Fast Pro Locksmith, LLC: Panic Bars – Importance in Commercial Properties

Have you put much thought into panic bars? If so, you might realize they are the handles which run horizontal across doors. You’ll associate them with exiting a property. Basically, a panic bar or a crash bar is a handle that goes on a door that would be used in the event that a quick exit is needed. Some refer to panic bars as exit devices and push bars, too. They are important for preventing trampling during a fire. They are important for allowing your customers and employees to get out safely. You don’t have to worry about someone using them to break in, because they go on exit doors that open in an outward direction. Basically, you can’t use them to get inside a building, just to get out. 

Where You Might See Panic Bars

If you have seen a panic bar, you might have looked right over it and not thought much about it. But if you did see one and notice it, likely it was in a commercial building, like a doctor’s office, movie theatre or something similar. They go in buildings that hold many people inside. You might see them at apartment complex leasing offices, hotels, malls and so on, too. Keep in mind that to open a door with a panic bar, you have to press down the handle which releases the lock. Panic bars get connected to alarms in many cases which means unauthorized activity is able to be detected.

Panic bars are important and because of their significance, you are going to want to know that it is installed properly. The best way to do to this is to call a locksmith. You can contact a licensed locksmith like Fast Pro Locksmith, LLC in Philadelphia, PA if you manage or are responsible for a building in the area, and you will surely end up with results you are happy with. 

Panic bars are tremendously important. When a venue, whether it’s a movie theatre or even a large office, holds a huge number of people, it becomes a fire hazard and dangerous in the event that a fast exit plan is needed. Unanticipated emergencies and other situations can occur which can lead to the need for an emergency evacuation. A panic bar can save lives in a case like this. Although the chances of a door being out of order altogether are slim, you want to make sure that your panic bar is properly installed and works correctly. Imagine this scenario – you don’t have a panic bar and you need to get out of your building fast, as do many other people. Fumbling around with a door knob is a recipe for disaster and can lead to trampling. Panic bars ensure that a commercial building or venue is exited efficiently without doors becoming stuck or unable to be opened fast enough due to crowds of people swarming in order to get out. Push bars tend to be installed on wide doors, as a bonus for getting out with ease. 

Not Sold on Panic Bars? Keep Reading…

Panic or push bars are usually only installed on some doors and this allows for easier evacuation in the sense that people who work at the building will know where to direct those who need to get out fast. If you have noticed panic bars, likely you saw them in a commercial building, such as a doctor’s office, movie theatre or a similar building. They go in buildings where there are a large number of persons inside, to include apartment complex leasing offices, motels and hotels, shopping malls, etc. Bear in mind, that to open a door with a panic bar, a handle has to be pressed down which releases the lock. Panic bars can also be hooked to alarms in many cases which means unlawful activity is able to be detected.

Panic bars do not necessitate separate alarm systems since they are only utilized in the event of emergencies. They offer supplementary security in terms of alarms, as previously mentioned, but they also offer safety in terms of a locked door. Again, push bars can only be accessed from the inside, so no one can open these doors from the outside. 

Some panic devices have keypad access which many see as an additional benefit. How could this benefit you? Let’s say you need to open the door during some sort of contingency – certain people would be able to unlock the door.

It is clear to see the importance of push bars. Insurance claims can in some cases also be easier to make because of having a protection mechanism in place. This is something to ask an expert about. In some cases, you’ll get lower rates. But again, it’s important to make sure everything is properly installed and stays maintained. 

Panic devices can also be the law. If your property is one that holds a large amount of people, whether employees, customers or both, there are laws in place stating that an emergency exit mechanism must exist. Panic bars can qualify as emergency exit mechanisms. Just make sure that when you do have a panic bar you are having it kept maintained. This way, if something goes wrong, it is not on your shoulders because you did everything you were supposed to do. 

Push bars are a crucial component when it comes to commercial buildings and protecting those insides, as they are reassuring to the occupants or to those who visit the building, but they also offer a sense of security to the owner of the property. Panic devices/crash bars provide a fast, simple, safe, and efficient method of exit which is incredibly important, and if you’ve ever faced an emergency that required getting out fast, you know this. Just make sure to have it installed by a locksmith that you know is affordable, reliable, licensed and insured. Hopefully you now have a better idea of how panic bars work and why they are so important for commercial properties.