Panic Hardware | panichardware.org.uk

Panic Hardware Standards

Most items of hardware to be used on a door a covered by a single standard. This is not the case with hardware for escape doors which has two;

• BS EN1125 is for Panic Hardware and
• BS EN179 is for Emergency Exit Hardware
• Or see the Best practice guide to panic and emergency exit devices to BS EN 1125 & BS EN 179

BS EN1125 is for Panic Hardware

It is important that ONLY Panic Hardware is fitted to Public Buildings.
This is for panic exit devices operated by a horizontal bar, for use on escape routes. This is normally associated for use on Public Buildings, e.g. Hospitals, Hotels, Pubs, and Cinemas etc.
There is a requirement for the door to open easily in a panic situation by pushing against the door and so a horizontal bar is used and fitted edge to edge of the door. Suitable panic hardware is the Single Panic Bolt or Panic Latch.

BS EN179 is for Emergency Exit Hardware

Items covered by this standard will not have a horizontal bar. They should only be used on premises where the occupants are familiar with the escape routes and the hardware and its use.
Suitable emergency exit hardware is the Push Pad and lever handle operated Escape Lock.

CE Marking

The UK Construction Products Regulations (CPR) requires Panic / Emergency Exit Hardware to be safe and durable. European standards BS EN1125 and BS EN179 are the recognised way of demonstrating compliance and they require that an official Notified Body (Test Laboratory) proves this by performance tests and giving the factory where the product is made a Factory Procedure Control quality control audit.

CE marking is the easiest route to providing evidence that the products satisfy this CPR requirement. Declarations of Conformity that proves this test evidence should be available on request from any manufacturer.

Selecting Panic and exit hardware

When selecting the hardware the following should be taken into account;

• Which standard applies
• Single or double doors
• Type of operation required
• Ensure the door is outward opening
• Type of door frame
• Height and width of the door[s]
• Security level required
• Finish required