Standards and regulations are an extremely important part of any industry. With the goal of improving safety for users of products, it’s vital that installers understand the regulations that apply to their projects. One of the standards that has been widely discussed recently is EN13637. In this article, we’ll explain more about what EN13637 is, what it means for installers, and how and when it applies. There are a lot of misconceptions about this standard, but don’t worry! We’re here to clear things up.
What is EN13637?
Standards are sets of rules that are set out by national or international authority bodies to cover the manufacture and use of particular types of products. EN13637 is a regulation covering devices that are fitted to escape doors secured with electronic locking.
Is EN13637 a mandatory regulation?
EN13637 is an example of a non-harmonised standard. This means that the regulation has not been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) or designated in the Construction Products Regulations in the UK. As a result, the regulation is a voluntary standard in the UK and most of the European Union and cannot be referenced for CE or UKCA marking.
The exception is in the Republic of Ireland, where compliance with EN13637 is mandatory; the regulation is known as PSA-67 there. However, it is important to note that not all the items covered in EN13637 are required for compliance. We’ll look at this in more detail later in the article.
What does EN13637 cover on a door?
EN13637 as a voluntary standard (except in the Republic of Ireland) covers certain additional components of an escape door’s system which are necessary for security, but which don’t prevent safe egress in an emergency. For example, manual key-operated locks on top of the electronic locking system may improve day-to-day security, but in an escape situation they pose additional risk to occupants trying to get out.
The most notable element of EN13637 is the requirement for all the devices which work together to electronically lock and unlock a door to be tested together. This is similar to the PAS24 and Secured by Design regulations, which you may also be familiar with. The aim of the testing is to confirm that the system of devices securing the door must release the door in a single actuation with a non-delayed release within 100 milliseconds. In addition, the lock must have a minimum of 100kg sideload release to comply with the standard.
Is a timed exit delay mandatory?
The other element of EN13637 is the one which has caused a lot of confusion throughout the industry. The timed exit delay is not required for compliance with EN13637. This allows for a short delay period before the escape door releases to allow egress. However, the safety of this delay period must be risk assessed prior to implementation, as it is potentially preventing people escaping during an emergency.
When would you use a timed exit delay?
There are only a few specific cases where installers should consider this option for an escape door. It should always be an extraordinary option rather than the norm. For example, in a retail environment, there may be a case for including a timed exit delay on an emergency escape door that is accessible by the public. In this case, the timed exit delay allows for increased security in the event of shoplifting or other crime on the premises. A thief will be unable to instantly use the escape door to exit the building due to the delay period. The system also sends a report to the access control system and immediately triggers a local alarm to alert staff whenever the emergency breakglass is pressed.
However, there are stipulations to how this can be implemented. The inclusion of the timed exit delay, and the length of the delay, must be covered by a risk assessment. In addition, the emergency breakglass or display device must show a countdown of the time until the actual release of the door. Finally, compliance with this optional part of EN13637 depends upon the door also having an instant release option, either from the access control software or from a protected device such as a keyswitch.
What parts of EN13637 are mandatory in the Republic of Ireland?
EN13637 is an optional regulation in most of the European Union and the UK. However, in the Republic of Ireland, EN13637 has been made a legal requirement and is known as PSA-67. The testing of components together to confirm a single actuation of the escape door’s lock within 100ms is a mandatory requirement for compliance. In addition, the inclusion of a lock with a minimum of 100kg sideload release is also required. The timed exit delay is not mandatory for compliance in the Republic of Ireland.
What next for EN13637?
Currently, unless you are in the Republic of Ireland, EN13637 is a voluntary regulation and not a legal requirement. While it is possible that this may change in the future, the current situation is that EN13637 is a non-harmonised standard. For more information on this regulation, or for help selecting products that comply, contact CDVI through all our usual channels:
Phone: +44 (0) 1628 531 300
Website: www.cdvi.co.uk/contact
Web chat (business hours only): www.cdvi.co.uk
Below, find further information that may help you navigate the dense and difficult world of standards and regulations!
Types of doors and where to find them
Fire doors
A fire door is an internal door between one room and another, or between a room and a corridor. They are usually constructed of solid timber. Fire doors are tested and certified for halting the spread of flames and smoke when closed. The most common certification is for up to 30 minutes of fire resistance. Any hardware on a fire door, such as locks or push-bars, must also be fire rated and installed in compliance to maintain the fire safety of the door.
Fire exits
A fire exit leads from inside the building to outside the building. Unlike fire doors, they are not usually fire rated as their purpose is not to hold back flames and smoke. The purpose of a fire exit is to allow people to escape quicky and unhindered to a place of safety. These doors should be well-lit, free from any obstruction, and ideally open in the direction of traffic flow out of the building. Unlike fire doors, the hardware on a fire exit does not need to be fire rated, unless specified by the building’s fire risk assessment. Nonetheless, hardware should be tested regularly and well-maintained to ensure proper operation in an emergency.
Emergency exits and panic doors
An emergency exit is one designated for rapid evacuation during an emergency situation. Generally, they lead directly from inside the building to outside. A panic door is similar, but refers specifically to doors equipped with panic hardware such as push bars for quick and easy egress by large groups of people in a crisis situation. They are commonly found in public areas which need to enable rapid exit for high volumes of traffic.
The term ‘emergency exit’ refers to the entire exit point and may require some knowledge of the building’s layout to operate and access it. A panic door can be considered a type of emergency exit, as this term is specifically about the hardware on the door that designates it a ‘panic door’. While an emergency exit may have smaller push pads or levers to operate, a panic door is usually equipped with a large push bar covering most of the door’s width.
Other regulations you need to know
EN1634-1 and EN1634-2
These regulations relate to fire resistance. They are mandatory and compliance with them is a dependent factor in compliance with EN13637. They apply to doors and the hardware on them, such as electronic locks.
EN179
This regulation is all about emergency exit devices and hardware on doors that serve as emergency exit points. It is focused on smaller premises where it is assumed that most of the building occupants know the escape route. This would apply, for example, to commercial offices. The standard ensures that any devices are easy to operate and allow swift and safe evacuation in emergencies.
EN1125
EN1125 is about panic exit devices, and focuses on larger premises where it is assumed that most people are not familiar with the building layout and escape routes. The regulation covers horizontal push bars and push pads which provide escape for occupants by pushing against the device.
EN14846
This regulation covers building hardware and testing methods, including locks and latches, electro-mechanically operated locks, and striking plates. It specifies requirements for strength, security, durability, and function of electrical and electronic components in electro-mechanically operated locks.
EN12209
Unlike EN14846 which covers many different elements of electro-mechanical locks, EN12209 relates specifically to mechanical operation. For example, it sets out standards for resistance to drilling and sideload.
