Open, operate, close and secure: 'Our systems and concepts bridge the gap between safety and accessibility'

From cinemas to concert and conference halls, shopping malls, museums, hotels and libraries: to ensure that people at
calamities can escape safely, emergency and panic doors are mandatory in public buildings. Both in new construction and renovation projects. "Already since 2003 there are European standards, such as NEN-EN 179 and NEN-EN 1125, which specify the requirements that the hardware for escape doors must meet," says Joep Breukels, Managing Director of GU Netherlands. "Yet architects, consultants and contractors still struggle to select the right solution for the right door. Especially when doors have multiple functions. Our configurator supports them in this."

GU Netherlands is more familiar than anyone else with the rules regarding emergency and panic doors. "Thanks to the configurator, we can now also easily share our knowledge and expertise with the market. On a clear placemat, architects, consultants and contractors are guided through the selection process in just seven steps. For example: is it a single or double escape door? Does the door have a handle with rosette, short or long plate? What kind of lock is inside? What is the direction of rotation? And in what environment/situation is the emergency or panic door used? These and other questions lead step by step to a complete and ready-to-use package for emergency or panic doors, including hardware, mortise lock or multi-point lock, any push bar or push-bar and electronic expansion, by means of an added motor on the panic multi-point lock. All products are collected by us and combined into one package per door, which also effectively eliminates doubts and/or opportunities for error with regard to assembly." 

Currently, GU Netherlands' distribution partners and consultants are being trained to walk through the configuration steps with their customers.

Flexibility accessible

With its configurator and product packages for emergency or panic doors, GU Netherlands bridges the gap between security and accessibility. The same applies to Ixalo; an electronic locking system from BKS with which, for example, office, leisure, healthcare and residential buildings can be optimally secured and managed. 

"Ixalo makes flexibility accessible," Breukels emphasizes. "The system is suitable for both individual and groups of doors and is easy to link. The basis of the electronic locking system is a starter kit, which integrates all the ingredients for programming and operating the first button cylinder. These include the transponder (wall reader), programming software, (free) license and a system master card. Each subsequent knob cylinder or electronic handle fitting can be easily added to the electronic locking system. As required, links to the proprietary BKS system, SE technology or RFID technology are also possible."

Highest safety standard

Implementing Ixalo does not require any cutting and breaking. Also, no cables need to be pulled, Breukels stressed. 

"Ixalo concerns a battery powered and energy efficient system. One battery guarantees up to 70,000 opening and closing cycles! The system with RFID also meets the highest security standard EN 15684." 

Optionally, the Ixalo cylinders are available with panic function, integrated radio module, in double-checked version, as half cylinders, in IP-65 version and with the SKG*** seal. 

"The Ixalo door hardware also meets these requirements and is available in a variant for interior doors, in SKG*** for the exterior door, single-sided or double-sided controlled, in IP-65 design and fully certified to European escape route standards. This takes safety and accessibility to the very highest level in every project."