Publish Time: 2026-01-31 Origin: Site
Panic exit devices are among the most life-critical components in a fire-rated door system.
During an emergency, occupants must be able to open the door instantly, intuitively, and without prior instruction.
To ensure this, different regions enforce different technical standards — most notably UL 305 in North America and EN 1125 in Europe.
Although both standards serve the same life safety purpose, their test philosophies, performance criteria, and regulatory roles differ significantly.
This article provides a technical comparison of UL 305 and EN 1125, helping engineers and specifiers make correct certification decisions.
•Region: United States, Canada, UL-accepted markets
•Referenced by: IBC, NFPA 101, NFPA 80
•Scope: Panic hardware for Fire and non-fire-rated doors
•Certification Type: Third-party listing (UL)
UL 305 focuses on reliable operation under abuse, load, and emergency conditions.
•Region: European Union / CE markets
•Legal Framework: Construction Products Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011
•Supporting Standard: EN 1634 (fire & smoke performance)
•Certification Type: CE marking (mandatory)
EN 1125 ensures safe escape for the public, assuming panic conditions.
Aspect | UL 305 | EN 1125 |
Regulatory nature | Code-driven | Legal requirement |
User assumption | Trained or untrained | Untrained public in panic |
Test focus | Durability & abuse | Intuitive emergency escape |
Certification output | UL Listing | CE Mark + DoP |
•Activation via push bar or touchpad
•Operation force limits defined
•Emphasis on consistent function after repeated use
•Compatible with electrified panic hardware
•Mandatory horizontal push bar
•Single-action escape
•Strict limits on:
Operating force
Door opening movement
Test Item | UL 305 | EN 1125 |
Cycle test | Yes | Yes |
Minimum cycles | High (project dependent) | 200,000 cycles |
Load testing | Yes | Yes |
Abuse resistance | Strong emphasis | Moderate emphasis |
EN 1125 sets a fixed high-cycle requirement, while UL 305 allows grade-based interpretation via codes and specifications.
•Can be listed for use on UL 10C fire-rated assemblies
•Fire exposure evaluates:
Latching integrity
Attachment stability
•Fire performance verified via:
EN 1634-1 fire test
CE marking under EN 16034
Application | UL 305 | EN 1125 |
Public buildings | Yes | Yes |
Fire exits | Yes | Yes |
Hospitals | Yes | Yes |
Schools | Yes | Yes |
Industrial buildings | Yes | Limited |
•UL Mark on product
•Listing file number
•Installation & application limitations
•CE Mark
•Declaration of Performance (DoP)
•Classification code
•UL 305 does not replace CE marking
•EN 1125 does not satisfy UL code requirements
Dual-market projects require dual compliance.
•Project follows IBC or NFPA codes
•AHJ requires UL-listed panic hardware
•Door assembly is UL 10C fire-rated
•Project is located in the EU
•Door serves as a public emergency exit
•CE marking is legally required
International projects
Export-oriented building specifications
❌ “All panic bars are the same”
❌ “Passing one standard covers the other”
❌ “Fire-rated door means panic device is automatically compliant”
Each standard addresses different risk models and user behaviors.
UL 305 and EN 1125 are built on different regulatory and behavioral assumptions, yet both aim to protect life under extreme conditions.
•UL 305 prioritizes durability and system reliability
•EN 1125 prioritizes instinctive escape under panic
•Legal compliance
•Fire inspection approval
•Safe and predictable egress
In panic hardware specification, the standard defines the safety outcome.
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