HARDWARE & SECURITY
Escape door hardware
Here Scott Copeland , Category Manager from leading specialist supplier , IronmongeryDirect reveals some of the key products for escape doors and how to make the correct specification .
» BALANCING THE NEEDS OF BOTH occupant security and the ability to provide safe , fast evacuation can be a tough job for door specifiers and fitters . As lifesaving pieces of equipment , it is vital to understand the different types of escape door in order to make the correct specification for these projects .
Panic escape doors
These doors are designed for use in any public building such as schools , hospitals , airports , retail and leisure facilities , where the occupants must be able to easily and effortlessly operate the door and escape even if they are unfamiliar with the building , its emergency procedures or how to use the exit devices .
‘ the occupants must be able to easily and effortlessly operate the door and escape ’
BS EN 1125:2008 provides guidance on the use of panic escape doors for these environments , which should be fitted with products that are easy to operate with either hand , therefore minimising panic in an emergency . Approved devices , all available from IronmongeryDirect are :
Push Bar ( also called Panic Bar )
Specifically designed for members of the public to use even in unfamiliar surroundings , these are ideal for hightraffic premises where large numbers of people will need to evacuate a building as quickly as possible .
IronmongeryDirect stocks solutions that consist of just a bar as well as sets with additional components such as bolts and / or latches for additional security . For example , the Exidor 305 Single Door Panic Bar with mortice actuator , is suitable for installations on timber doors up to 1220mm wide and is supplied with a mortice plate .
Touch Bar
A touch bar does not swing away from the door on its release , so the risk of people getting arms or clothing trapped behind the bar is reduced . The swing-free design is also less intrusive , so considered by many as more visually appealing .
IronmongeryDirect ranges several models in this design including the Briton 571 Single Door Touchbar Panic Latch . A robust modular solution for mid to high end specifications and suitable for timber doors up to 200Kg , this device has been designed to make installation simple . It features a Fast Fix cable system to connect Pullman latches to the operating unit , simple snap on covers and easy adjustments of the door cable system .
Briton 571 Single Door Touchbar Panic Latch
As a minimum , push bars and touch bars must be installed where more than 60 people are likely to use the exit . The hardware must be CE or UKCA marked and the device must cover at least 60 % of the leaf width .
Emergency escape doors
Where building occupants are familiar with the emergency exits , a panic situation is less likely to occur and for these applications , BS EN 179:2008 outlines the devices that allow for safe escape during an emergency . This type of door is installed in non-public areas , such as low occupancy offices where employees undertake regular fire drill practices . In order to comply with BS EN 179:2008 , emergency escape doors should be fitted with either a push pad or lever handle that are quick and easy to operate .
Exidor 305 Single Door Panic Bar
‘ As lifesaving pieces of equipment , it is vital to understand the different types of escape door ’
Push Pads ( also called Emergency Pads )
For premises where there is a maximum of 60 people , these devices feature a small pad to push to release the door and are offered ether as standalone push pads , or with locking points such as bolts or latches .
For example , the reversible Arrone AR883 Single Door Push Pad Latch is suitable for single timber doors of any width and is finished in satin stainless steel . CE marked and tested to BS EN 179 , the device is also Certifire approved .
IronmongeryDirect is the UK ’ s largest online supplier of ironmongery to the trade . With over 18,000 products in stock including everything from specialist mortice locks and latches , to cylinders and access control hardware . Locksmiths can choose from a range of flexible delivery options to meet the needs of their busy schedules , including free next day delivery on orders over £ 45 ex VAT , same day delivery to postcodes in selected areas of London and the East of England , as well as click and collect from 6,500 pick up points across the UK .
www . IronmongeryDirect . co . uk
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MAY / JUN 2022
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