Safety has never been better

Safety, ease of management and design come together in innovative escape and panic solutions

Thinking about safety in (public) buildings starts at the drawing board. GU has extensive experience in designing and realizing innovative escape and panic solutions. "By linking different GU systems together, it becomes possible to control everything from one central area," says Marc van Oijen, Architectural Advisor at GU Netherlands. "From escape and panic doors to access control systems and from fire alarm systems to SHE systems. Naturally, our systems meet all project requirements as well as the standards in force for escape routes EN 179, EN 1125 and EN 13637."

Gretsch-Unitas, better known as GU, is a leading supplier in window and door technology, automatic access systems and building management systems. The GU group manufactures and distributes, among other things, building hardware, locks and locking and access control systems of the GU, GU automatic, FERCO, ela-soft and BKS brands.

Safe and aesthetic

"GU not only has an eye for the total system, also at the detail level we are the partner in the field of systems for escape and rescue routes. For example, with our innovative self-locking multi-point locks with panic function," said Van Oijen. "We have developed several special solutions in which safety and aesthetics come together nicely. For example, we offer large revolving doors that provide an impressive and elegant entrance while guaranteeing maximum escape route width. This eliminates the need for a separate escape door."

Panic Solutions

Panic hardware is also known as emergency door hardware and is known for the horizontal bar (push and touch bar) applied to the inside of the emergency door. This allows the emergency door to be opened immediately in panic situations, by leaning or pressing against the bar. GU offers a wide range of push and touch bars suitable for single or double fire doors, smoke protection doors and/or doors up to 300 pounds. "In combination with BKS' mortise locks and accessories, the push and touch bars are EN 1125 approved," said Van Oijen. "The durability has been tested with 1 million closing movements. The series are available in stainless steel, aluminum or plastic."

Consistent design

From standard hardware and burglar-resistant hardware to versions for fire protection, smoke protection and escape doors, GU's panic hardware solutions make it possible to maintain a consistent design throughout the building. Both for windows and doors.  

Some examples of GU safety solutions:

The HM-F FT escape route sliding door: when locked, it functions as a swing door with escape door operation. This means that this door is completely barrier-free not only in daily operations, but also in emergency situations. 

The electric-locking Touch Bar EVT: this touch bar is easy to operate and has three statuses: enable, alarm and lock and is ideally suited for all panic doors.