Door Industry Journal - Winter 2014

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 74 THE door industry journal winter 2014 building hardware feature Allegion Urges Accurate Specification of Panic Hardware Panic hardware is too frequently specified as an after-thought or an ‘add on’ product, leading to performance safety issues when installed. Paul Barrows, Demand Creation Leader at leading global security technology provider, Allegion, explains the crucial elements that need to be considered at the inception of door hardware specification and urges uniformity in considerations. “During specification for large building projects, many hours are poured into securing every corner. When it comes to fire safety, fire exits, occupancy loads and the fire integrity of the door, immense scrutiny is applied. However it often seems the panic hardware slips down the priority list, resulting in inappropriate door solutions. Panic hardware is not as strongly regulated by Building Regulations as with other product areas, but that does not mean it plays a lesser role in keeping a building and its occupants safe. Type of building “When it comes to panic hardware, there are plenty of aspects to consider. Occupancy loads often come into play, as it is recommended that panic hardware should be installed when the load of the building exceeds more than 60 occupants. Architects and specifiers across the industry should be encouraged to begin to take this recommendation seriously to ensure the utmost safety of every occupant. “Generally speaking, panic hardware needs to ensure safe escape through a doorway with one manual operation, for example, a horizontal panic bar that requires no prior knowledge of how to operate it. The type of building, whether public or private is a key consideration when it comes to the type of exit hardware installed. Panic hardware on doors needs to activate the door to open immediately when pressure is applied, which calls me to question why all too often we see green push to exit buttons in public buildings. “The green push to exit button has a place within the emergency exit specification, but it should fall under the BS EN 179 category for situations where only authorised personnel who have been trained specifically on the emergency procedures frequent the building, where there is a low chance of them panicking. In these environments, panic situations are considered to be very unlikely which is why these devices do not operate on body pressure alone. “BS EN 1125 devices should always be specified when the public are present or there is the possibility that untrained personnel will