BS EN 179 : 1997

Building hardware – emergency exit devices operated by a lever handle or push pad

GUIDE TO CLASSIFICATION

BS EN 179 classifies emergency exit devices using a 9 digit coding system.

Each digit refers to a particular feature of the product measured against the standard’s performance requirements.

Digit 1 – Category of use
- grade 3: High frequency use by public and others with little incentive to exercise care.

Digit 2 – Durability
- grade 6: 100 000 cycles.
- grade 7: 200 000 cycles.

Digit 3 – Door mass
- grade 5: Up to 100kg.
- grade 6: Up to 200kg.

- grade 7 =  Over 200kg

Digit 4 – Fire resistance
- grade 0: Not approved for use on fire/smoke door assemblies.
- grade A: Suitable for use on smoke door assemblies, based on requirements of B1, annex B)

- grade B ; Suitable for use on fire and smoke door assemblies based on a test in accordance wuth    EN1634-1. Annex B contains additional requirements for emergency exit devices to this grade.

Digit 5 – Safety
- grade 1: All exit devices are required to satisfy the essential requirement of safety in use.

Digit 6 – Corrosion resistance
- grade 3: 96hr (high resistance)
- grade 4: 240hr (very high resistance)

Digit 7 – Security
Products covered by BS EN 179 have the opportunity of greater security than those covered by BS EN 1125.
- grade 2: 1 000 N.
- grade 3: 2 000 N.
- grade 4: 3 000 N.

- grade 5: 5000 N.

Digit 8 – Projection of device
- grade 1: Projection up to 150mm (large projection)
- grade 2: Projection up to 100mm (standard projection)

Digit 9 – Type of device
- Type A: Emergency device with lever handle operation.
- Type B: Emergency device with push pad operation.

Digit 10 – Field of door application

- cat A – outward opening single exit doors, double door: active or inactive leaf.

- cat B – outward opening slide exit door only

- cat C -  outwardly opening double exit doors = inactive leaf

- cat D – inwardly opening single exit door only

EXAMPLE

The following marking denotes an emergency exit device tested to 200 000 operations for a door mass up to 200kg. Suitable for fire door use with high corrosion resistance, providing grade 4 security and low projection. Type B.

low projection. Type B.