Wondering why you should install panic bars on all the exits of your business?
Allow us to count the ways. First of all, installing a panic bar guarantees a fast and easy escape in case something bad happens at your place of business. However, failing to properly install your commercial door push bar can lead to serious consequences.
Need a hand in the panic bar installation department?
Luckily for you, we’re the experts. Take a look at several reasons why you need a panic bar for door security today!
Panic Bars: A Complete History
If you’re wondering why you need panic bars at your business, consider this. In case you didn’t know, panic bars are also known as crash bars. These mechanical devices work from the inside of your building since they are installed within your exit door.
FYI – panic bars usually cover at least half of an exit door. Depending on which county you live in, this exit mechanism has to be simple enough so that anyone can open it without knowing how to use it.
All that it takes is a gentle push to open most push rails and crossbars on exit doors. What’s the story behind the name “panic bar?” It’s simple.
Crash bars are called panic devices due to the way that people felt when they had to evacuate due to a serious emergency. Of course, most city laws require that any rooms or buildings have a panic bar installed to allow for a safe and easy mass evacuation.
Also, the term “crash bar” was created as a result of the number of times people ran into the door while they were scrambling out of the building. To make matters even more stress-free, the law also requires that your exit door has to swing outward as well.
Nonetheless, these doors should also be locked from outside to prevent burglars from coming in. The saddest reason behind the creation of panic bars involves several historical fires. These virtually decimated buildings and killed tons of people.
Whether there weren’t enough exits or the doors were locked, lives were lost when some stampeded others to get outside. At the start of the early 19th century, business owners were punished for not having proper exits at their facilities.
Thus, the era of fire escapes and building safety codes began.
Where to Install Panic Bars
Now that you understand the importance of panic bars, it is time to talk about where to install them in your office building. Before we discuss where to install them, it’s essential to have panic bars anytime at:
- Educational events with more than 50 people
- Assemblies with more than 50 people
- Dangerous workplaces with any amount of people
That being said, this law only applies to doors that latch or lock on their own. This regulation also doesn’t pertain to doors with “push/pull hardware.” So, if your door doesn’t have a latch lock, you should be good to go.
For the rest of us, panic hardware is a necessity in places such as:
- Educational event with more than 100 people
- Assemblies of more than 100 people
- Daycare facilities with more than 100 people
- Dangerous workplaces with over five people
Get this. It’s essential to have panic bars installed in rooms that contain any amount of electronic equipment as well. In addition to this, you should have a crash bar installed several yards away from public workers.
Moving forward, even apartments, retail facilities, or office buildings to benefit from panic bars. These are especially useful in the event of any dangerous, educational, art assembly area in the building as well. On top of that, any business that contains an electrical room also needs crash bars on its exits.
This one is a no-brainer- you’re not allowed to put any hasp, padlock, chain, or deadbolt lock on your panic bar either. That would just defeat the point, wouldn’t it?
Naturally, using a panic device on a fire escape door is also common. Make sure that you attach the proper signs on your fire exit. This sign lets people know there is a panic device attached to the fire escape!
The Difference Between Panic Devices & Fire Exits
When it comes to panic hardware versus fire exits, what’s the difference?
Despite what you may think, fire exits and panic hardware are completely different styles of equipment. Their unique classifications depend on the specific codes for each piece of equipment.
For starters, panic devices are exit devices that are custom-made for doors that require them. However, these usually cannot be placed on fire doors.
Another thing about panic hardware is that they have a dogging feature. This creates friction, which retracts the latches via a push and pull feature as well.
On the other hand, fire exits are practically the same thing, except that they can be installed on any kind of door. Nonetheless, these emergency exits don’t have a dogging feature since they don’t need “positive latching.”
Instead, fire exits have an electrical system that automatically projects a latch when the fire alarm is triggered. If you’re not sure to tell a difference between the two, have no fear.
Most panic devices or fire exits are labeled to make it abundantly clear which is which. To be safe, fire exits work in both fire and panic scenarios. Pretty cool, right?
But here’s the thing – this electrical latch has to be connected to the fire exit for it to work. That’s why would highly recommend that you purchase a panic bar for your building instead!
