EMERGENCY EXIT LOCKS ACCORDING TO EN 179

  1. Emergency exits must not be locked from the inside for safety reasons.

  2. 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 

  • small group of users
  • users are familiar with environment
  • users have been trained
  • no access to the public
  • panic situation unlikely

Applies to emergency exit doors that are not accessible to the public and people inside the building are familiar with, e.g. office buildings, residential buildings, plants etc.

Emergency exits are required to be opened with one hand at any time by anybody inside the building. The required force shall not exceed 70 N (EN 179)

SAFETY FIRST. Saving lives is more important than securing goods.