EMERGENCY EXIT LOCKS ACCORDING TO EN 1125
- Emergency exits must not be locked from the inside for safety reasons.
- Emergency exits create a security breach within a building perimeter enabling unauthorised people to abuse them or endanger themselves.
Operators wish to limit the abuse of emergency exits.
Building Controllers/ Fire Departments require that the emergency exits can be opened from the inside at all times.
Insurance Companies require that the building is secured from the outside at all times.
KEY POINTS
- large number of users
- users unfamiliar with the building environment
- vision may be hindered by smoke or darkness
- panic extremely probable
Applies to public buildings where users are not familiar with the functions of the emergency exit doors but have to be able to open them without prior instruction.
Emergency exits are required to be opened with one hand at any time by anybody inside the building. The required force shall not exceed 80N (EN 1125).
SAFETY FIRST. Saving lives is more important than securing goods.