Many public buildings, such as restaurants, stores, hospitals, movie theaters, nursing homes, and schools, have panic bars on doors leading to the outside of the building. A panic bar is a horizontal or vertical bar that a person can press to unlock a door and quickly exit a building in the event of an emergency. Panic bars are also sometimes called exit devices, panic hardware, push bars, and crash bars. All of these terms refer to the same thing.

Why You Should Install a Panic Bar in Your Building

Installing panic bars allows people to quickly and easily exit a building during an emergency, such as a fire. This is important because some people, such as those who are disabled or who have arthritis, may be unable to turn a doorknob to open a door in an emergency. A panic bar is easy for anyone to push by leaning against it.

Panic bars are required by law in many facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes. Many cities and states require them in schools and government buildings. They are also typically found in commercial buildings and restaurants.

Many panic bars have security and electronic features, such as high-decibel alarms that can stop people from leaving through the emergency exit and can alert the owner or manager if the door is opened. Alarms can be helpful in places like stores and restaurants to deter theft or leaving without paying the check.

How to Choose the Right Panic Bar

Panic bars can be installed on doors with wood, metal, or aluminum frames. A fire-rated door should have a fire-rated panic bar. Many interior doors are fire-rated, and many exterior doors are not.

Panic bars are available in a variety of styles and prices to match your company’s budget. The number and type of panic bars you will need will depend on the size and layout of your building, the number of stories, and the maximum occupancy.

Why You Should Have a Panic Bar Professionally Installed

While it is possible to order a panic bar and install it yourself, we at All American Locksmiths strongly discourage this. If it is installed incorrectly, people may be unable to leave the building in the event of a fire or another emergency, and lives could potentially be endangered. All American Locksmiths can install a panic bar correctly so it will work when it is needed.

Don’t worry about whether you’re “too far” for us. We service all of Connecticut and Westchester, New York. We travel up and down I-95, I-91, Route 8, and the Merritt Parkway all day long. Guess what? We wouldn’t change it for the world! We love installing panic bars for Connecticut and New York businesses. We take great pride and satisfaction in knowing that our work could save the lives of your friends, family, and customers in the event of an emergency. With this said, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Greenwich, Stamford, Fairfield, Milford, New Haven, West Haven, or Hartford–if you’re interested in a panic bar for your business, then contact us today.