Emergency exit hardware and fire safety compliance

Fire exits need to do two conflicting things at once: stay properly secured against unauthorised entry, and open instantly for anyone escaping in an emergency. Getting that balance right is what emergency exit hardware is for.

Panic bars and push pads

Panic bars (for higher-risk areas open to the public) and push pads (for areas mainly used by staff who are familiar with the building) let a fire exit be opened with a single, simple motion, with no key or code needed from the inside.

Why standard locks aren't enough on fire exits

A euro cylinder or mortice lock that requires a key to open from the inside can turn a fire exit into a bottleneck, or worse, a dead end, during an actual emergency. UK fire regulations generally require exits to be openable without a key, code or specialist knowledge.

Keeping it secure the rest of the time

Modern exit hardware can still be monitored — many panic bars integrate with alarm systems that sound if the door is used outside of an emergency, so security and compliance aren't mutually exclusive.

Getting it right

The right hardware depends on the building's use, occupancy, and existing fire risk assessment. If you're not sure your current exits meet current requirements, it's worth having them checked rather than guessing.