Panic Bars and Their Importance in Commercial Property

Definition of a Panic Bar

A panic bar is another term for a crash bar, panic exit device or push bar. This is actually a type of door that opens by pushing a bar that is part of the door itself. This is actually a spring-loaded metal bar, horizontally fixed to the door that simply needs to be pressed in order to open the door for quick exits from a building. Originally intended to prevent crowd crushing in emergencies, they are now common in commercial buildings.

Safety Codes and the Panic Bar

For decades now, most countries had building codes requiring public buildings to have a certain number of fire and emergency exits. Panic bars are in all these doors because they are proven to be the safest exit option in the event of mass evacuation during emergencies. Fast exits are much easier with the panic bar, as they are often an easy pass-through point without causing a clog in traffic. Considering human stampedes of the past, these doors prevent falls, crushing and other injuries that can occur in these crowds.

These stampedes would normally occur in larger rooms where a huge quantity of occupants may be together at one time. Possibly assembly halls or other large rooms can be considered hazardous because of these potential stampedes, or other areas may be considered hazardous by their layout or architecture, so the building code will most likely always make the final decision on the required panic bar. Especially with the International Building Code, there is the requirement of the panic bar for certain healthcare, education and assembly spaces based upon the number of people that may ever have to exit through a certain door.

Fire standards now require that commercial buildings be fit with panic bars in rooms that hold mass occupancy and may have a need for quick evacuation. It varies on the building or room, but these doors may sometimes only be intended for emergency exits and will have alarms that go off when they are opened at the wrong times. This all depends on the settings of the building and the type of door that has been installed. It could be the door that was chosen basically for simpler use inside the building.

The Path to Safety

OSHA requires a continuous and unblocked path of exit to a place of safety, provided by panic bars. For exterior doors, panic bars are available in several styles, often with alarms to prevent people from exiting to steal items or avoid paying a tab. They are often in commercial buildings like restaurants, bars, storefronts and other public places like schools and city buildings. With all different styles, the operation is basically the same; push on the panic bar the door opens. Panic exit door bars are available at several prices with different features from different manufacturers, so your sales associate is likely the best to help with the decision on the proper panic bar for your space.

Constructed of stainless steel, this panic bar is rugged and tamper resistant, has a powerful alarm, and a re-arming feature. Specific guidelines for the door will depend on the size of the building, number of stories, occupancy level and your budget. Undoubtedly, if you own a public building and or operate a business, it is likely that you already know about panic hardware and the code regarding emergency entrance and exit. The scope of these laws and codes cannot be covered in this short article, but panic bars compliance is vital to the life and safety of business owners as well as to employees and customers; additionally, the legal and moral ramifications of not complying are far reaching. Public buildings will not pass inspection if they are not up to The Life Safety Code with panic bars and hardware.

Dogging and the Commercial Panic Door

In some locations, such as storefront entrances, panic bars may be dogged during business hours. Dogging is a common feature on panic bars where the panic bar is retracted with a key so that the door is free to swing without latching. In this case customers can push on the door at any point (without pushing in the bar specifically) and it will open. This is not exactly unlocking, as the user is permitted to open the door from both ends while still performing an action to release the latches. However, in applications where the exterior side contains an immovable dummy lever, it is usually impossible to unlock the crash bar without also dogging it. Dogging should be avoided in high wind areas where the door is susceptible to blowing open.

Single-Door vs. Dual-Door Panic Bar

While the panic bar may seem to fit your door stile, there is a possibility that there is some overlapping either of the hardware or the frame. It is important that the door being mounted is the one that is being measured to match the length of the panic bar as well as the springs that will enter the frame around the door.

Even when using a standard on-point latch bar there can be complications, so if there is trouble at all when determining the right size of hardware or other equipment needed a locksmith may always be the best answer. Sometimes the right locksmith can both consult on the size of the door, the proper brand for your stile and complete the installation all in one. They would be able to help determine the specific needs and meet the safety and building codes that are determined by the use of our building and the space where the panic bar will be in place.

There is a locksmith right here in town that can help you with all of this at once. Luckily, with the panic bars on any door of your commercial building the locksmiths of Locksmith Vinings GA are available 24/7. Our professionals can help make sure these locks are always in proper working order for the safety of your business and customers.