It is desirable that doors at final exits in public buildings, places of entertainment, shops etc should be fitted with panic devices operated by a horizontal bar or touch bar. The emphasis for products covered by this standard is on safe exit rather than security.
Providing details on product types, classification by use, test cycles, door mass, corrosion resistance as well as definition, product performance requirements, test apparatus, test methods and marking products
The main purpose of the performance requirements of this standard is to give safe and effective escape through a doorway with minimum effort and without prior knowledge of the device i.e for locked doors on escape routes where panic situation can be for seen.
BS EN 1125 applies to - Type A Push Bar panic Bolts & Type B Touch Bar Panic Bolts
BS EN 1125 Classifies panic exit devices by using a 9 digit coding system, each digit referring to a particular feature of the product measured against the standards performance requirement.
Category of use
Only one category is identified
-Grade3 - High frequency of use by public and others with little incentive to exercise care.
Durability
Two categories are defined.
-Grade 6 : 100,000 cycles
-Grade 7 : 200,000 cycles
Test Door Mass
Two categories are defined.
-Grade 5 : Up to 100kg
-Grade 6 : Up to 200kg
Fire resistance
Two grades of fires resistance are identified:
-Grade 0 : Not approved for use on fire /smoke door assemblies
-Grade 1 : Suitable for use on fire/smoke door assemblies subject to satisfactory assessment of the contribution of the panic/emergency device to the fire resistance of specified fire/smoke door assemblies.
Safety
All panic and emergency device have a critical safety function therefore only the top grade 1 is identified.
Corrosion resistance
Two grades of corrosion resistance are identified according to EN 1670.
-Grade 3 : High resistance
-Grade 4 : Very high resistance
Security
Only one category of security is identified grade 2:
Panic devices are primarily for the operation of a door from the inside. Safety consideration will always be given over security.
Projection of device
Two categories are defined.
-Grade 1 : Projection up to 150mm (standard projection)
-Grade 2 : Projection up to 100mm (low projection)
Type of device
Two categories are defined.
-Type A : Push bar operations
-Type B : Touch bar operations
BS EN 179 Emergency Exit Devices
This standard covers devices to be used in emergency situations where people are familiar with the emergency exit and its hardware and therefore a panic situation is most unlikely to develop. Lever handle operated escape locks or push pads may therefore be used.
BS EN 179 applies to - Type A lever handle operated emergency devices- Type B push pad operated emergency device.
BS EN 179 classifies emergency exit devices by using a 9-digit coding system, each digit refering to a particular feature of the product measured against the standards performance requirement.
The particular features in BS EN 179 are identical to BS EN 1125, with two differences affecting digit 7 - security and digit 9 - type of device.
Security
Products covered by BS EN 179 have 3 identified categories and have the opportunities of greater security than devices covered by BS EN 1125. This is because BS EN 179 devices are subject to testing with doors under greater pressure. Three categories are defined.
-Grade 2 : 1000N
-Grade 3 : 2000N
-Grade 4 : 3000N
Type of device
Two categories are defined.
-Type A : Lever handle operations
-Type B : Push pad operations
CE marking is the easiest route to providing compliance with the latest UK Construction Products Regulations for hardware used on fire, smoke and escape route doors.
C.E. marking indicates that the product has been 3rd party performance/fire tested where applicable and is produced in a factory which has satisfactory production control systems. All of these have to be assessed by an authorized certification organization
