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Chapter 12-3 — RELEASING SYSTEMS FOR SECURITY BARS IN DWELLINGS

Section 12-3-3 — ASSEMBLY

2025 California Referenced Standards Code (Title 24, Part 12) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

12-3-3.1 Security bar releasing systems consist of the security bars, latches, manual actuators, cables, connectors, hinges and mounting hardware. The entire system shall be packaged in a single container. Standard mounting hardware including screws, bolts and washers are allowed to be provided separately.

Exception: The security bars shall be allowed to be provided separately if the instruction manual complies with Section 12-3-13.2.

12-3-3.2 The system shall be of a type capable of being readily maintained in proper operating condition.

12-3-3.3 The system shall be designed to immediately unlatch the security bars when actuated. It shall be able to be operated from the inside of a building by the occupants without the use of tools, keys, or special knowledge or effort.

12-3-3.4 The manual actuator used to release the security bars shall be designed to be mounted inside the dwelling unit for operation by the occupants. Covers or other barriers that can obstruct access to actuators shall not be provided if they inhibit the proper operation of the system.

12-3-3.5 The release mechanism shall not depend on springs to release the latch, although springs are allowed to be provided to assist in the operation.

12-3-3.6 The system shall be designed to prevent it from being locked in a closed position with a pad lock or similar device.

12-3-3.7 Systems provided with an automatic actuating mechanism shall also include a manual release system that complies with these requirements. The automatic actuation portion of the system, even in the event of its failure, shall not inhibit operation of the manual releasing system.

12-3-3.8 Manual actuation of the system shall release the security bars quickly and with simple, easily understood and intuitive motions. The system shall be capable of being operated in all lighting conditions.

12-3-3.9 Manual actuation of the system shall not require two different forces to be applied at the same time, such as applying force to the actuator while also pushing on the bars. 12-3-3.10 When fully opened, the assembly shall provide a minimum clear opening of not less than 5.7 square feet (0.53 m [2] ) with the width not less than 20 inches (508 mm) and the height not less than 24 inches (610 mm), measured parallel to the plane of the opening.

12-3-3.11 Security bars shall be constructed so that they do not swing up to open. They shall not include projections that can easily snag the clothing of those escaping through the opening.

12-3-3.12 Security bars shall have been constructed such that a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter shall not pass through any opening and shall not create other potential head entrapment hazards.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Referenced Standards Code (Title 24, Part 12)
2025 California Referenced Standards Code (Title 24, Part 12)
  1. Chapter 12-1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. ▸ Chapter 12-3 — RELEASING SYSTEMS FOR SECURITY BARS IN DWELLINGS
    Overview
    1. Section 12-3-1 — SCOPE
    2. Section 12-3-2 — GENERAL
    3. Section 12-3-3 — ASSEMBLY
    4. Section 12-3-4 — MATERIALS
    5. Section 12-3-5 — TEST SETUP AND SAMPLE PREPARATION
    6. Section 12-3-6 — SECURE ATTACHMENT TEST
    7. Section 12-3-7 — OPERATION TEST
    8. Section 12-3-8 — MANUAL ACTUATION TEST
    9. Section 12-3-9 — ENDURANCE TEST
    10. Section 12-3-10 — ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE TEST
    11. Section 12-3-11 — ABUSE TEST
    12. Section 12-3-12 — MARKINGS
    13. Section 12-3-13 — INSTRUCTION MANUAL
  3. Chapter 12-4A — LABORATORY ANIMAL QUARTERS STANDARDS
  4. Chapter 12-7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS
  5. Chapter 12-11A and 11B — BUILDING AND FACILITY ACCESS SPECIFIC…
  6. Chapter 12-13 — STANDARDS FOR INSULATING MATERIAL
  7. Chapter 12-31C — RADIATION SHIELDING STANDARDS
  8. Chapter 12-71 — AIR FILTERS

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