New escape doors in Schramberg-Sulgen: Security strengthened in the festival hall!

New escape doors in Schramberg-Sulgen: Security strengthened in the festival hall!

New escape doors were recently installed in the Schramberg-Sulgen festival hall. The integration of these safety-relevant elements is part of a comprehensive measure to improve fire protection and safety within the facility. The necessary cutout for the doors has already been made and the escape doors are filled with panels, not glass, to ensure safety. Each door also has an exit with a railing, which increases accessibility in an emergency. The construction progress shows that those responsible attach great importance to safety standards, as the Schwarzwälder Bote reported.

The installation of new escape doors takes place against the background of changing regulations and safety requirements in Germany. The focus is particularly on the technical rule ASR A2.3, published on March 1, 2022, which specifies the requirements for escape routes and emergency exits. This regulation has caused confusion, particularly in the context of childcare centers, as Section 7(4) allows doors in escape routes to be lockable. Daycare center operators and safety experts express their concerns as there are questions about safety and practicality. This leads to a tense discussion about the requirements for escape routes.

Implications of the new regulations

Section 7(4) is viewed particularly critically because it represents a deviation from the legal requirements of the Workplace Ordinance and building law. This means that main entrance doors in daycare centers must both prevent children from leaving without authorization and ensure access for parents. These requirements are particularly challenging because the entrance doors must be equipped with appropriate locks in accordance with the DIN EN 179 and DIN EN 1125 standards. The use of “lockable” doors in the escape direction is classified by experts as not conforming to standards because they could endanger the safety of users, as Baulinks states.

Solutions to improve security in special facilities are also being discussed. Electrically controlled escape door systems that work in accordance with DIN EN 13637 and EltVTR could offer legally compliant alternatives. However, these systems must ensure that the electrical locking can be deactivated in the event of danger. Fire alarm systems can help here by automatically canceling the lock. Additionally, modern door closers should be considered in combination with self-locking Mediator panic locks to enable rapid evacuation in an emergency.

The discussion about safety in escape routes is particularly important because it affects both children and the adults caring for them. Standard-compliant solutions that offer both security and accessibility are essential for the future. The latest developments in Schramberg are a step in the right direction, but still require a critical look at the current standards and their implementation.