Security in combination
Do you want maximum security in access control while ensuring that escape routes can be used in an emergency? Then a panic lock is the perfect solution.
The panic lock allows a door to be opened from the inside at any time without a key, even when it is locked—that is, when the bolt is engaged. Pressing down the door handle or panic bar on the inside simultaneously retracts both the latch and the bolt. From the outside, the doors are generally opened with a key, and in certain variants also with the handle.
Different requirements for interior and exterior doors
Doors equipped with panic locks are subject to different requirements. For example, a distinction must be made between interior and exterior doors. While access control and burglary protection are often the focus for exterior doors, fire safety is particularly important for interior doors. In addition, it must be considered whether the door is single- or double-leaf.
The ability to escape and release in emergency and panic situations is always the central focus.
About latch, bolt, and follower
Panic locks have three essential components that play a special role in connection with the panic function—or more precisely, the panic functions: the latch, the bolt, and the follower.
follower
latch
deadbolt
Emergency exit or panic device
Two European standards essentially regulate the requirements for doors in escape routes and thus the key requirements for the panic locks installed there.
- EN 179, which covers requirements for emergency exit devices, e.g., for non-public office doors
- EN 1125, which addresses panic exit devices, e.g., for public project doors
In addition, BKS panic locks are certified according to further standards such as VdS.
suitability for fire protection
Approved for use on fire and smoke protection doors
Emergency exit devices with lever handle or push plate for doors in escape routes
The EN 179 standard refers to emergency exit devices intended for use in buildings where it is expected that people familiar with the escape route can quickly and safely reach an exit in an emergency. These locking systems are designed to be easily opened in the event of an emergency. They require only a simple hand movement without the use of keys or similar aids. EN 179 specifies requirements for the design and performance of such systems to ensure their reliability and safety.
panic-break-out hardware with horizontal operating bar
DIN EN 1125 refers to panic exit devices with integrated latch that are equipped with a horizontal operating bar. This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for emergency exit devices intended for use in public buildings to ensure a quick and safe exit in case of emergency. The devices must be designed so that they can be easily operated even under panic conditions.
mechanically operated locks and strike plates
EN 12209 is a European standard that deals with mechanical locks and striking plates for doors. This standard defines the requirements for security, functionality, and durability of mechanical locks. It includes test procedures for evaluating the performance of these products in various categories such as durability, corrosion resistance, and resistance to tampering.
VDS
Profile cylinders with this marking are available in VdS version.
RC
The EN 1627 standard is a European standard that defines requirements and classifications for burglar-resistant components such as doors, windows, curtain walls, grilles, and roller shutters. This standard is part of a series of standards, which also includes EN 1628, EN 1629, and EN 1630, covering various aspects of testing these products for their resistance to burglary.Resistance classes (RC = Resistance Class) are a central element of this standard and indicate how well a component withstands a burglary attempt. There are several resistance classes, from RC 1 to RC 6, with each higher class offering better protection. [doc2]
Panic locks and their escape door functions
Even though the basic function of a panic lock is always the same, there are different panic functions of the locks for various application scenarios. The panic functions B, C, D, E, and P are distinguished. The different panic functions regulate whether and how a lock can be opened from the outside with a key.
Switching Function B
- Access from the outside is only possible with a key, since the outside door handle is disengaged, the latch holds the door in the strike plate, and the bolt is retracted.
- By turning the key to a special position, the outer door handle is permanently engaged. This allows the handle to retract the latch again. The door handle retains this opening function until the key is turned back, which disengages the outer door handle again. Because it is possible to switch permanently between disengaged and opening function, this is called the switching function.
Opening Position (top image)
Function from inside and outside
Passage from both sides via the handle; the latch is retracted, and the follower is engaged on both sides.
Basic Position (middle image)
Function from outside
The door handle is disengaged (freewheeling), so the door can only be opened with the key. When the key is turned, the follower is engaged and the door can be opened via the handle. Afterwards, the follower coupling must be switched back to freewheeling using the key.
Function from inside
Exit is always possible in the direction of escape.
Locking (Bottom image)
For locks of the 21-series (automatically locking), the automatic latch locks automatically.
Function from outside
The door handle is disengaged (freewheeling), so the door can only be opened with the key. When the key is turned, the follower is engaged and the door can be opened via the handle. Afterwards, the follower coupling must be switched back to freewheeling using the key.
Function from inside
Exit is always possible in the direction of escape.
Possible Applications
The outside handle allows use as a connecting door.
- Corridor doors in administrative and office buildings
- Nursing homes
- Secondary entrance doors
- Secondary entrances at kindergartens, schools, and hotels
Compulsory locking function C
- Access from the outside is only possible with a key, as the exterior lever handle is disengaged, the latch bolt holds the door in the strike plate, and the deadbolt is retracted.
