Fire exits in schools

[Guest Tom]

In a large primary school they have fire exits in each classroom, but all the exits have push pads. I thought that any building that has more than 60 people in must have push bars on the doors. As each class as it’s own fire exit door would push pads be allowed as there is 30 people in a class? 

[AnthonyB]

It's not the total number in the building that dictates fastenings and direction of opening but the number realistically likely to need to use them. Unless things get really bad in education it's unlikely a classroom direct exit will be used by more than 60 persons and evacuation will be staff led so an EN179 push pad exit device would be accepted.

[Guest Tom]

Hi, thanks for your reply. 
Should  panic bars/push pads be CE Marked? The push pads don’t seem to have any markings on them.

[AnthonyB]

Unless they are very old and predate the CE marking requirement, yes

[Guest Tom]

Hi Anthony,

Are thumb turns allowed on a final exit door?. The school has a couple of doors that has them. Should these be push pads?

[Mike North]

Same answer as for the push pads, all depends on the number of people and their familiarity with the route

[AnthonyB]

10 hours ago, Guest Tom said:

Hi Anthony,

Are thumb turns allowed on a final exit door?. The school has a couple of doors that has them. Should these be push pads?

As said, depends on numbers and types of person that could be using them.