Retail Shop Exit Solutions (Panic Bars Exit Devices EN 1125 & EN 179) 

Equip retail stores with exit hardware mapped to public routes and staff-only routes. Use EN 1125 touch bars on customer-facing exits and EN 179 devices on controlled back-of-house doors. EKIN helps you specify door-by-door configurations with matched accessories and fire-door documentation to pass inspection first time. 

Public access or staff-only?

• EN 1125 (Public Access): Full-width touch bar for immediate opening without prior knowledge. Typical on front-of-house doors, mall corridors and customer exits.
  Explore → /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/
  
  

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

Not sure? Start with our quick guides → /compliance/bs-en-1125-guide/ · /compliance/bs-en-179-guide/

Typical retail door sets & recommended configurations

1) Front-of-house single doors (public):

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

2) Shopping-mall or store double doors (public):

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

• Where a centre mullion exists, consider 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) Back-of-house / stock room single doors (trained-only):

• EN 179 latch/bolt (lever or push pad) for internal, supervised routes.
  Links → EN 179 Latch /products/emergency-exit-devices-en-179/latch/ · EN 179 Bolt /products/emergency-exit-devices-en-179/bolt/
  
  

4) Premium fit-outs (design-led):

• EN 1125 mortise for a more flush aesthetic on visible public doors.
  Link → Mortise /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/mortise/

Re-entry & accessories for retail

• Outside trims & cylinders for controlled re-entry (key–key or key–thumbturn); select mortise-, rim- or vertical-rod–compatible trims.
  Links → Outside Trim /products/accessories/outside-trim-handles/ · Cylinder Kits /products/accessories/cylinder-kits/
  
  

• Strikes & keepers tailored to frames and thresholds: head keepers, recessed floor strikes or surface strikes, plus mullion keepers.
  Link → Strikes & Keepers /products/accessories/strikes-keepers/
  
  

• Dogging keys & covers for non-fire doors during deliveries or cleaning under staff 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 clear signage and keep devices unobstructed by merchandising or stands.
  
  

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

Case snapshot

A high-street shop upgraded its main pair to EN 1125 vertical-rod with recessed floor strikes and moved back-of-house to EN 179 push pads. Adding outside trims with cylinders on selected doors improved staff re-entry control and helped the site pass inspection with fewer call-outs.

FAQ (Retail Shops)

Q1: Rim vs vertical-rod for my main entrance?
For double doors without a centre mullion, choose vertical-rod (two-point latching). If there is a centre mullion, paired rim devices can be used with mullion keepers.

Q2: Can we use EN 179 on a customer exit?
No—customer routes are public access; specify EN 1125.

Q3: Are trims and cylinders necessary?
Only where you need controlled re-entry from the safe side. Ensure the trim/cylinder is compatible with your device family and door thickness.

Q4: Floor strike or surface strike at the bottom?
Use a recessed floor strike where thresholds allow; otherwise specify a surface strike rated for the finished floor and traffic.

Q5: What causes slow return after busy trading days?
Often keeper misalignment or loose fixings. Check the template, latch throw and closer speed; re-tighten and log adjustments.

Send store layout (front-of-house/back-of-house), door photos, single or double, centre mullion/threshold details, fire-door status and any re-entry needs. We’ll propose a compliant retail configuration with an itemised price in £/$...

• Request a Quote → /quote/
  
  

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