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Entrance & Exit Strategy
A new lever operated outside access device has been launched that allows emergency exit doors in commercial buildings become entrance doors without...
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Simpler Emergency Hardware
When ASSA Abloy approached us to collaborate on a new range of emergency and panic hardware, we jumped at the chance to be involved in the design of the new products, writes Crispin Jedrzejewski, the head of technical & design the Kestrel Aluminium Systems.
Kestrel has a long history with ASSA Abloy going back nearly 30 years. We value this partnership highly because it allows us to leverage each other’s expertise, creating better products for our customers. This collaboration has resulted in a new product range that fills a gap in the market. We’re proud to say these products are designed and manufactured in Britain.
The Concealed Vertical Rod (CVR) exit hardware range includes a touch bar panic unit, push bar panic unit, push pad emergency unit and outside access device (OAD) and security escutcheon.
Easier product selection and fabrication
Selecting and fabricating emergency exit doors has always been a complicated process. There were so many different variations of hardware on the market, for different profile widths and door types – single, double, thermal, non-thermal. You might even end up sourcing one part of a system from one manufacturer and the accessories from another. There was no ‘one size fits all’ solution, instead you’d have to leaf through pages and pages of different products. It could be a costly process and it was easy to make the wrong choice.
This was an issue we were keen to address with the new hardware range. We wanted to develop a simpler, more cost-effective solution that would work across doors of all different widths and types. The new ASSA Abloy CVR exit hardware range offers universal application on all Kestrel Aluminium Systems’ commercial door and frame products – no matter the size. In addition, the bar for the touch bar and push bar panic units can be cut to size to accommodate specific projects as we understand that there is rarely a standard size.
Added security
Security was another aspect that we wanted to improve. Emergency exit doors – by their very definition – must be easily opened from the inside in the event of a fire for example. The focus has traditionally been on meeting the regulations for people to safely evacuate a building in the event of an emergency. Preventing people from entering the doors from the outside has been a lesser consideration.
This was a situation we were keen to rectify. Surprisingly, current building regulations for security, only apply to new dwellings, for which commercial emergency exit doors are a rarity. We expect the regulations to change and with this new hardware range we’re one step ahead for the wider market. The CVR exit hardware has been tested to PAS 24 with Kestrel Aluminium Systems’ single and double thermal commercial doors for added security, including OAD and escutcheon.
Preventing access
With the touch bar, push bar and push pad units the two-point shootbolt locks into the threshold and the transom is withdrawn by pressing down on the bar or pad. The outside access device and security escutcheon has bolt through fixings to provide excellent security when fitted to our aluminium door sets, with solutions to suit different section profiles. Locking the cylinder prevents access into the building but will not prevent escape out of it.
Looking good
Design aesthetics were another key consideration for this product line. While the hardware serves a functional purpose, it is crafted to look good as well. The entire range features an elegant design with fully concealed mechanisms. The touch bar has a low projection from the door face, giving it a modern, streamlined appearance. Although the standard finish is silver, other colours are available upon request to suit specific project needs.
Launch
We’re thrilled to be launching this product in partnership with ASSA Abloy. The initial feedback from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive. We believe the new CVR exit hardware range is such a significant improvement over previous options that it will undoubtedly capture huge interest in the market.
Pictures: ASSA Abloy and Kestrel Aluminium Systems have worked together to bring a new range of emergency exit hardware to the market.
Article written by Crispin Jedrzejewski
07th January 2025