Compliance with Fire and Emergency Escape Regulations can mean the difference between life and death in the event of an Emergency in a public building. These Regulations have one purpose and that is to protect and safe guard building occupants ensuring the best chance of survival in an emergency situation.
A lot of people mix up fire and emergency escape regulations, and the term Fire Exit is factually incorrect. The fire regulations refer to the ability of a product’s ability to contain and prevent the spread of fire throughout a building. The Emergency Escape Regulations relate to the unobstructed means of escape from the building in the event of an emergency.
The containment and prevention of the spread of fire is of critical importance in a building and the use of correct and certified products can make all of the difference. Not only should the door be fire tested but also any door hardware should also carry the relevant fire testing.
The ultimate goal for the Emergency Escape Regulation is to allow unobstructed means of escape from the building in the event of an Emergency. Again all door hardware should be tested and certified to EN179, EN1125 or EN13637 if used on a designated Emergency Exit door. For a solution to be compliant the product must be tested and certified, be fitted in accordance with manufacturers guidelines and allow for unobstructed means of escape from 1 single action by means of a mechanical device.
Not only is complying with these regulations the right thing to do, it is also your legal responsibility as a building owner, manager and occupier to provide a safe and suitable facility to any users. Under the Fire Services Act 1981 you are obliged to comply with these regulations if your building is open to the public or used for commercial purposes. Also, as an employer it is your legal responsibility to provide and safe and suitable place of work for your employees under the Health Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
Compliance with Fire and Emergency Escape Regulations is not optional, it is your legal responsibility to ensure that your facility is complaint and that you have made any and all reasonable attempts to ensure the safety and welfare of your buildings occupants.
For more information on our bespoke solution please feel free to contact us directly on
052 612 8090 or email us on info@integratedsecurity.ie
About us…
MD Lock & key are a family run business that specialises in providing the very best of electronic and mechanical locking systems along with other locksmith activities in a thoroughly professional manner.
Our unique approach in working closely with our client to develop and install a solution that meets their every requirement and is installed to the highest standards combined with our policy to deliver a quality of service that exceeds the needs of our clients.
Killian D’Arcy
Director & Electronic Locking System Engineer
