The phrase ‘panic hardware’ is sometimes used as an all-encompassing term but there are two distinct branches of hardware - panic and emergency escape. This blog covers the what, why, and where of emergency and panic devices, plus external access.
What is Panic Hardware?
Panic and emergency exit hardware are products that allow for a safe and effective exit from a building in case of emergency. They must provide single action egress, so exit with one movement or operation.
Escape door hardware needs to be successfully type tested for conformity to one of two standards:
- BS EN 1125:2008: Panic Exit Devices Operated by a Horizontal Bar, for use on Escape Routes
- BS EN 179:2008: Emergency Exit Devices Operated by a Lever Handle, Push Pad, or Pull Pad
Panic hardware and emergency escape doors can also have solutions that are successfully type tested to BS EN 13637:2015 building hardware. This is for electrically controlled exit systems for use on escape routes. They can be used in situations where dynamic lockdown is required.
Why You Need Specific Fire Exit Ironmongery
Fire safety continues to be a newsworthy topic, but it is not always the threat of fire that dictates the requirement for a swift and safe exit from a building. Various scenarios can cause the mass evacuation of people from public spaces, buildings with communal areas, or multi-occupancy buildings such as blocks of flats or hotels.
This is the reason why these types of ironmongery are called panic escape and emergency escape hardware, as they are not solely for use on fire control doors, or evacuation due to fire - they’re for panic situations. Escape routes must be usable by all so specific types of products are needed, even on the inactive leaf of pairs of doors.
Where Is Panic Hardware Required?
Doors on escape routes require one of these two types of specialist ironmongery. They may or may not be fire doors, but emergency exit doors must all allow for single action egress in the direction of escape.
The decision on which type of product should be fitted depends on the occupancy and usage of a building.
Panic Exit Devices BS EN 1125: panic hardware that has been successfully type-tested to this standard provides “safe and effective escape through a doorway with minimum effort and without prior knowledge of the panic exit device”.
Push bar and touch bar devices are classified with a 10-digit code, should be 100% operational 24/7, and cover a minimum of 60% of the door leaf width. Panic exit devices need to be suitable for use by the general public, so they are ideal in the following locations:
- Public Buildings
- Educational Facilities
- Hospitals
- Entertainment Venues
Emergency Exit Devices BS EN 179: emergency escape hardware that has been successfully type-tested to this standard provides “effective escape through a doorway with one single operation to release the emergency exit device, although this can require prior knowledge of its operation”.
Lever handle or push pad devices are classified with a 10-digit code, should be 100% operational 24/7, and allow for immediate escape. Emergency exit devices are suitable for use by trained personnel with prior knowledge of their operation, so they are ideal in the following locations:
- Private Accommodation
- Offices
- Factories
Another factor to consider is that final exit escape doors are predominantly outward opening and panic hardware is designed with this in mind. Only some products to EN 179, not EN 1125, have a field of application for inward opening single exit doors.
If you want to know more details about the types of hardware, terminology, and purchasing considerations, head over to our other blog on panic door hardware.
Do All Exit Doors Require Panic Hardware?
Both types of hardware, panic and emergency exit, are designed to ensure a quick and easy exit from a building. Building Regulations Approved Document B requires all doors on escape routes to have escape hardware installed, meaning some internal doors would require single action egress, but not all exit doors require panic hardware as they may not form part of an escape route.
Also, not all exit doors are locking or have a latch holding them closed; in larger public spaces, the main entrance and exit doors could be automatic. Automated doors and fire controls doors on an exit route need special consideration so that they comply with the regulations for fire safety as outlined in Approved Document B, all relevant escape standards plus any other applicable standards for the door hardware being used, such as BS EN 16005 which covers automatic doors.
Balancing Escape and External Access
With any external door, there is always a balance to be struck between security and providing a safe exit. Panic and emergency exit devices provide a basic level of security as they hold doors in a locked position whilst still providing the single action exit with minimal effort. Additional security may be required in high security buildings, or where eliminating intrusion is a top priority, such as an educational facility.
If additional security is required, it is strongly advised that its use is checked and approved by your local building control.
Final exit doors can also be used as access into a building whilst maintaining the security, by installing a compatible outside access device, referred to as an OAD. These OADs provide authorized access by key, keypad, or other credentials. They do not inhibit the escape function internally, but you must ensure that the outside access device is compatible with the escape mechanism, using an appropriate unit that has been tested with the other items of escape door hardware, and carries relevant certification or CE marking.
Safety and Security in Your Facility
If in any doubt as to whether panic hardware is required, always refer back to Building Regulations, the fire strategy document for the building, and use harmonized standards BS EN 1125 and BS EN 179 as guidance. If you’re unsure which standard is applicable then fitting panic door hardware to BS EN 1125 is the safest option, as it requires no previous knowledge of the fire exit strategy or the hardware itself. Your local Fire Officer is also a useful resource to employ to ensure all safety standards are met.
If in doubt, we’re on hand and you can contact us by phone, in branch or email and we'll answer any of your queries.
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