ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY
Understanding Panic Hardware:
Your Essential Guide
» LOUISE FROST FROM DOOR Controls Direct is here to take you on a whistle-stop tour of emergency exit hardware, providing guidance and support to keep buildings safe and secure.
Panic and emergency exit hardware provides swift, intuitive egress during emergencies. By activating a horizontal bar, push pad, or lever, a mechanism is triggered to open the door. This straightforward operation avoids confusion during critical moments, reducing risks in crowded environments.
Standards Locksmiths Should Know
Compliance isn’ t optional. Panic hardware must meet one of two British standards:
• BS EN 1125: Public-access buildings require panic bars for single action, rapid evacuation. Install anywhere where occupancy exceeds 60 people.
• BS EN 179: Office-type environments, where occupants know the layout and hardware, can use push pads. The occupancy must be under 60 people.
All devices must display the CE mark, confirming testing and conformity with the relevant standard.
Common Types and Uses Panic Bars
Panic bars or crash bars come in two common variations – push bars or touch bars. Install to outward opening doors. Products will have been successfully type-tested for conformity to the requirements of BS EN 1125.
Locksmiths regularly encounter panic hardware and emergency exit devices that secure buildings and protect occupants. You will have seen crash bars on final exit doors, with Push Bar to Open signage so we’ ll skip the basics and explain it in a little more detail.
Familiarity with the variations, applications, and standards is key to ensuring correct installation, maintenance, and safety for users when it comes to items of life safety hardware. With regulations being regularly reviewed and updated, make sure you know when to fit a push bar instead of a push pad, and why.
Push Pad and Lever Handles
Push pads suit facilities used by trained staff, compliant with BS EN 179. Pull pads and lever handles are other viable items of emergency exit hardware but have different activation methods – pull or lever action, not push.
Outside Access Devices
Where external access is required to these normally locked doors, a lever or knob-operated outside access device( OAD) can be installed. They can be secured by key, cylinder, or code.
Door Latching Panic bars and push pads can incorporate a bevelled latch bolt for single point locking. Mortice night
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JULY 2025
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