European standards for panic door hardware under the microscope

NEN EN 179 and NEN EN 1125 

As the European market leader in the development, production and sale of hardware systems for doors and windows, HOPPE attaches great importance to clear communication with its customers. Of course to draw attention to new products, but also to inform about developments and regulations surrounding the application of door and window hardware. In this edition of Profile, Angelo van Aken, Project Advisor Netherlands within HOPPE Benelux, takes that line further on behalf of the German family company. On the one hand by pointing out the applicable standards around panic door hardware, on the other by presenting the new eWindow handle ConnectSense. 

The European standards NEN EN 179 (for emergency exit locks) and NEN EN 1125 (for anti-panic door locks) formulate, among other things, the requirements for handle dimensions. Whereas in the past no distinction was made between emergency exit locks and anti-panic door locks for doors in escape and rescue routes, the aforementioned standards now distinguish between the two types of locks following an amendment in 2008. 

"Originally, all fire-resistant anti-panic locks with a 9-millimeter square and a handle shape whose end points toward the door leaf were permitted," Van Aken says. "After the adaptation, the standards mentioned define requirements and test methods for both types of locks. In addition, they provide concrete recommendations on their correct use."

Applications

With an extensive range of panic door hardware, HOPPE always provides a high-quality hardware solution. Which solution should be used in which situation according to the regulations is roughly related to the number of people behind the door in question. 

"Within an office environment, for example, where a user is familiar with the exits and knows their way around the building well, an interior crutch will suffice. If there are general areas, places where large numbers of people are usually present who have no knowledge of the indoor situation and escape routes, then an anti-panic bar should be
be made." 

For both areas of application, HOPPE has various products available that substantially increase security. For applications according to NEN EN 179, HOPPE has U-shaped handles with steel core, a solid pin of 9 mm and a fixed/turn bearing. "A condition for application of the hardware, however, is that it must always be tested and certified together with the chosen lock," says Van Aken. "But that's fine with us. We have a variety of certificates from just about all renowned lock manufacturers."  

New invention keeps window in view 

At BAU Munich, HOPPE launched the brand new eWindow handle ConnectSense, an innovation that reliably recognizes burglary attempts at the window in a smart home environment and reports them to the smart home control center. The position of the handle (closed, tilted or open) and sash (closed or open) is also recognized and reported. Subsequently, deterrent actions can be activated immediately. 

"The continuous matching of handle and sash position enables reliable control of window states in smart home environments," Van Aken said. "Even remotely."