You have likely seen a type of door handle that is used in commercial buildings known as a panic bar. Panic bars may also be referred to as crash bars or exit devices. These devices sit horizontally across the interior of a building door and are usually made of some sort of metal or steel. When the bar is pushed, this simple action is enough to open the door. Originally, panic bars were invented for safety purposes, but they may also be outfitted on the interior of building doors regardless of space or occupancy concerns.
Panic bars have an unfortunate history for why they are currently in use today. Back in the late 1800s, in Sunderland, England, a disaster known as the Victoria Hall Disaster forever changed building code and safety regulations as we know them. After a failed evacuation on that fateful day in 1883, 183 children lost their lives. The British government almost immediately started creating provisions that would regulate building safety standards and prevent future disasters.
The United States experienced its own disaster that led to a revolution in building safety standards and codes. Just 20 years after the Sunderland disaster in 1903 in Chicago, 602 people perished after a fire at the Iroquois Theatre. Iron gates blocked available exits at the time, leaving everyone trapped inside. Again in 1908, the Collinwood School fire in Ohio claimed the lives of 174 people, ultimately leading to national outrage over building safety and fire code standards. Now, panic bars are required for buildings with certain occupancy capacities, along with a certain number of open and accessible exit routes at all times.
These three disasters highlight the need for panic bars and proper exit devices. Panic bars prevent the crowding that occurs when swarms of people are attempting to exit a given area quickly. Whether mass exits are needed due to a fire, intrusion of some sort, or other disaster, panic bars ultimately help save lives. Panic bars are also less likely to jam compared to traditional locks and they are more resilient to damage and other issues.
Certain states may have slightly different or modified requirements for businesses and commercial buildings when it comes to panic bars and other devices. For the most part, however, national and international safety requirements will be relevant and cover the majority of safety measures needed to protect customers, employees, and other occupants of a given building.
Occupancy is the primary factor that dictates whether or not a business needs panic bars on their doors. In general, International Building Code states that any building with an occupancy load of 50 or more people, panic bars must be present. This is a general estimate, since the square footage of a building and the number of exits present may change whether or not panic bars are needed. The best thing you can do to make sure your building is up to code is to consult with a local locksmith in your area, in addition to any relevant safety manuals relevant to your business.
Apart from occupancy, certain buildings that oversee or work hazardous materials will likely need panic bars for exit doors. National Electrical Code requirements also mandate that any buildings that house battery rooms, equipment over 600 volts, and equipment with less than 600 volts but more than 800 amps, have panic bars on the exit doors. Typically, regardless of the size of the space where hazardous materials are being stored or handled, panic bars should always be installed for the protection of the employees and those inside.
When panic bars are installed on exit doors in business buildings, there are other requirements that need to be followed in order to pass inspections. First, be sure that no other lock is installed on the door in conjunction with the panic bar. This would include deadbolt locks, knob, locks, and even a chain or latch lock. Having an additional lock on the door may prevent the panic device from working properly, especially in an emergency. The only exception to this rule would be some sort of delayed or controlled egress device, or sensor controlled electromagnetic lock.
Some businesses will need to consider their location and local climate when it comes to their panic bar installations. Hurricane and tornado regulations may apply in your area. These codes can change the number of occupants needed before panic bars are required or mandate additional safety measures. Always be sure to check the safety standards that are applicable to your business and the area in which it is located. Panic bars help save countless lives every year and you do not want to skip out on making sure that, in the event of an emergency, your workers and customers are protected.
Always remember to work with a locksmith in your area that has prior experience with installing panic bars if you need these devices installed. Professional locksmiths are familiar with the laws and regulations surrounding panic bars and will be able to provide proper installations. For any other security needs you may have, especially when it comes to businesses and commercial properties, hiring a professional locksmith is the only way to go. The safety of your assets, employees, and customers will depend on the quality of your security, so always make sure to work with a locksmith no matter what.
Redan Reliable Locksmith serves businesses in and around Redan, Georgia 24-hours a day. If you need panic bar installations, business lock repairs, or other security and safety upgrades for your business, you can always trust our locksmiths. We not only service business lock and key needs, but can also help with residential and automotive locksmithing requests, too. Our locksmiths promise to provide prompt, professional, and affordable locksmithing services 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Make Redan Reliable Locksmith your go-to locksmith for all of your residential, automotive, and commercial locksmithing requests.
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