When an Emergency door is used as a regular door

Outside  lockable handle -Iseo

Panic bolt touch bar type -Iseo

Panic latch touch bar type -Iseo

Often I am asked 'is there some way an emergency door with the standard grey push bar type of panic exit door lock and vertical rods, can be made work as a regular door that will open and close easily.  The answer is simple and provided below.  For emergency exit doors with rudimentary grey rods closing at the top and bottom of the door, regular use as a normal latching door is not really possible.  This is because the bars that hold the door closed do not spring back and allow the door to swing closed and and latch in the closed position.

The common scenario where you need to use a door fitted with an emergency exit panic bolt for regular access to your building is easily remedied. This is made possible by the use of a touch bar panic bolt and a lever action outside access handle.   The outside access handle will operate as a normal lever handle to open the door, when it is unlocked. The touch bar panic latch will allow the door close smoothly and remain closed with the minimum of effort.  From inside the door is opened by pushing the touch bar, an action even the public can be instructed to do as a 'Push Bar to Open' sign is placed just over the touch bar.

For single doors you can use a touch bar panic latch, which latches at the center point only and is used with the lever action outside access handle, the same as with the latch action panic bolts above right.
Iseo products are shown above these are the considered one the the best available, Exidor products are shown below.  All these panic door fittings perform perfectly as emergency door exit locks but they have the added advantages outlined above.

Touch bar panic latch - Exidor

Lockable outside lever handle - Exidor