DOOR CLOSERS & CONTROLS
Panic Hardware vs Emergency Exit Hardware : Where , When and Why ?
Sue Corrick of Allegion UK explores the evolution of panic and emergency exit hardware , examining the specification and installation points that decision makers must consider throughout modern application .
» THE SWIFT EVACUATION OF A building and its occupants is critical in an escape or emergency situation . And for decades , escape doors and exit hardware have been co-dependent in their purpose of facilitating safe egress when it matters most .
In fact , exit hardware has been providing users with a safe means of escape since the early 20th century . Following a string of highprofile disasters , including the infamous Iroquois Theatre Fire in Chicago in 1903 , the conditions of the world ’ s built environment and its emergency exits were more closely inspected as crucial elements of public safety , in large part to The National Fire Protection ’ s ( NFPA ) Life Safety Code in the US . Incidentally , this period was a catalyst for change in the exit device industry , with the world ’ s first panic bar made available in an assortment of configurations in 1908 , courtesy of Von Duprin .
Today , the term ‘ exit hardware ’ is more conventionally categorised as either panic hardware or emergency exit hardware . With distinguishing characteristics and features , both categories of exit hardware provide users with a safe means of escape , and both have come a long way since their inception all those years ago . As such , selecting the most suitable solutions can be a challenge for modern projects and decision makers are reminded to consider a number of key factors .
Distinctive door hardware
In a fire scenario , a building ’ s evacuation methods must be as straightforward and defined as possible . When a person reaches an exit door , it is essential that the door can be operated with ease , regardless of who is operating it and where it is being used . While all exit hardware plays an integral role in this process , decision makers must consider a building ’ s type , application and its occupation levels when selecting between panic and emergency exit hardware , since there are meaningful differences between the two .
Panic hardware for example , is a type of exit device that has been designed to provide safe and effective escape through doorways with minimum effort and without prior knowledge of its operation . Panic hardware devices come in the form of horizontal push or touch bars and are commonly applied to outward opening doors in public facing buildings or buildings with more than 60 occupants , where they can be operated by untrained people or members of the public , ensuring safe and effective escape . As such , panic device push and touch bars should be installed to provide the maximum effective length , but never less than 60 % of the door leaf width , as stipulated by BS EN 1125 and harmonised CE and UKCA designated standards .
With its size , panic hardware is typically easier to see and operate than some emergency exit hardware devices . With this in mind , decision makers should often choose to implement panic hardware solutions in busy public spaces such as hospitals , shops and places of entertainment where usability is paramount . For spaces where opening width is limited , a non-intrusive touch bar can also be a practical option . Furthermore , in cases where users may wish to gain access from the outside of a door with a panic bar , an outside access device can also be applied to
Sources : https :// www . smithsonianmag . com / history / how-theater-blaze-killed-hundreds-forever-changed-way-we-approach-firesafety-180969315 / | https :// www . nfpa . org | https :// www . dhfonline . org . uk / media / documents / documents34a . pdf
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MARCH 2024
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