The Many Perks of Panic Bars
If you’re curious about the many perks of panic bars, you’ve come to the right place. For those who run small companies, crash bars have enormous benefits, allowing people to escape emergencies with ease.
At first glance, a panic bar is similar to a traditional doorknob or a door handle. Yet, the main difference is that you have to push a panic bar to open it rather than turn knob or press a handle. Crash bars are already popular in most commercial spaces too.
Why is that? Not only are crash bars effective, but they are super sturdy and simple to use. All that it takes is a “spring-loaded” metal bar to help people exit your building with ease.
Another reason that crash bars are so safe is that they allow visitors to run in the event of a bad situation as well. And get this: your company can even receive a reduced insurance rate if you install a crash bar too. Yes, you read that right.
That’s because crash bars lower the risk of your commercial property in the eyes of your insurance company. Besides this, there are a bunch of different varieties of crash bars available, including:
- Different shapes
- Different sizes
- Different colors
As if that’s enough, it is also very affordable to have a panic installed at your place of business. Rather than replacing or installing a complex appliance, get an easy-to-use crash bar instead. Trust us – your business will save both time and money with this wise decision.
Of course, if you want to install a more expensive panic bar installed at your company, expect to spend a bit more money than that. Whatever you decide, you can’t go wrong with having a panic bar installed just in case.
We promise you won’t regret it!
Commercial Companies and Crash Bars
If you own a company, one of the biggest benefits of installing panic bars at your business is that they can prevent the “human stampede effect.”
Since doors with panic bars are much more reliable, you will never need to panic in an emergency again. Instead, you’ll be able to keep your mind clear as you open all the doors you need to escape. Therefore, panic bars are a must for any emergency exits in your office building.
Does your business hold more than 10 people at a time?
If yes, then your employees might have a hard time fitting out of one tiny door in the back of your building. Panic bars guarantee that your exit door won’t get stuck in case of an emergency as well. In the event of a human stampede, crash bars are your ultimate protection against any injuries occurring on your property too.
Our general rule of thumb is that the larger your business is, the more panic bars you need on your exit doors. This makes sense for any businesses that hold huge assemblies, host educational conferences, or work in risky places.
Keep in mind the parent bars operates from within your building, not outside of it. Also, crash bars typically have their own alarm systems to signal illegal entries. So, you can scrap your fears about anyone entering your office unlawfully!
Finding the Perfect Panic Bar Locksmith
Worried about finding the perfect panic bar locksmith for your business? Luckily for you, your search is officially over. If you want your panic bar to be installed properly the first time, you might want to look for:
- Locksmiths with around-the-clock service
- Locksmiths recommended by colleagues
- Locksmiths with positive customer reviews
One of the first things you should do is find a panic bar locksmith who can provide around-the-clock service. Besides, you never know when you need to deal with an emergency, right?
Besides this, asking your colleagues for recommendations on picking a locksmith is key. Also, researching all the available options is an awesome idea. No matter if you scan customer reviews or look at the Better Business Bureau, it’s critical to do your research first.
What should you do when your panic bar specialist arrives?
Be sure to have the correct documents available to prove your identity. After all, having physical proof that you own the business in question is the easiest way to show them that you are the right person to talk to.
While you’re at it, you might as well hire a locksmith that offers several different services too. In addition to commercial services, you should hire a locksmith that can also resolve residential and auto issues.
The next step is to trust your gut in terms of finding out a perfect panic bar locksmith. If you feel like you are not dealing with a trustworthy person, then there is no way that you are going to want to allow them access to your security system.
Once you finally find the locksmith you can trust us, have them provide an estimate for the services. After you get several estimates together, compare them and choose the most affordable one for your business.
Protect Your Business With Panic Bars Today
Want to learn how to protect your business with panic bars today?
If so, then you’re in luck. Our handy guide has everything you need to know, from the history of panic bars to the best place to install them in your business.
Not sure if your company needs a crash bar on its premises? Think again. Panic bars are used to prevent the human stampede effect again and again in times of emergencies.
You don’t want to deal with situations that you could avoid with simple precautionary measures, do you? We didn’t think so.
If you are ready to take the plunge, it’s probably time to install a panic bar at your business. What are you waiting for? Purchase a panic bar now!
Tired of researching “panic bar for doors” all day?
Don’t hesitate to give us a call right away!