- By turning the key to a special position, the exterior lever handle is temporarily engaged. Only in this key position can the opening function be used with the lever handle; during this time, the key cannot be removed. The requirement to return the exterior lever handle to the disengaged position before the key can be withdrawn is referred to as a compulsory locking function.
Basic position (top image)
Function from outside
Idle position of the lever handle, as the follower is disengaged; the door can only be opened with the key.
Function from inside
Exit, the door can generally always be opened in the direction of escape.
Opening Position (middle image)
Function from outside
Idle position of the lever handle, as the follower is disengaged; the door can only be opened with the key. To do this, keep the key turned to the end stop in the opening direction; the lock follower will be engaged and the door can be opened using the handle. After removing the key, the outside handle is automatically set back to idle position.
Function from inside
Exit, the door can generally always be opened in the direction of escape.
Locking (bottom image)
With locks of the 21 series (automatic centre-lock), the centre-locking of the automatic latch takes place automatically.
Function from outside
Idle position of the lever handle, as the follower is disengaged; the door can only be opened with the key. To do this, keep the key turned to the end stop in the opening direction; the lock follower will be engaged and the door can be opened using the handle. After removing the key, the outside handle is automatically set back to idle position.
Function from inside
Exit, the door can generally always be opened in the direction of escape.
Possible applications
Thanks to the handle on the outside, use as a connecting door is possible.
- Corridor doors in administrative and office buildings
- Retirement homes
- Side entrance doors
- Side entrances at kindergartens, schools and hotels
Passage function D
- The door handle on the outside is always engaged and the door can be opened at any time using the handle. The permanent free passage (access) from the outside is referred to as a passage function. For example, the fire brigade can use such doors as a rescue access during their operations.
- When the door is locked, the outer door handle is disengaged.
Opening position (top image)
Function from inside and outside
Passage from both sides via the lever handle, with the latch being retracted and the follower engaged on both sides.
Locking (bottom image)
Function from outside
After an emergency exit function from the inside, the outside lever handle is re-engaged. Passage from outside to inside is possible. When locking via the profile cylinder lock, the outside lever handle is disengaged.
Function from inside
Exit: The door can generally be opened at any time in the direction of escape. After actuation of the lever handle, the bolt remains retracted until it is locked again with the key.
Possible applications
Use as a connecting door is possible due to the lever handle on the outside.
- Corridor doors in administrative and office buildings
- Retirement homes
- Side entrance doors
- Side entrances in kindergartens, schools, and hotelsThe use as a connecting door is possible due to the lever handle on the outside.
Change function E
- Access from the outside is only possible with a key, as only a door knob or pull handle is installed on the outside.
- To open, the key must be turned a quarter or half turn in the opening direction to retract the latch and open the door.Von außen ist der Zugang nur mit Schlüssel möglich, da nur eine Türknopf oder Stoßgriff auf der Außenseite verbaut ist.
Opening position (top image)
Function from outside
Only a fixed knob or pull handle may be used as fitting. Passage is only possible with the key, which retracts the latch.
Function from inside
Exit: The door can generally always be opened in the escape direction.
Locking (middle / bottom image)
Function from outside
Passage is only possible with the key, during which the latch is retracted. For locks of the 21 series (automatically locking), the locking by the latch bolt takes place automatically.
Function from inside
Exit, the door can generally always be opened in the direction of escape.
Possible applications
Due to the fixed knob/push handle, access from the outside is only possible in conjunction with operation of the key.
- Doors at transformer stations and boiler rooms
- Elevator systems
- Underground garages
- Entrance doors for warehouses and commercial buildings
- Main entrance doors in rental and multi-family houses
Panic bolt function P
Basic position (top image)
Function from outside
Only a fixed knob or pull handle may be used as hardware. The door can be opened by pulling/pushing on the hardware. Entrance, no latch (swing door).
Function from inside
Exit, the door can generally always be opened in the direction of escape.
Locking (bottom image)
Function from outside
Passage is only possible with the key, during which the bolt is retracted. After an emergency exit function from the inside, the initial position is restored.
Function from inside
Exit, the door can generally always be opened in the direction of escape. After operating the door handle, the bolt remains retracted until it is locked again with the key.
Possible applications
Due to the fixed knob/push handle, access from the outside is only possible in combination with key operation.
- Doors at transformer stations and boiler rooms
- Elevator systems
- Underground garages
Discover our panic locks
Whether for timber and steel doors or for tubular frame doors, at BKS you will always find the right panic lock for your requirements.
Your questions – our answers
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