GENERAL
There are regulations, standards, and guidelines for the minimum dimensions of emergency exits that must be strictly adhered to when constructing buildings. For example, in Germany, the ARGEBAU Model Assembly Places Ordinance (version May 2002) includes the following regulation:
The clear width of each part of emergency exits must be at least 1.20 m. The clear width of each part of emergency exits must be at least for the people dependent on them:
- Outdoor assembly places and sports stadiums 1.20 m per 600 people
- other assembly places 1.20 m per 200 people. Gradations are only permissible in steps of 0.60 m.
Escape and Rescue Routes according to DIN EN 179
Helpful information about the standard and possible applications.
Escape and Rescue Routes according to DIN EN 1125
Helpful information about the standard and possible applications.
Flucht- und Rettungswege gemäß EltVTR
Hilfreiche Information über die Norm und mögliche Einsatzgebiete.
Flucht- und Rettungswege gemäß EN 13637
Hilfreiche Information über die Norm und mögliche Einsatzgebiete.
Since April 1, 2003, after a corresponding coexistence phase, the harmonized European standards DIN EN 179 and DIN EN 1125 have been established. These standards were entered into the Construction Rules List B of the DIBt (German Institute for Construction Technology) and thus anchored in German construction law as of February 27, 2004.
The German Building Supervision holds the view that European standards only regulate trade and not usage, and existing national regulations do not refer to DIN EN 179/1125. Therefore, the building supervision only requires that escape routes must be "easy to open and in full width". For this reason, the standards DIN EN 179/1125 were again removed from the Construction Rules List Part B (Edition 2006/1).
This means that manufacturers of locking devices (locks, panic bars, etc.) for escape routes are still allowed to market products that do not comply with the EN standards. In many cases, it is advisable to use products that have been tested according to DIN EN 179/1125, as they comply with the latest technical rules.