Hospitality & Venue Exit Solutions (Panic Bars Exit Devices EN 1125 & EN 179) 

Design exits for hotels, restaurants, bars and event venues that open instantly and relatch reliably—without compromising the interior. Use EN 1125 touch bars on public routes and EN 179 devices on staff-only doors. EKIN maps each opening to the right configuration and accessories, including flush mortise options for design-led spaces. 

Public access or staff-only?

• EN 1125 (Public Access): Full-width touch bar for immediate egress without prior knowledge—typical on lobbies, dining rooms, ballroom corridors and audience routes.
  Explore → /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/
  
  

• EN 179 (Trained-Only): Push pad or lever for staff-only areas—kitchens, service corridors, stores and plant rooms.
  Explore → /products/emergency-exit-devices-en-179/
  
  

Quick guides → /compliance/bs-en-1125-guide/ · /compliance/bs-en-179-guide/

Typical hospitality door sets & recommended configurations

1) Lobby or restaurant single doors (public):

• EN 1125 rim touch bar; add outside trim & cylinder where controlled re-entry is required for staff.
  Links → Rim /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/rim/ · Outside Trim /products/accessories/outside-trim-handles/ · Cylinder Kits /products/accessories/cylinder-kits/
  
  

2) Banquet halls and long public corridors with paired doors (public):

• EN 1125 vertical-rod pairs with head keepers and recessed floor strikes for two-point latching and smooth relatching under heavy footfall and trolleys.
  
  

• If a centre mullion is present, use paired rim devices with mullion keepers.
  Links → Vertical-Rod /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/vertical-rod/ · Double-Door Kits /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/double-door-kits/ · Strikes & Keepers /products/accessories/strikes-keepers/
  
  

3) Design-led front-of-house (receptions, premium dining):

• EN 1125 mortise delivers a flush aesthetic with the lock case embedded in the door edge; confirm edge preparation and certification.
  Link → Mortise /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/mortise/
  
  

4) Kitchens, BOH corridors and stores (trained-only):

• EN 179 latch/bolt (lever or push pad) on single internal doors with staff training and signage.
  Links → EN 179 Latch /products/emergency-exit-devices-en-179/latch/ · EN 179 Bolt /products/emergency-exit-devices-en-179/bolt/

Accessories for hospitality (re-entry & appearance)

• Outside trims & cylinders for controlled re-entry (key–key or key–thumbturn). Choose trims matched to rim, vertical-rod or mortise devices and to your door thickness.
  Links → Outside Trim /products/accessories/outside-trim-handles/ · Cylinder Kits /products/accessories/cylinder-kits/
  
  

• Strikes & keepers tuned to frames and thresholds: recessed floor strikes for premium corridors; surface strikes where recessing isn’t possible. Include mullion keepers where centre mullions are used.
  Link → Strikes & Keepers /products/accessories/strikes-keepers/
  
  

• Dogging keys & covers for non-fire doors only (e.g., event set-up or housekeeping rounds) under a written housekeeping policy.
  Link → Dogging Keys & Covers /products/accessories/dogging-keys-covers/
  
  

Compliance & inspection (UK-focused, globally applicable)

• Match approvals to the door leaf certificate—device + strikes/keepers + fixings—especially on fire doors.
  
  

• Maintain consistent exit signage; keep hardware unobstructed by furniture or décor.
  
  

• Keep an inspection log (operating force, alignment, fixings, signage) on scheduled intervals.
  Resources → Inspection Checklist (PDF) /compliance/inspection-checklist/ · How to Install /knowledge/how-to-install-push-bar/ · Maintenance /knowledge/maintenance-troubleshooting/
  
  

Case snapshot

A conference hotel upgraded ballroom corridor pairs to EN 1125 vertical-rod with recessed floor strikes, kept the front lobby on EN 1125 mortise for a flush look, and specified EN 179 devices for BOH doors. Adding outside trims with cylinders on selected routes improved staff re-entry control and reduced call-outs after events.

FAQ (Hospitality & Venues)

Q1: Vertical-rod or rim for paired public doors?
Without a centre mullion, choose vertical-rod for two-point latching. With a centre mullion, paired rim devices and mullion keepers are appropriate.

Q2: Can we use EN 179 on a restaurant exit used by guests?
No—guest routes are public access; specify EN 1125.

Q3: Will EN 1125 mortise suit premium interiors?
Yes—mortise gives a flush appearance. Confirm edge preparation and certification before drilling.

Q4: Can we allow re-entry from the street or lobby?
Yes—use outside trims & cylinder kits per policy; check trim/device compatibility and cylinder length.

Q5: Floor strike or surface strike for banquet corridors?
Use a recessed floor strike where thresholds permit; otherwise specify a surface strike rated for the floor finish and trolley traffic.

Send venue layout (lobby/ballrooms/restaurants/BOH), door photos, single or double, centre mullion/threshold details, fire-door status and any re-entry needs. We’ll propose a compliant, design-sensitive configuration with an itemised price in £.

• Request a Quote → /quote/
  
  

• Use the Selector → /tools/product-selector/