COMMERCIAL SAFETY & SECURITY
Expert guide to panic & emergency exit hardware
Steps to selecting your hardware
What is the main use of the door ?
Ensuring the functionality of the door is suitable
Compliance Understand the British Standards which regulate the use of emergency and panic exit hardware .
Setting Deciding on the appropriate hardware solution for the type of building and occupants .
Operation Determine what the day to day use of the door will be when not required in an emergency situation .
Key questions to determine hardware
Who will the exit be used by ? Will they be familiar with the exit ?
Would there be any training on fire escape routes ?
What type of premises is the door being fitting to ?
Is there likely to be a change of use ?
Have any regulations been stipulated in the tender ?
What kind of day to day access will be required ?
Does the hardware need to be concealed ?
Understand the use of the door
Outside access Will two way access be required for the installation ? In certain settings such as warehouse escape routes , the need to access the door from the outside is not required .
Type of fit Identify if there is a need for hardware to be concealed if there is a risk of tampering .
Operating the door It ’ s important to assess how the door will be used when fitted . There are door lockoptions which can allow 2-way access much like a lever operated multipoints , but also options to lock the door from the outside with key wind up functionality .
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NOV / DEC 2021
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