Panic lock

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A panic lock (also called an anti- panic lock ) is mostly used for single and double-leaf doors along escape routes. A locked door can also be opened with a simple movement of the hand over the door handle (door handle) .

The panic lock often has a split follower , depending on its function . The follower is the central component of the lock. It takes up the square bar ( handle pin , handle mandrel ) on which the door handle is mounted. A split nut has two mutually rotatable halves, one of which is connected to the corresponding door handle on one side of the door leaf via the also split square. Both square pins end in the middle of the follower and both door handles can trigger a different function.

Directed to the room Follower is Zwingnuss because her case and bolt are retracted. No key is therefore required to unlock the door from the inside, even if it was previously locked from the outside. The outer follower only operates the latch, so a key is required to operate the bolt.

In contrast to this, there are also panic locks with a continuous follower. These are used when the door is only to be opened from the outside with a key. In this case, the outer door handle can be dispensed with and is replaced by a knob that cannot be rotated (e.g. on the outside doors of a house or apartment). Also in this case, the inner door handle on the handle follower actuated case and latches at the same time.

Panic door locks with a horizontal operating bar for doors in escape routes are standardized in EN 1125 .

The panic functions and their differences

The various panic functions are only roughly and simplified described below using a simple panic lock without a special function. The exact setting of a lock depends on u. a. according to the manufacturer and type of lock (motor lock; self-locking; etc.). The description takes place in connection with door fittings according to EN 179 as an example . These initially differ according to the type of fitting:

  1. Handle sets → with door handles on both sides (inside and outside) (as usual with room doors)
  2. Changeable sets → inside with door handle, outside usually with a fixed knob or handle (as is usual with house doors)

All panic locks make it possible to leave the building at any time and escape from a dangerous situation without further aids. A key is not required from the inside.

  • If the door has been locked with the key, the outer door handle is idle and therefore has no function. The lock latch holds the door in the strike plate and the bolt is also extended. External access is only possible with a key.
  • From the inside, however, the simple operation, i.e. pressing down the door handle, with a single hand movement is sufficient. Thanks to the special mechanics in the panic lock, the lock latch and bolt are pulled back at the same time and the door can be opened.
  • If the bolt is to be extended again, the door must be locked again with the key.

The panic locks differ only after the door has fallen back into the lock after the escape, or through the various possibilities of access from the outside. This is where the distinction begins, which is explained below.

Lever handle sets

The possible functions for handle sets are as follows:

  • Panic function B - toggle function :
    • The outer door handle is idle, the lock latch holds the door in the strike plate and the bolt is retracted. External access is only possible with a key.
    • If the key is now turned into a special position, the outer door handle is permanently engaged by the mechanics in the lock . It has its familiar opening function for pulling back the latch. The door handle maintains this opening function until the outer door handle is set to idle again when the key is closed. Because you can permanently switch between idle and opening function , this is called the switchover function.
  • Panic function C - forced closing function :
    • The outer door handle is idle, the lock latch holds the door in the strike plate and the bolt is retracted. External access is only possible with a key.
    • If the key is now turned into a special position, the outer door handle is briefly engaged by the mechanics in the lock . The door handle only has its opening function during this key position and the key cannot be removed during this time. Because you are forced to put the outer door handle back into neutral before you can remove the key, this is called the forced locking function.
  • Panic function D - passage function (also fire brigade function ):
    • The outer door handle is always engaged and has its opening function. Only the lock latch holds the door and can be opened at any time from the outside using the door handle. Because the free passage (access) was automatically established from the outside, one speaks here of the passage function. Since the fire brigade can also use such doors as rescue access during their operations, one speaks of the fire brigade function.
    • The outer door handle is only idle when the door is locked.

Exchange sets

The only possible function for alternate sets is this:

  • Panic function E - change function (formerly also transformer change function )
    • From the outside there is only a door knob or a pull handle (no door handle), so access is only possible with a key.
    • To open, the key must be turned a quarter or half turn in the opening direction to pull back the latch and open the door. Since this function was first used in transformer houses so that no one could get in without a key, it is also called the transformer change function .
Panic door lock with horizontal operating bar on the door

Horizontal operating rod

The inner door fitting can also be replaced by a horizontal operating rod, preferably in accordance with DIN EN 1125 . This is a fitting with a rod horizontally across the entire door leaf, which opens the lock by simply pressing the rod.

This ensures that the emergency exit can be opened even in a panic situation due to a crowd pushing ahead. Visitors to a building do not need to be familiar with how it works, as physical pressure against the bar is enough to open it. (even if people are pressed backwards against the bar, for example)

The panic lock functions are all possible, as described above, but of course the door fittings only differ here on the outside of the door, because the operating rod is always inside.

Locking panic locks

The function of a panic lock can block if there is a key in the lock cylinder on the outside , which prevents the lock bit from turning freely. The lock cylinders used with panic locks must therefore have a so-called free - swing function. If the lock cylinder does not have a hazard function , the key must not remain in the lock cylinder from the outside, otherwise the panic function of the door is not guaranteed.

Operating the key while the door handle is depressed at the same time should be avoided to avoid damaging the lock.

Escape doors in private areas

Panic locks are not required in the private sector or for smaller commercial properties. Nevertheless, all persons in the building must be able to leave the building at any time in dangerous situations. Doors in escape routes must therefore not be locked in such a way that they can only be opened from the inside with a key, another device or knowledge of the operating mechanism.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Free-wheeling function onafe24.de