Emergency Exit Locks According to EN 179
3.1 Requirements and recommendations
Emergency exit system requirements
The intended area of application according to EN 179 is in emergency exit locks in “public buildings”,
i.e., explicitly not in private residences.
The crucial factors are the possibility for self-rescue, compliance with fire protection regulations and the
securing of rescue routes.
Specifications
German building laws do not currently require the use of products in accordance with EN 179. They do
require that an escape door can be easily opened at any time with a single hand movement. With the
implementation of EN 14351-1, doors with “release capability” must use furniture in accordance with
EN 179 and EN 1125 and declare this property by way of the CE mark. With the upcoming implementation
of EN 14351-2, this requirement will also apply to interior doors.
Exterior doors
Exterior doors (and interior doors after standard 14351-2 takes effect) with declared “release capability”
(escape doors) according to EN 14351 are subject to conformity assessment procedure 1.
The following is required:
• The design of the door must have been
subjected to an ITT (initial type test) by an NB (notified body).
• The manufacturer must maintain
an FPC (factory production control) process.
• “Initial inspection of the manufacturing plant”, “inspection of the FPC (factory production
control)” and “continuous third-party monitoring” by a notified body (NB).
Since the current version of EN 14351-1 only requires the use of furniture in accordance with
EN 179/1125 in order to achieve “release capability”, product documentation is especially important to
ensure that the product is installed correctly, functions properly and maintains its properties throughout its
service life.
The product documentation is also evaluated and tested by the notified body in this regard.
The NB then creates a CE conformity certificate; only after receipt of this certificate can the manufacturer
label the exterior escape door with the CE mark. Fabricators that use a system from a system provider
must always follow the specifications of the system provider.
Last update: 11.01.2013 29