Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 118 THE door industry journal winter 2023 Locks & Building Hardware The Right Door Hardware for Easy Escape Here, Roland Etheridge at IronmongeryDirect outlines what is available when it comes to escape door hardware, what to look for when selecting products and how to ensure security. Ensuring that occupants of a building can evacuate quickly and easily in the event of an emergency is critical, and the escape door hardware is central to this. The correct specification will depend on how the building is used. In public places - panic escape door hardware For any public building, including schools, hospitals, airports and retail and leisure facilities, the escape door should offer building occupants a visible, safe, and effective escape route, even if they have had no training in the building’s emergency procedures or how to use the exit devices. In these environments, where more than 60 people are likely to use the exit, panic escape doors should be fitted with either push bar or touch bar emergency exit hardware. These must be CE or UKCA marked and cover at least 60% of the leaf width when installed and tested to comply with BS EN 1125:2008. Push bars Also called a panic bar, this consists of a hinged bar that is pressed towards the door to release the latch and open the door, specifically for members of the public to use even in unfamiliar surroundings. These solutions are ideal for hightraffic premises where large numbers of people will be looking to evacuate a building as quickly as possible. IronmongeryDirect stocks a range of push bar options for single and double doors such as the Arrone AR882 Single Door Panic Latch and the Briton 377 E Rebated Double Door Panic Bar Set. Alternatively, the Exidor 513B-B/AD is ideal where enhanced security is required, featuring a three-point panic bolt with a Pullman latch and anti-thrust protection. Touch bars These are fitted in the same way as a push bar but do not swing away from the door and therefore prevent the risk of people getting limbs or clothing trapped behind the bar when operated. The swing-free design is also less intrusive, so considered by many as more visually appealing. The Briton 571 Single Door Touchbar Panic Latch offers a modular solution with one-point locking as standard with the option for additional locking elements if required. The design of the bar also provides a grip that allows the door to be easily pulled closed. In non-public buildings - emergency escape door hardware BS EN 179:2008 covers door hardware used in emergency situations where building occupants are more familiar with the exit routes and door hardware and have even been trained on escape procedures – and as such, a panic situation is less likely to occur. This type of application is suitable for use in commercial buildings and places of work where employees undertake regular evacuation drills.
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