Requirements for escape door locks

'Securely locked' and 'open by anyone' - in conflict?

Ensuring safe and functional escape routes is the most important consideration when choosing doors to be used in public or large building complexes. However, it becomes extremely problematic if the entrance to the building or the passage to sensitive areas of a building must also be protected from burglars or unauthorized persons. Then two seemingly opposing requirements collide: the doors must be securely closed and yet be able to be opened by anyone. Especially with exterior doors, a conflict arises here between requirements for escape routes and access control or burglar protection. Both architects and operators of airports, research institutes or modern office complexes face special challenges. They must meet high safety requirements for their buildings and ensure that escape doors can always be opened quickly and reliably by anyone. At the same time, they must protect entrances to buildings or to sensitive departments from unauthorized access.

With the electrically connectable lock (EK lock) for escape doors, the company WILKA Schließtechnik GmbH (WILKA) of Velbert, Germany, produces the appropriate solution for escape or fire doors with access control and continues to develop it continuously.

With the WILKA solution, single and double-leaf doors can be easily connected to an access and building control system. In the process, both the requirements for intrusion protection and escape functions are met. Eldar Halilovic, head of product management Metal program and escape door systems at WILKA, explains the function and further development of this
electromechanical solution.

How do the opening of the doors and access via the electric linkable lock function?

"Access for authorized persons is via an electrically connectable exterior handle. This can be a wall reader, an intercom, a push button or an access control system depending on the security requirements of the access area and the installation options. Once access is activated, the crank tumbler in the lock is electronically controlled, the door handle is engaged and the door can be opened. In addition, to let the person authorized for access know that the door can now be opened and access is possible, an audible signal can be enabled."

How to proceed reliably, safely closing the door?

"The door is basically always in locked mode. Manual locking of the doors is not necessary. The door cannot accidentally remain in an unlocked state even after authorized opening. After expiration of the individually preset time, 3 - 256 seconds, the door handle is switched off. This so-called self-locking function is used on doors, where in principle unauthorized opening from the outside must be prevented. Opening from the outside then only occurs again after renewed successful access authorization via the outside handle. In order to give double-leaf doors even greater stability in use and thus increase burglary protection, the EK lock for escape doors has the option of an additional top locking function."

With a door that is permanently locked, how is easy and quick opening in the event of danger ensured?

"Our EK lock for escape doors features the specified panic function C. This means that in addition to an outside handle for authorized access, the door is equipped on the inside with a panic function, e.g. a door handle or a panic push bar. The permanently locked door can thus be easily opened from the inside at any time and by any person. This is guaranteed in accordance with the DIN EN standards we follow for this area. Our EK escape door locks are approved according to DIN EN 179 for locks for emergency exits with door handles or push plates and also comply with DIN EN 1125 for panic locks for escape doors with a horizontal operating rod. Compliance with these EN standards guarantees both the safe escape through an escape door with only one activation of the anti-panic lock, and the safe passage of an escape door without prior knowledge of how to operate the anti-panic lock."

How are errors in self-locking of the door and manipulation attempts, such as blocking the door, ruled out?

"On the one hand, our designers have used an intelligent closing sequence of latch, auxiliary latch and latch bolt here, which prevents an error function, such as locking prematurely before the door is correctly closed. Through the use of this intelligent control, the door is also considered closed for insurance purposes. On the other hand, we have deliberately dispensed with a combined latch and dead bolt in the construction. This guarantees greater security of the individual locking elements The approval of our EK lock according to DIN EN 14846 for electromagnetically operated locks and striker plates additionally confirms for our electrically connectable locks the strength, protection, continuous functionality and also the function of the processed electrical and electronic components."

"For the users of our solution, the signaling package also offers the possibility of monitoring the latch, the locking bar and the inside handle. This means that through our solution it is possible to indicate, for example in the building's monitoring or control center, which elements of the lock are in function. It indicates whether the door has just been opened, is closed, is open, is being held open forcibly or whether the anti-panic handle is currently in use. But also the lock itself indicates via a control diode whether it is functioning properly. The latter is a great help especially for the responsible electrical installer when commissioning the lock."

Are there any expansions planned for the EK escape door lock?

"Yes, we are currently developing extensions for electronic access by smartphone, which will then also be available as a solution for escape routes with EK escape door locks. Until now, smartphone access control has been possible via our WILKA easyApp solution in conjunction with the installation of an e-cylinder. From September 2020, this will also be possible via a wall reader with Bluetooth^®-interface. With the WILKA easyApp solution, the building operator or manager can also benefit from all the associated advantages for the escape doors used. This means that, among other things, he can not only assign and revoke access rights conveniently, but also securely from the smartphone thanks to AES 128 encryption. And that for up to 250 users and 25 doors. Anyone, who would like to learn more about this product development and, above all, experience it live, we are pleased to offer the opportunity to do so from September 22 to 25, 2020 at Security in Essen at our booth 3D81."