School Exit Solutions (Panic Bars Exit Devices EN 1125 & EN 179) 

Equip schools and colleges with exit hardware mapped to occupancy and routes. Public-facing corridors and assembly spaces require EN 1125 touch bars, while staff-only rooms may use EN 179 devices. EKIN helps you select door-by-door configurations, matching accessories and fire-door documentation to pass inspection. 

Public access or staff-only?

• EN 1125 (Public Access): A full-width touch bar that any pupil or visitor can operate without prior knowledge—typical on corridors, main exits, halls and assembly spaces.
  Explore → /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/
  
  

• EN 179 (Trained-Only): A push pad or lever for staff-only areas—offices, stores, plant rooms, controlled back-of-house routes.
  Explore → /products/emergency-exit-devices-en-179/
  
  

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

Typical school door sets & recommended configurations

1) Main corridor double doors (public):

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

• Alternative: paired rim devices with a centre mullion where appropriate.
  Links → Vertical-Rod /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/vertical-rod/ · Double-Door Kits /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/double-door-kits/
  
  

2) Single side doors to playgrounds or fire routes (public):

• EN 1125 rim touch bars; add outside trim & cylinder for controlled re-entry by staff.
  Link → Rim /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/rim/
  
  

3) Assembly halls & theatres (public):

• EN 1125 devices on all public egress doors; consider vertical-rod for wide paired leaves.
  
  

• For premium interiors, mortise EN 1125 provides a flush appearance.
  Links → Mortise /products/panic-exit-devices-en-1125/mortise/
  
  

4) Staff rooms, stores & plant rooms (trained-only):

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

Accessories for schools (re-entry & reliability)

• Outside trims & cylinder kits for controlled re-entry on selected doors (key–key or key–thumbturn).
  Links → Outside Trim /products/accessories/outside-trim-handles/ · Cylinder Kits /products/accessories/cylinder-kits/
  
  

• Strikes & keepers matched 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 under staff policy (cleaning, events).
  Link → Dogging Keys & Covers /products/accessories/dogging-keys-covers/
  
  

Compliance & inspection for education sites

• Approvals must match your door leaf certificate (device + strikes/keepers + fixings, especially on fire doors).
  
  

• Keep signage consistent; ensure devices are unobstructed and at the recommended bar height.
  
  

• Maintain an inspection log (operate 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 secondary school upgraded corridor double doors to EN 1125 vertical-rod pairs with recessed floor strikes. Side exits moved to rim bars with outside trims for staff re-entry. Inspections passed first time; reports of door-edge rattle dropped thanks to correctly seated keepers.

FAQ (Schools)

Q1: How do I choose between vertical-rod and rim on double doors?
Where there is no centre mullion, choose vertical-rod for two-point latching. If a centre mullion is present, paired rim devices can be used with mullion keepers.

Q2: Can we use EN 179 on classroom exits?
Only if the route is staff-only/trained-only. For pupil/public egress, specify EN 1125.

Q3: Are these devices fire-door compatible?
Many are, but approvals must match your door certificate—include strikes/keepers and fixings.

Q4: Can we add re-entry from the playground side?
Yes—specify outside trims and cylinder kits where policy allows controlled re-entry.

Q5: What causes slow return or jamming after term starts?
Usually keeper misalignment or fixings loosening under heavy traffic. Re-check the template, latch throw and closer speed; log the adjustments.

Send campus layout (corridors/assemblies/staff-only rooms), door photos, single or double, centre mullion/threshold details, fire-door status and any re-entry needs. We’ll propose a compliant school-wide configuration with an itemised price in £.

• Request a Quote → /quote/
  
  

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