Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 116 THE door industry journal spring 2022 Fire Doors, Safety & Security Access Control on Escape Doors For over 20 years since EN1125 panic exit devices operated by a horizontal bar and EN179 emergency exit devices operated by a lever handle or push-pad was introduced the priority has been to egress from an area/building with one action of the device fitted to the door. However, balancing emergency escape with security is often challenging. While safety should take priority previous standards EN1125 and EN179 for escape doors have made it difficult to reduce security risks. With the access control market growth and more electric hardware products being used on fire doors and escape doors, the standard EN13637 was introduced. With standard EN13637, it now means that electrical locking products such as electromagnetic locks, electric releases, electrical panic hardware and electric locks can be used on escape doors. EN13637 is not intended to replace EN1125 or EN179 but to provide additional options to control unauthorised use of escape routes and escape doors. EN13637 allows more flexibility and choice than EN1125 and EN179 as these standards state that the locking elements must retract immediately via a single operation. But there are instances when this may cause security-related issues, therefore, EN13637 includes immediate release and two-time delay grades: - • Grade 0 - Immediate Release with no time delay, • Grade 1 - Up to 15 seconds time delay and • Grade 2 - Double Time delay as well as including denying access. When specifying products to EN1125 or EN179 on an escape door the door must be opened in one action by the push bar, touch bar, push pad or lever, which does not include electrical product and requires a single form of mechanical egress to withdraw the locking points. With the introduction of EN13637, it now means that electrical locking can be used and we can still offer immediate release in one action such as: - • an electromagnetic lock with a touch bar to release the armature plate by cutting off the power; • an electric release with a mechanical lock; • an electrical panic bar with latch bolt retraction also allows the bolts to be withdrawn electrically from an office or an area of the building • an electric lock with either levers or push bar/touch bar on the inside. When using electrical hardware, it is important that the system is linked to the fire alarm system so that even with a time delay, in an emergency the doors are released on the sound of the fire alarm. The benefits of having a time delay are to increase security whilst maintaining the safety of the Figure 2: Panic Hardware system with Electrical Latch Retraction compliant with EN13637
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