FIRE SAFETY
4 . Check that all products have been fire tested
Life safety products ( hinges , door closing devices , locks , panic and emergency exit hardware and door coordinators ) need to be CE marked as a mandatory measure on fire and escape doors . Any product that is CE marked must also by law have a Declaration of Performance ( DoP ) in accordance with the Construction Products Regulation 2011 .
A CE mark may not always be visible but it must be on the product , instructions and or packaging somewhere .
HOPPE ( UK ) also uses a separate , optional third-party accreditation scheme called Certifire for its CE marked products . This it means that any accredited products are tested and certified above and beyond the levels required for CE marking , giving extra peace of mind to the end user .
5 . Check if panic or emergency exit hardware is required
You may also need panic and emergency exit hardware depending on where the door is located . If the fire door is on an escape route , you will also need to fit panic or emergency exit hardware . The type of hardware fitted will be dependent on the building ’ s type , application , its occupation levels , and where it is in the building .
Emergency exit hardware
Emergency exit hardware is mainly used in buildings where users are familiar with exit routes , such as private premises including offices and warehouses , and are not accessible to the public . Devices for these doors could be a simple push pad type device or a lever handle operating a mortice escape lock or nightlatch .
Panic exit hardware
Panic hardware is used in buildings where members of the public have access to the building but may not be familiar with the exit routes , for example hotels , hospitals , stadiums and cinemas . This also applies to any building that has more than 60 people in it .
Any doors in areas that are accessible to the public must have a device fitted that is operable by a horizontal bar that covers at least 60 % of the overall door width . As well as being easier to see and use from an accessibility point of view , it also adds another layer of safety functionality in the event of an emergency .
6 . Keep up to date with latest product guidance
Specifiers can now access all the information they need on compliant panic and emergency exit hardware solutions in a new guide from ARRONE , the sister brand of HOPPE , that can be downloaded from the HOPPE ( UK ) website : www . bit . ly / ARRONE-pocketguide
The free guide has been published to help specifiers ensure they are supplying the optimum panic or emergency exit hardware solution for their project . It contains a three-step product selector to help find the right device for the application , information on outside access devices , advice on positioning hardware on different types of doors and frequently asked questions .
7 . Keep up to date with CPD
HOPPE ( UK ) offers a free RIBA approved CPD seminar which focuses on ironmongery for fire and escape doors . The seminar aims to help those involved in specifying and installing hardware for fire doors to understand the critical role of fire doors and the importance of correctly specified door hardware .
For more information , or to book a CPD session at your place of work , please contact Andy Matthews on 01902 484 439 or visit our CPD page or email completerange @ hoppe . com www . hoppe . com
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