European directives

In recent years, increased public awareness of safety in public buildings - hosting people untrained in emergency situations - has focused greater importance on the management of panic or emergency exits. After years of various and conflicting national laws and regulations, the topic of emergency exits has now been harmonized in specific European standards

On February 14, 2002 the Official Journal of the European Communities published EN 1125 and EN 179 as provided for in the "EEC Directive 89/106 Construction Products". Among other aspects, this directive requires that some types of products be approved for CE marking by a notified "body": for panic bars and emergency exit devices such marking is mandatory for products sold in the market (by the manufacturer) after April 1, 2003.
All CISA Sblock and New Europa rim panic devices bear CE marking since June 2002 and mortise panic devices bear CE marking since March 2003.
In particular, these directives establish the procedures for the assessment of the safety aspect of two kinds of panic devices:

EN 1125
for panic exit devices operated by horizontal bars (traditional panic bars and touch-bars). Such devices are mainly installed in public buildings and places where staff or public have limited or no training in emergency procedures: cinemas, theaters, sports buildings, etc.

EN 179
for emergency exits operated by handles or push pads. Such devices are mainly installed in places where people are familiar with the emergency procedures (offices, heating plants, etc.).

Who must comply with such directives

Manufacturer
All panic devices sold on the market after 01/04/03 must bear CE marking (indelible and clearly visible). All products must be provided with instructions for correct installation and maintenance and must bear all information regarding certification (the certifying body, certification number, etc.). 
 
Distributor
The distributor must only sell products with CE marking. Products without CE marking can only be sold if they were purchased prior to 01/04/03 and are not clearly in contrast with the regulations. 
 
Installer
The installer is responsible for ensuring that the product is installed in full compliance with the fitting instructions supplied with the product.

User
The user is responsible for correct maintenance (as outlined in the manufacturer's instructions) and must ensure that the original product performance is maintained. To facilitate maintenance operations, CISA provides a periodic maintenance form that can be used to prove compliance with the maintenance schedule. NUMBER OF CYCLES. Two categories of durability are defined: Grade 6 (100,000 cycles); Grade 7 (200,000 cycles) DOOR WEIGHT. Two categories of door weight are identified: Grade 5=up to 100 Kg; Grade 6=up to 200 Kg FIRE RESISTANCE. Two categories of fire door resistance are identified: Grade 0=not approved for use on fire/smoke doors; Grade 1=suitable for use on fire/smoke doors SAFETY. All panic and emergency devices have a critical safety function and therefore only the top grade is identified (Grade 1) CORROSION RESISTANCE. Two grades of corrosion resistance are identified: Grade 3=high resistance; Grade 4=very high resistance SECURITY. Only one category of security is identified (Grade 2) in view of the fact that safety considerations always take priority over security BAR PROJECTION. Grade 1=up to 150 mm (standard projection); Grade 2=up to 100 mm (reduced projection) TYPE OF BAR MECHANISM. A=panic device with push bar operation; B=panic device with touch bar operation 
 
The classification printed on the product helps in understanding and identifying the appropriate characteristics for each application.

 What EN 1125 establish

If the size of the door is bigger than the indicated values , the door cannot be included in the application range of EN 1125 and the product certification is no more valid.
In case of doors of max width up to 2000 mm, maximum height up to 3500 mm , weight up to 200 Kg. CISA declares that the performance of its rim panic devices (New Europa, Sblock and Prestige) are unaltered as compared to what established by the norm.

The length of the bar (size X) has to be as similar as possible to the width (size Y) of the door where is has to be installed. In any case it cannot be lower than 60% of the size (see drawing). The door weight to be considered is the one specifired by the norm.