Guide to BS EN 179:2008
Guide to BS EN 179:2008
BS EN 179 – Emergency exit devices
Standard covering devices to be used in emergency situations where people are familiar with the emergency exit and its hardware and therefore a panic situation is most unlikely to develop. Devices operated be a lever handle or push pad may therefore be used.
SCOPE – BS EN 179
The main purpose of the performance requirements of this standard is to give safe and effective escape through a doorway with one single operation to release the device. However, escape can require prior knowledge of the operation of the device. This is consequently considered suitable for locked doors on escape routes only where panic situations are not foreseen.
| 3 | 6 | 5 | A | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | A | B |
| DIGIT 1 | DIGIT 2 | DIGIT 3 | DIGIT 4 | DIGIT 5 | DIGIT 6 | DIGIT 7 | DIGIT 8 | DIGIT 9 | DIGIT 1O |
DIGIT 1 - Category of Use
Grade 3: high frequency of use where there is little inventive to exercise care, i.e. where there is a chance of an accident occurring and of misuse.
DIGIT 2 - Number of test cycles - Durability
Grade 6: 100 000 cycles
Grade 7: 200 000 cycles
DIGIT 3 -Test door mass
Grade 5: up to 100 kg
Grade 6: up to 200 kg
Grade 7: over 200 kg
DIGIT 4 -Fire resistance
Grade 0: Not approved for use on fire/smoke door assemblies.
Grade A: Suitable for use on smoke door assemblies.
Grade B: Suitable for use on fire and smoke door assemblies based on a test in accordance with EN 1634-1.
DIGIT 5 - Saftey
Grade 1: All emergency exit devices have a critical safety function.
DIGIT 6 - Corrosion Resistance
Grade 3: 96 hours (high resistance).
Grade 4: 240 hours (very high resistance).
DIGIT 7 - Security
Grade 2: 1000 N
Grade 3: 2000 N
Grade 4: 3000 N
Grade 5: 5000 N
Additional specific tests may be carried out to prove a higher level of security. The emergency exit device will be deemed to conform to this European Standard, provided that all the requirements of this European Standard are met.
DIGIT 8 -Projection of Horizontal Bar
Grade 1: projection of up to 150 mm (large projection). Does not apply to Type Application.
Grade 2: projection up to 100 mm (standard projection).
DIGIT 9 -Type of Horizontal Bar Operation
Type A: emergency exit device with “lever handle” operation.
Type B: emergency exit device with “push pad” operation.
DIGIT 10 - Field of application
Category A: outwardly opening single exit door, double exit door; active or inactive leaf.
Category B: outwardly opening single exit door only.
Category C: outwardly opening double exit door, inactive leaf only.
Category D: inwardly opening single exit door only.
Certain emergency exit devices are restricted to particular
doors within this broad characterisation. Refer to installation
instructions for specific application.