Strand is a Failsafe Choice for Emergency Exit and Panic Hardware

In times of emergency, you’re in safe hands with Strand Hardware. Although there are many considerations for building specification, few decisions can be as critical as selecting the right emergency exit/panic hardware.

Efficiency and reliability must be a given and while the market offers a plethora of options, ensuring ‘safety first’ will be the guiding principle for architects and specifiers.

CE marking is a must – best practice determines that products comply with Construction Product Regulations and Strand Hardware’s Antipanic Emergency Exit and Panic range has been rigorously tested and successfully meets these exacting requirements.

Strand’s Antipanic range includes a range of push bars and touch bars suitable for single or double outward opening doors.

For day-to-day use, doors can be opened from the outside with an outside access device. These can be locked or opened from the outside, while still being able to be freely released from inside – maintaining security without compromising the basic panic function.

In identifying suitable solutions, there are a number of key considerations that will ultimately define your shopping list:

1) Product range

Strand Hardware offers PH (modular push bar/push pad range), PHT (touch bar range), PHTM (motorised touch bar range) options. Selection criteria is provided by the EN standards EN1125 and EN179 and should reflect occupancy levels and the type of building. Other matters to be considered include creating clear opening requirements, how the door is intended to be used, whether it is fire resisting, the operating environment etc. Aesthetics and budget will also have a place, but these are secondary to the life safety aspect.

2) Door/frame material and design

Different strikes are used to suit various door materials and construction. For PVCU doors and frames, a range of profile related strikes are available for which the system manufacturer and profile model is needed. Glass doors require patch fittings to suit the escape device and door construction. Whether the doors are fire-resisting and how the door is hung will also have a bearing.

3) Locking latch arrangement and number

Single and three-point pullman latches are available across all the ranges with the ability to convert on site from three point to two-point system. Factors to be considered include whether the door is single or double, construction, material, size and for double doors if the meeting stiles are straight edge or rebated.

4) Outside access

External access can be provided by a mechanical outside access device, using a key, push button digital combination and in most cases either a lever handle or knob. Again, thought needs to be given to how the door is to be used. Most electronic access control systems can be accommodated by use of an internal motorised touch bar device.

5) Size of door

Door widths and heights should be checked before ordering as many wider and taller doors can be catered for from stock by use of wider crossbars, wider model touch bars and extra-long rod kits.

6) Finish

Powder coated white and black finishes are available from stock along with the standard silver grey, which have the option of a green cross bar. A decorative plated satin stainless-steel finish and simulated polished brass are available for many ranges. Where a high degree of corrosion resistance is necessary, the DFine grade 316 stainless steel is available. Many other finishes can be provided to special order.

For more information on Strand Hardware’s emergency exit and panic hardware range, visit www.strandhardware.co.uk or contact: [email protected] or call: 01922 639111.