I recently participated in a LinkedIn discussion about “panic hardware” for EXIT doors from an NH3 Refrigeration mechanical room. The image shared (which the poster acknowledged fell short) was a push pad about the size of an adult’s hand. Here are the specifics for our (USA-based) panic hardware on EXIT doors:
- Panic hardware must extend at least one-half (½) the width of the door.
- It must be mounted between 34″ and 48″ ABOVE the finished floor.
- The device must release with a maximum force of 15 pounds and comply with UL 305 standards.
Key Requirements & Specifications
- Actuating Portion: The touchpad or crossbar must span at least 50% of the door’s width.
- Mounting Height: The device must be positioned with the operating mechanism between 34 and 48 inches (864–1219 mm) above the floor.
- Force Requirements: A maximum of 15 pounds (66.7 N) of force applied to the device must release the latch.
- Operation: Must operate with one hand, without tight grasping or twisting.
- Balanced Doors: For balanced doors, the panic hardware must not extend more than half the door width from the latch side.
- Dogging: Fire exit hardware (unlike standard panic hardware) cannot have mechanical dogging devices that hold the latch retracted.
- These requirements ensure compliance with ADA guidelines and local building codes for proper egress.