Emergency Exit Access Through Parking Barriers During Evacuation

t459-9

Parking barriers must never block the path of an emergency exit route or prevent occupants and responders from leaving or entering the building during an evacuation. Barriers on or near egress routes need a clear fail-safe mode, manual release options, and a documented operating procedure. Fire safety officers should confirm these details against the building's approved fire safety plan and with a qualified engineer.

Why parking barriers matter in an evacuation

Parking barriers control vehicle access to basements, underground garages and courtyards. In a fire or other emergency, the same barrier can become a bottleneck if it stays closed when people need to leave on foot or when fire crews need to enter with equipment. Every barrier on a route that is part of the egress path should be treated as part of the life safety system, not as a simple access device.

Planning starts with the building's emergency exit layout. Identify every parking entrance and exit that is designated as an egress route, and note where vehicles and pedestrians share the same space.

Fail-safe and power loss behaviour

The most important question is what the barrier does when power is lost. A barrier serving an egress route should move to a defined open position or remain open so that people can pass without delay. Confirm the actual behaviour with the supplier and the electrical contractor, and test it during commissioning.

Document the barrier position on power failure
Confirm battery backup duration if fitted
Check that the barrier does not re-close automatically after passing a vehicle

Manual release and access for responders

Emergency personnel must be able to open the barrier without tools, keys or electronic credentials that may be unavailable during a fire. A clearly marked manual release, positioned where it can be reached safely, is essential. Staff should know where it is and how it works.

Consider a key-operated override accessible to the fire service through the standard emergency access arrangement for the building, and make sure the arrangement is agreed with the local authority.

Signage, markings and clear width

People evacuating under stress rely on clear signs. Mark the route through the parking area with directional signage, keep the path free of obstructions, and make sure the barrier arm and its housing do not reduce the required clear width of the egress passage. Pedestrian gates beside vehicle barriers should be unlocked from the inside at all times and should open in the direction of escape.

Testing, maintenance and records

A barrier that works well on installation day can drift out of condition. Schedule regular functional tests that include the power-failure response, the manual release and the pedestrian gate. Record each test with date, result and name of the person who carried it out, and keep these records with the fire safety file.

Any change to the barrier, its controls or the parking layout should trigger a review of the evacuation plan.

Coordinating with the fire safety plan and engineers

Barrier behaviour should be written into the building's fire safety plan, and the emergency coordinator should know the procedure well enough to brief staff and residents. Involve the installer, the building engineer and, where required, the fire authority early in the design. Exact requirements for widths, heights, force limits and operating times should be verified with a qualified engineer for the specific project and applicable standards, including the relevant Israeli standards.

Frequently asked questions

Can a parking barrier be kept closed during a fire?

Not if it sits on an egress or fire service access route. The barrier should move to an open or defined safe position on power failure or fire alarm, as confirmed by the fire safety plan.

Who should be able to open the barrier manually?

Building staff, the emergency coordinator and the fire service should all have a way to open it without electronic credentials. The method should be tested and documented.

How often should barrier emergency functions be tested?

Follow the schedule set in your fire safety plan and the manufacturer's maintenance guidance, and record every test. Exact intervals should be confirmed with your qualified engineer.

Do pedestrian gates beside the barrier need special attention?

Yes. They should open freely from the inside, stay unlocked during occupancy, and be clearly signed as an emergency exit.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming a barrier will fail open without ever testing it, and letting the manual release become blocked by parked cars or stored items.

Our recommendation

Walk the full evacuation route with the emergency coordinator while the barrier is powered off, and confirm that people and responders can pass without delay. Fix any gap before the building is occupied.

Summary

Parking barriers on egress routes must fail safe, open manually and stay clear of evacuation paths, and their behaviour must be written into the fire safety plan and tested regularly.

השאירו פרטים ונחזור אליכם