a subsidiary of the Adams Rite Manufacturing Co., Markar will continue to lead the way for innovative and advanced design concepts for the door and hardware industry.

Many people are unaware of the reasons their doors often stop working or have problems with closing and securing.

There can be multiple reasons for doors not functioning properly, but surprisingly, one of those reasons is very often overlooked.

An experienced tradesperson will usually be able to tell immediately where a problem may be.

It is often critical to also look at the hinges as one of the fundamental factors in repairing or maintaining quality security and functionality.


Pictured above are some diagrams depicting typical stress points on a typical door fitting.

Installation of continuous hinges, like the ones manufactured by Markar, can help to prevent these problems.

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Confirmation from Local Fire Marshall

I recently met the local Fire Marshall and enjoyed a revealing conversation with him about life safety codes and the fire code.

Part of our discussion involved me showing him the following product.

This intelligent device simply slips over your existing entrance set and provides for a glow in the dark handle grip. Perfect for arthritis sufferers.

Opening doors just got easier. Stop struggling with slippery door knobs! Great Grips go over round door knobs, creating a secure, slip-free grip. Grips glow for up to 8 hours so you’ll never fumble for a knob in the dark again! No tool installation — simply moisten with water and stretch to fit. Set of 2.

Use of these sensational products is considered one of the least expensive methods for complying with ADA and AHJ panic exit requirements without the need to replace or install expensive hardware.

Most jurisdictions have adopted the 2003 International Building Code as the basis for construction. Many inspectors will not issue occupancy permits unless door hardware meets code. Now you can comply with the code without the need for expensive hardware.

The Fire Marshall was unfamiliar with the product, but appeared very enthusiastic and supportive of this incredibly inexpensive and thoughtful initiative to attempt to make existing hardware applications, safer.

Federal Trade Comission Consumer Alert

FTC Consumer Alert

• PDF Format

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The Keys to Hiring a Reputable Locksmith

If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your car or home, you know what a hassle it can be. Your first thought is to get someone to help you out of your situation. If a family member or friend can’t deliver a spare set of keys, your next call might be to a local locksmith. But before you make that call, consider this: According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, some locksmiths advertising in your local telephone book may not be local at all. They may not have professional training. What’s more, some of them may use intimidating tactics and overcharge you.

When “Local” Is Really Long-Distance

Consider this scenario: A company far away from your town chooses a name for its business that is very similar to the name used by a local locksmith. The company advertises in the phone book or on the Web using a local telephone number and local address. When you call the number, you’re actually connected to a call center in another city. What’s more, there’s no locksmith shop at the address listed.

You may be quoted a price on the phone, but when the locksmith arrives, often in an unmarked vehicle, he may want significantly more money. The locksmith also may accept only cash.

Some who claim to be “local locksmith” companies have multiple listings (sometimes 30 or more separate listings in a single phone book) with different names. But the calls to each of these numbers go back to the same central number in a distant city where operators dispatch untrained individuals to do the job.

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Wireless Portable Security Alarm

Catering to security minded people is what this site is aimed at.

This product is another twist on the portable alarm offerings and priced at only $35.00

A passive infrared system that will detect movement in any selected 40 ft. area, 105 db Alarm. Complete with programmable security code, adjustable sensor head, low battery indicator. Mounting screws and hanging hardware included. 9 volt battery (not included).

Electronic Security Products - Should We? or Shant We?

Every so often, I am asked to recommend electronic locking products. Having been in the physical security industry over 25 years and worked in multiple continents, I have seen many and varied applications.

The electronic components in security products started way back in the early 20th century when the first electric strike was installed in an upmarket New York apartment complex.

Up until that time, multi-level apartment complexes required doormen and an escorted elevator trip. The advantage that the electric strike presented was the ability to enjoy a secure entrance unmanned 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at a significantly reduced cost.

Most electronic hardwired systems available today are required to be "fail-safe". This means that if the power fails or is interrupted, the device is un-secure. Many product manufacturers started putting in battery back-ups in their products to assist with security necessities.

The advent of wireless systems actually negates the fail-safe mentality until the battery runs out.....but even still many products have an in-built lithium polymer long life battery, to provide just enough power until the main source batteries can be recharged or replaced.

Technology is advancing rapidly and products are slowly becoming better quality and experiencing longer lives, however I still feel it necessary to recommend to my clients to maintain that mechanical back-up "just in case".

This is expressly why the locksmith industry will continue to exist, much to the negatives of some.

Locksmiths, for over 2 centuries have been designing, maintaining and creating systems and products designed to protect the assets of the marketplace. Locksmiths will continue to do so for the next 200 years, I'm sure.

When asked "Should We?".....my first answer is based on determining the true benefits. But I always will recommend a mechanical backup.

The true benefits could be, no more keys to worry about (what about the proximity card - doesnt this just take the place of a key?), the ability to perform audit trails (on sophisticated systems), combination entry (negates the need for a key, but requires a code to be remembered - this could lead to codes being shared - leading to a major security issue).

One of the best advances today is the advent of Bio-metric systems. Finger print identification systems can negate the need for a key or the need to remember a combination (you cannot lend your finger to someone else - can you?).

The marketplace should also remember that electronic security products are still expensive and not as generally reliable as mechanical security products. Locksmiths can provide restricted key control systems that enable end users to control who has keys to their properties. This is one of the least expensive and most secure methods for protecting assets, often without the need to replace costly hardware.

Chamberlain Garage Door Controls

Chamberlain, well known as one of the leading garage door operating systems manufacturers ahve recently released this wonderful new product competing with the Master version we published previously.

This Biometric Fingerprint activated wireless entry device is designed to work with most existing Chamberlain Automatic Openers.





Chamberlain's 942FP Fingerprint Keyless Entry makes home access even more effortless - no codes, no lost keys, ad nothing extra to carry. It uses fingerprint sensor technology to make access to your garage quick, safe, and secure.

• Wireless, battery-operated (includes four AAA batteries)
• Equipped with Security+ rolling code technology; Entry pad transmits a new code with every use
• Reads up to 10 unique fingerprints so only the 10 registered users can gain access to your garage
• Weatherproof slide-up protective cover