What would you do?

So I was just in a Walmart (writing this from their parking lot). I was driving by and thought, "oh maybe they would have something..." 🙄

You see, I'm looking for a nice quality (better than my phone) point-n-shoot camera. Something that would fit in a small purse or pocket but have really good quality.

I've seen them online (Amazon, etc) from Sony and Canon, but I want to hold it first, feel it, etc.

So anyway, there I was looking at the tiny camera section with nothing I wanted and once again realized Walmart was a waste of my time. So I look up for a way out other than the crowded front doors. I see an exit sign and head that way. Another exit sign and another.

I realize I'm probably heading to one of those emergency exit only doors with the alarm if you open it. But no, I arrive at a big automated door in the front of the outdoor/seasonal section where they are currently selling fake Christmas trees.

Right over the doors is that sign that says these doors must remain unlocked when building is occupied. So I walk up to it expecting it to part like the Red Sea. Nope. Auto open not working. No problem. I push. Nope, won't budge. An associate yells over to me, "sorry those doors are locked. You have to exit at the front."

I paused but then couldn't resist myself. I stood and pointed to draw his attention to the sign requiring the doors be unlocked. I assume this is some kind of emergency or fire code, right? He just shrugs and says they are always locked in the winter.

Being the good concerned citizen that I am, I proceed toward the front to exit and look for some supervisory looking person on the way. I find a guy who's name tag says Assistant Manager. Oh good, I think, he can make something happen to correct this dangerous situation.

I explain what I found (a locked door after following lit exit signs) and he tells me they don't like trouble makers and if I leave quietly he won't have to trespass me. What!?!?!?

I'm now sitting in the parking lot with steam coming out of my ears.

1) Being trespassed from Walmart or from all Walmart would be no sweat off my back. I haven't spent a dollar there in years.

2) I am really tempted to call the local fire department and see if they do random inspections and if they'd send someone over.

What would you do????

😤

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

SandWitch · 26-30, F

It's the fire department that sets those door exit rules, not Walmart.

If there was ever a fire however, keep in mind that if anyone pulls the fire alarm on the wall which then sounds the alarm and automatically sends that signal to the fire department, pulling that alarm switch also automatically releases ALL magnetic locks on ALL doors in the building and automatically opens ALL sliding doors which may have been manually closed contrary to posted signage.

If you go into an underground parking lot of a condo or a business and a power failure occurs and the lights go out, all doors that were otherwise locked to the general public have magnetic locks by law ..and will automatically unlock following a power failure.

If you are in an underground parking lot and you want to gain illegal entry to the building, all you have to do is pull the fire alarm on the wall which then simulates to the fire system a power failure, which then releases the entry door lock of the door you're trying to get in through but will also sound the fire alarm.

The problem is, pulling the fire alarm also deactivates the passenger and freight elevators while automatically opening the elevator doors, which means you cannot use the elevator. That is why all elevators have a key lock which says 'fire department' and by unlocking that switch, will then allow the elevator to be used by fire fighters only.

An elevator that's in transit when the fire alarm is pulled is automatically programmed to return to the ground floor and open the door, regardless of the direction it was going when the alarm was pulled.

I understand where you're coming from when you posted this one which was a great post, but keep in mind that in the event of a fire, those sliding doors will open automatically if the fire alarm is pulled.

However, what if there isn't a fire and an emergency evacuation is required, such as from a terrorist attack inside the building and now as you say, those sliding doors are closed when they aren't suppose to be closed?

The answer is this... if you're a victim of that terrorist attack and you have the opportunity to pull the fire alarm, PULL IT!

Doing so will now open those doors automatically, though no fire is present.

The fastest way to get the cops to arrive during an incident in a large building like that if communications in the clear is not possible using a cellphone 911 call, just run to the nearest fire switch on the wall and PULL IT.

That place will be covered with cops and fire trucks faster than you can exit the building yourself, because ALL emergency response stations are notified automatically if a fire alarm is ever pulled in a building, whereas a 911 call is dependent on the 911 dispatcher evaluating the authenticity of a call, then calling the appropriate agency (fire or police) and sometimes that call is delayed if they think it's a hoax.

Pull the fire alarm and answer for your actions later.

The same thing applies on the streets of New York for example, where there are fire department signaling posts located along a street. Breaking the glass and pulling the red handle behind the broken glass will get a plethora of cops and fire trucks arriving on that location FASTER than making a 911 call on your phone.. and doing so is not illegal in an emergency requiring First Responders.

sarabee1995 · 26-30, F

@SandWitch This is all amazing information. Thank you!!

SandWitch · 26-30, F

@sarabee1995
You're welcome! But you also did he right thing by making the call to the FD.

Not many people know about the alarm system that I mentioned to you, but now you do too. And that standard applies everywhere in the free world, which means always do a fast visual scan when you enter a building to visually locate wall mounted fire alarms so you're prepared for a smoke-only situation where no fire is evident but the visibility is very poor.

Wall mounted alarms are suppose to be co-located with illuminated exit signs, however you won't be able to see those ceiling-mounted exit signs if you're crawling around on the floor trying to stay below a layer of thick smoke with no fire evident, which means the fire alarm won't necessarily be activated unless the system senses that smoke.

Smoke sensors however, are always located on the ceiling, not on the floor where the smoke might be lingering because the smoke system was designed by a man, not a woman! Therefore, always make yourself aware of where the exits are located, which will also be where those wall-mounted fire alarm switches are co-located.