Securing emergency exits and escape routes with door guards

 

Why securing escape routes is so important

Escape and rescue routes are central elements of any security concept in public buildings, businesses, and institutions. In an emergency, they must be able to be opened quickly and safely at any time – but it is also crucial that these doors are not used without authorization. This is precisely where door guards come into play: They ensure that emergency exits are only activated in a genuine emergency and trigger an audible alarm when opened.

What is a door guard?

A door guard is a mechanical-electronic safety system mounted on escape route or emergency exit doors. Mounted below the handle, it allows for quick, one-handed opening in an emergency – in accordance with DIN EN 179 emergency exit devices. Fully activating the door guard triggers a continuous alarm, immediately notifying those responsible. An optional door guard with a pre-alarm is also available. This is triggered by pressing the red button and provides additional protection against unauthorized use of the escape route.

Areas of application for door guards

Door guards, or emergency exit door guards, are used wherever security and control need to be balanced. For example in:
• Schools, kindergartens and authorities
• Hospitals and nursing homes
• Industrial and administrative buildings
• Hotels, underground car parks and public facilities

Thanks to their flexible mounting (gluing or screwing), they can also be retrofitted to existing doors, fire doors or glass doors.

How door guards work

The AlertLatch door guards are battery-operated and require no complicated wiring. They feature:
• Audible alarm (optional pre-alarm & main alarm)
• Robust housing with one-handed operation
• Various cylinder solutions – optionally individually locked, keyed alike or without a locking cylinder
• Mounting plates for fire doors and glass-framed doors

Thanks to their compact design and one-handed operation, doors can be opened immediately in an emergency, even if an alarm has been triggered.

Safety measures according to DIN EN 179 – legally on the safe side

DIN EN 179 regulates emergency exit devices with lever handles or push plates for doors in escape routes. However, escape door guards for emergency exits are not explicitly included in this standard. Therefore, testing can only be carried out in accordance with DIN EN 179. Nevertheless, the AlertLatch door guard ensures compliance with all relevant safety requirements for emergency exit devices. 

PS: Our Managing Director Axel Fischer, CEO of Fischer Akkumulatorentechnik GmbH , has been active in standardization work nationally and internationally for over 10 years, leads European standardization projects and has in-depth expertise in this field.

Conclusion

Securing emergency exits and escape routes is an essential component of any security strategy. With an AlertLatch door guard, you combine access control and escape route security at the highest level. Whether in schools, businesses, or public facilities – emergency exit door guards protect lives and simultaneously prevent the misuse of emergency exits. 

Discover the right models in the door guard category now and equip your escape routes with modern security technology.