Panic Bar Frequently Asked Questions– EN 1125/EN 179, Fire Doors, Double-Door Kits | EKIN

Answers to common questions on standards, installation and accessories. Read the guide or use the selector to specify your hardware. Everything specifiers, installers and buyers ask us about panic & emergency exit devices—from EN 1125 vs EN 179, through double doors without a centre mullion, to commissioning, maintenance and pricing. 

1) Standards & Compliance

Q1. What’s the difference between EN 1125 and EN 179?
A. EN 1125 is for public access routes and requires a full-width touch bar (panic device). EN 179 is for trained persons only and uses a push pad or lever. Public-facing routes should default to EN 1125.
Read more → /compliance/bs-en-1125-guide/ · /compliance/bs-en-179-guide/

Q2. Can I use EN 179 on a public exit?
A. Generally no. Public access implies EN 1125. Use EN 179 only where access is demonstrably limited to trained users (e.g., staff-only internal routes).

Q3. Do your devices work on fire doors?
A. Yes—provided that the device + strikes/keepers + fixings match the door’s certification. Always confirm with the door leaf certificate.
UK fire exits → /compliance/fire-exit-door-requirements-uk/

2) Door Configurations

Q4. What should I use on a single public door?
A. EN 1125 Rim device is typical, with a frame strike keeper and a full-width touch bar. See → /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/rim/

Q5. What about double doors without a centre mullion?
A. Use EN 1125 Vertical-Rod pairs: head keeper at the top and a recessed floor strike at the bottom (preferred). See → /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/vertical-rod/

Q6. Double doors with a centre mullion?
A. Often two EN 1125 Rim devices, with appropriate mullion keepers. See → /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/double-door-kits/

Q7. When is a mortise (flush) version appropriate?
A. Where a flush aesthetic is specified and the door prep allows. Check plate furniture compatibility. See → /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/mortise/

3) Installation & Commissioning

Q8. How high should the bar be fitted?
A. Commonly 900–1100 mm (centreline). Always check local code and use a 100% scale template. Download templates → /tools/downloads/installation-pdfs/

Q9. Why do you prefer recessed floor strikes on vertical-rod sets?
A. They give more consistent relatch and better wear characteristics. Use surface strikes only where recessing is not feasible.

Q10. What does “three consecutive positive relatches” mean?
A. After installation and closer adjustment, operate the device three times in a row; the latch must fully engage each time without assistance.

Q11. Do I commission with the closer fitted?
A. Yes—commissioning assumes the door closer is fitted and tuned first.

4) Fire Doors

Q12. Are dogging (hold-open) features allowed?
A. Not on fire doors. Dogging may be used on non-fire doors only, ideally with a lockable cover.

Q13. What documents should I keep for fire-door exits?
A. The door certificate details, device datasheet, installation template used, and inspection/maintenance records.

5) Accessories & Re-entry

Q14. When do I need an outside trim and euro cylinder?
A. If controlled re-entry is required from the safe side. Choose lever/knob/paddle trims and size the euro cylinder (K/K or K/TT) to your door thickness.
Accessories → /products/accessories/ (Outside Trims / Cylinder Kits / Strikes & Keepers / Dogging Covers)

Q15. How do I choose the right cylinder length?
A. Measure door thickness (mm) and select a cylinder that sits flush with escutcheons/plates. If unsure, include thickness in your quote request.

Q16. What strikes/keepers do I need?
A. Singles: frame strike for the latch. Pairs without a mullion: head keeper + recessed floor strike (preferred) or surface strike alternative; pairs with a mullion: mullion keepers.

6) Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Q17. What routine checks should I do?
A. Tighten fixings, check end caps/rod guides, clean debris around keepers/floor strike, verify three consecutive positive relatches.
Maintenance guide → /knowledge/maintenance-troubleshooting/

Q18. Can I download a maintenance cheat sheet?
A. Yes—A4 printable quick reference. 

Q19. Is there an inspection checklist I can use?
A. Yes—UK fillable PDF with monthly and after-works checks. See → /compliance/inspection-checklist/

Custom/Bespoke typically sits above published bands; request a compliant BOM for a firm quote.

7) Pricing & Lead Times

Q20. How much do devices typically cost (hardware only)?
A. UK ex VAT guidance bands (installation excluded):

• EN 1125 Rim (single): £45–£120

• EN 1125 Vertical-Rod (pairs): £110–£350+

• EN 1125 Mortise (flush): £125–£200+

• EN 179 Push pad/lever (single): £80–£130+

• Outside Trim: £60–£170+ · Euro Cylinder: £10–£65+ · Strikes/Keepers: £5–£40
  Full guide → /knowledge/cost-pricing-uk/

Q21. Do you include installation?
A. Our baseline is hardware only (ex VAT). Installation can be quoted on request—use /quote/.

8) Downloads & Documentation

Q22. Where can I get datasheets and templates?
A. See Downloads → /tools/downloads/ and Installation PDFs → /tools/downloads/installation-pdfs/.

Q23. Must I print templates at 100%?
A. Yes—to keep fixing centres accurate. Disable “fit to page” and verify hole centres on the actual device before drilling.

9) Orders, Returns & After-sales

Q24. How do I place an order or request a quote?
A. Use Request a Quote → /quote/, or email contact@ekinpanicbar.com with photos, counts and door details.

Q25. What if the door schedule changes after ordering?
A. Let us know immediately—especially changes to centre mullions, thresholds or fire-door status. We’ll amend the specification and any trims/cylinders as needed.

10) International & Units

Q26. Do you support projects outside the UK?
A. Yes. Start with the Global Product Selector and tell us the site country, units and currency.
Tools → /tools/product-selector/

Q27. Can you work in mm/inches and multiple languages/currencies?
A. Yes—the selector and quote can reflect units (mm/in), currency, and language requirements. We’ll note UK/EU compliance where applicable.

Still unsure?

Upload door photos, counts (single/pairs), mullion/threshold details, fire-door status and re-entry needs. We’ll return a compliant specification with an itemised quote in £.
Contact → /contact/