Panic bars and exit devices are necessary security accessories on a large variety of commercial doors. Such devices enable a quick and smooth exit by pushing a horizontal bar regardless of whether there is an emergency and the presence of crowds, smoke, darkness, or confusion makes operating a regular lock impossible.

Such accessories are usually fitted on the doors of such facilities as schools, offices, shopping malls, restaurants, movie theaters, warehouses, hospitals and other establishments where there might be people.

Installation and maintenance are significant as the exit device needs to secure the property from outside while providing reliable way to exit from inside.

How Emergency Exit Devices Work?

The panic bar extends across the interior side of a door. By pushing the bar the latch will retract and release the door.

As the user does not need to rotate a knob, enter a code or find a key it is possible to exit quickly. This is particularly valuable if there are several people who try to exit at once.

There are two types of the panic devices, the full width bar and touchpad device, the type to choose depends on the door and other specifics.

Commercial Exit Devices Types

Rim exit devices are placed on the surface of a door and use a latch which is engaged into a strike in the door frame. Rim exit devices are commonly used on single doors.

The vertical rod devices are used to secure the door by the top and sometimes by the bottom of the door. They are mostly used on double doors.

Mortise exit devices use lock body installed inside the door. Mortise exit devices might be needed on some types of commercial doors.

Fire rated exit devices are used on fire doors. These devices are subject to particular requirements and cannot be equipped with incompatible hardware features.

Installing Panic Bar

Installation of the exit device requires proper measurement and mounting of the bar, latch and strike. The locksmith should place the bar at a proper height, mount the latch and strike and ensure that it will open the door with appropriate pressure.

It is also necessary to adjust the door closer in a way that would make the door latch correctly and not slam. In case the double door system is used coordinators or special hardware might be needed.

An incorrect installation will lead to the fact that the door will remain unlocked, won’t latch or will be hard to open.

A commercial locksmith also needs to ensure that the selected hardware is compatible with the door.

Problems with Panic Bars

Exit devices become worn out due to heavy usage, malfunction, dirt, corrosion or door misalignment. Common problems include the loosened bar, sticking latch, door which doesn’t latch, broken strike and device which requires much pressure to operate.

The door will fail to latch if the hinges have been shifted or the door frame has been moved. In this case replacing the panic bar without aligning the door might not help.

In case there are electronic components the problem can be with the electric latch retraction, request to exit sensor or outside credential reader.

Repair or Replacement

There are cases when panic bars and exit devices can be repaired with help of tightening of the hardware, replacing springs, adjusting the latch, realigning the strike or servicing the door closer.

In case the device is very old or outdated, incompatible with the door or impossible to repair because of unavailability of parts replacement might be suggested.

It is forbidden to block, chain or disable an emergency exit door to increase the security level as it may create a hazard. The locksmith can suggest fitting the door with trim, alarmed exit device, delayed egress or access control systems.

Regular Testing and Inspection

It is necessary to test the panic bars regularly. The door should open easily, close fully and latch without any effort.

Employees should notify about such problems as loosened hardware, strange sounds, sticky parts or frequently propped open doors. The route of the exit should be free of boxes or furniture.

The locksmith inspection can reveal the worn components prior to the failure.

Professional Panic Bar Service

The commercial locksmith provides the services of installing, repairing, replacing and maintaining panic bars and exit devices on different kinds of properties.

Reliable exit hardware helps to secure the property while letting employees, customers and guests exit in case of emergency.