The new EN standards 179 and 1125, and their implementation in practice
 Future emergency exit safety (and security) to be provided as a system solution
Ennepetal/Germany. Within the European Union, binding, unified standards are formulated in order to create the same competitive conditions in all the member states and to preclude previously existent barriers to trade that resulted from the existence and application of different national standards. The new "Euronorms" for emergency exit and panic exit devices, EN 179 and 1125 respectively have also been introduced with this objective in mind.
Only certified system solutions permitted Egbert Becker, Head of Product Management at DORMA's Door Control division explains that, in the future, all components of an emergency escape door closure, i.e. the latching element (bolt head), the operating element (horizontal bar, push pad or lever handle) and the engaging element (keeper) will have to be tested and certified as an effective integrated system in accordance with either EN 179 for emergency exits or EN 1125 for panic exits.
As proof, the manufacturer concerned will have to provide not only the CE mark on the individual products but also, for every closure system, a certificate of conformity issued by a notified body, plus a manufacturer's declaration of conformity. This combined conformity verification system has been compulsory since 1 April 2003 as confirmation of the suitability of escape and emergency exit closures.
The types of system solution that may be applied within this framework include:
- the emergency exit device DORMA SVP comprising the components DORMA SVP lock
OGRO lever handle or lever handle sets from other reputable manufacturers, or
- the panic exit devices DORMA PHA 2000 and PHB 3000.
Additional security now limited to electric locks only
The fear of a possible misuse of doors in emergency exits and escape routes has, in the past, led to escape doors often being illegally locked so that, in an emergency, they are unable to fulfil their function. A corresponding system of safeguards is currently being prepared by European standards committees and these will eventually appear as EN:13637: Electrically controlled emergency exit systems for doors in escape routes, and EN 13633: Electrically controlled panic exit systems for doors in escape routes, with publication of both expected around 2006. This will mean that all mechanical locking systems and anti-tamper/anti-abuse devices will be assigned to the past!
Differentiation between emergency and panic
While EN 179 regulates the requirements placed on closures for low-traffic, normal emergency exit doors, EN 1125 applies to panic exit devices, i.e. emergency exit doors where higher volumes of foot traffic can be expected. EN 179 requires that the emergency exit doors be openable in one single operation, even in their locked condition, and that the effort required for this should not exceed a force value of 70 N. According to the standard, an emergency exit device of this type shall comprise at least one mortise lock with an emergency release function (bolt head with keeper and an emergency release lever handle set).
Note: These components must be tested and certified in their working combination. Panic exit devices to EN 1125 are required on doors in buildings with high levels of public traffic and in which panic reactions may occur due to lack of familiarity with the surroundings. However, the standard does not specify any criteria in this respect. The architect's/specifier's expert knowledge and iterative understanding of the situation - which should also take into account the level of experience of likely users with the closure fittings concerned - come into play here. Ultimately, according to DORMA quality expert Torsten Vogel, the single priority is to "ensure that each user is able to escape safely from the building concerned!"
The closure must be designed so that the door is also reliably released when subjected to a preload force of 1000 N applied by the weight of people pushing forward, while the release force itself may be no more than 220 N. Moreover, release of a panic exit door must be automatically effected by the application of pressure to a horizontal touch or push bar, and this too should operate reliably under the pressure of a panicking crowd.
Familiarisation phase
There is no doubt that these new standards constitute an important step towards ensuring that doors become quickly and reliably operable in an emergency. On the other hand, in view of the unavoidable product modifications required of the manufacturers and the significant additional test and surveillance work required of the notified bodies and their agencies, given the finite capacities involved it will still take some time until standardised European emergency exit devices become the "norm". Ultimately, however, emergency exit door systems certified in accordance with standard pan-European requirements will serve to enhance the safety of people taking advantage of the greater mobility allowed within the single European market - taking us another step towards a Europe "sans frontières".
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The DORMA SVP emergency exit lock in combination with OGRO lever handles satisfies the requirements of EN 179
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Approved throughout Europe: The DORMA PHA 2000 panic exit devices
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Approved throughout Europe: The DORMA PHB 3000 panic exit devices
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