Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 18-01-2025 Origin: Site
When it comes to creating safe, easy-to-navigate spaces, panic bars are an absolute must in high-traffic environments. Also known as crash bars, these devices are essential for ensuring rapid and effortless exits during emergencies. Whether you're managing a commercial facility, a school, or a public space, understanding the different types of panic bars, their features, and proper installation methods is key.
This guide dives into everything you need to know about panic bars—from how they work and their various configurations to details on specialized hardware for specific exit requirements. Let's explore how panic bars can enhance safety and compliance in your building.
Panic bars are horizontal push bars typically installed on exit doors in commercial or public buildings. When pushed, usually with just light force, the device disengages the lock to allow fast egress, making them integral to safety measures for emergency exits.
They are widely found in environments like hospitals, schools, retail stores, and office spaces, where large crowds may gather. Any place where quick evacuation might be required by law or necessity, panic bars play a vital role.
Key benefits include:
● Ease of Use: Operates with minimal pressure, so even children or the elderly can act quickly.
● Emergency Efficiency: Eliminates fumbling with door handles, improving exit times during crises.
● Safety Compliance: Meets stringent fire and emergency regulations in most jurisdictions.
Panic bars that meet UL (Underwriters Laboratories) safety standards comply with comprehensive testing for reliability and endurance. UL-rated panic bars ensure your building meets code while offering peace of mind about the hardware's durability under real-world conditions.
Not all panic bars are built the same. Panic bar exit devices come in a variety of designs to suit different security and egress needs.
This is the most common type, ideal for single doors. It is surface mounted, with a bolt or latch extending horizontally into a strike plate when locked.
Mortise panic bars feature internal locks that are embedded in the door. This provides a cleaner appearance and additional security but often requires precise installation.
Perfect for double doors, vertical rod panic bars use rods that extend up and down into the frame of the door to secure it. They provide both functionality and an option for aesthetics.
Concealed vertical rods or mechanisms are hidden within the door for a seamless look while maintaining high functionality. These are particularly popular in applications requiring sleek finishes.
When selecting panic bars, considering their locking mechanisms is crucial, especially for balancing safety and security.
1.Fail-Safe Locks These locks automatically unlock in emergencies, such as a power outage. They're commonly used in high-traffic spaces where ensuring free egress is a top priority.
2.Fail-Secure LocksFail-secure locks remain locked during power failures but can still be disengaged manually using the panic bar. These are ideal for areas where security is just as critical as functional egress.
3.Push-Pad Locks Push-pad locking configurations have a locking mechanism that engages only when the panic bar is released, providing secure exits.
4.Key-Operated Locks Some panic bars feature key access locks for extra control over who can activate the device. This is often used on doors with restricted egress access.
Panic bars aren't just standalone devices; they also require compatible hardware to function effectively.
● Material: Are your doors metal, wood, or glass? Your hardware will depend on the base material.
● Size & Weight: Lightweight panic bar door hardware is sufficient for internal doors, but heavier-duty hardware may be required for reinforced or external doors.
● Frequency of Use: High-traffic areas need hardware tested for durability and frequent use.
● Latch Guards: Prevent tampering and provide extra security for panic bar doors.
● Electric Strikes: These pair with panic bars for electronic locking and unlocking, commonly used in remote or automated access systems.
● Exit Alarms: Add-ons like alarms can be installed to discourage improper use of panic exit devices.
Ensuring that panic bars are installed at the correct height is a regulatory requirement in most building codes. UL-rated bars include specific guidelines for installation that align with these regulations, ensuring safe and compliant setups.
Panic bar height is typically standardized between 34 to 48 inches from the floor, but always consult your local regulations to confirm the correct height for your location. Deviations in height can not only jeopardize usability but also result in fines for non-compliance.
Double doors present specific challenges when it comes to adding panic bars, but they also provide customizable options for secure exits.
Here, each door leaf has its own panic bar, enabling independent operation. This is ideal for allowing maximum flexibility for high-traffic flow areas.
For setups where one door leaf must close before the other, a coordinator system ensures proper alignment and secure latching.
Installing a removable mullion in the center of double doors allows panic bars to function without vertical rod systems, providing additional strength to the assembly.
Panic bars are more than just a regulatory requirement for commercial and public buildings; they’re an investment in safety and security for everyone who passes through your doors.
By choosing the right panic bar exit device and corresponding hardware and locking systems, you create not only seamless functionality but also peace of mind during emergencies. When properly selected, installed, and maintained, these devices can make the critical difference in the event of a crisis.
Don’t hesitate—make your building safer today with high-quality panic bars that meet both compliance and your unique operational needs.
