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Have you been thinking of adding panic bars to your commercial store or building? Maybe you are interested in them because you’ve heard good things about them. Or, you might be required by your fire code or property manager to have them installed. Either way, you are in for a pleasant surprise; panic bars have many advantages and benefits with no obvious drawbacks. Here in Racine, WI many hundreds of local businesses and institutional locations use them with great success. Read on and see how installing panic bars at your firm may be a good thing!
We’ve all seen and used them; some people just didn’t know their name! Panic bars are also called push bars, crash bars and exit devices. This is because they are horizontal, spring loaded bars attached to back doors that allow users to push on them and simultaneously unlock and open the door without any hassle or effort at all.
If you’ll notice; panic bars are always installed on one-way doors. This is by design. People can’t exit safely or rapidly if they are dodging folks coming the other way. In almost all cases, the outside of the door with the panic bar on the inside does not have a door knob! It may have a lock on it but no handle or knob to grasp or turn. This is so that people leaving have one easy thing to do; lean on the panic bar and walk out the door!
Much like buying a new car and suddenly noticing the same make and model everywhere you look, you’ll start to notice panic bars wherever you go. This is a good thing; you’ll appreciate this useful tool and the numerous lives it has saved over the years.
Do you know why it is illegal to yell “fire” in a crowded theater? Of course you do; people would panic and stampede each other in an effort to get out the door…but what about when this really happens? The problem may be a fire or a water leak. It could be a person acting deranged or an armed assailant. Anytime people feel the need to leave in a hurry there can be problems evacuating the premises. Panic bars help them do this faster, easier, and with less steps involved.
Maybe you do. Sometimes having panic bars installed is a requirement according to building or fire codes. To be sure, check with your fire department, property manager, architect or builder of your development. Each locale is different and you’ll want to be sure.
Anything mechanical will malfunction eventually. Panic bars are no different. They can become jammed or stuck in the locked or unlocked position. If this happens, it may prevent you from closing your doors for the night as it will be hard to “lock up” with your back door unable to lock. There are some useful remedies that can help you fix the problem yourself or you can contact your commercial locksmith of choice and they can unlock your panic bar so that it is usable and safe to use once more. Be sure and save your owner’s manual and model number in case you want to do your own servicing.
You can purchase panic bars online or in local stores. You can have your builder or local contractor install them for you or you can buy from them, as well. Our recommendation is that you buy from a commercial locksmith and have them do the installation and service if, it is ever needed.
Panic bars are a vital part of your building and should be treated as an integral part of your business equipment. As such it is worth the investment in quality materials and service and in many cases, you can write off purchase, service, installation and care as a tax expense. Be sure to check with your tax professional for the details and documentation needed.
A commercial locksmith will have better access to a greater number of panic bar brands and models, and will be able to provide on-site installation as well as 24-hour emergency care for it if and when it is needed.
You can also purchase your panic bars from local home improvement stores, hardware stores and from national chains like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, and Ace Hardware. The problem with doing all of this yourself is that you are having to shop, investigate, install and maintain your panic bars, all on your own. As a business owner or operator, your time is better spent actually running your company and increasing sales or service and not doing mundane, do-it-yourself projects that you are not specialized in.
As with anything new, questions will come up. Another drawback to adding panic bars on your own is that you virtually have no one to answer them for you. Sure, you can ask around but are the answers truthful and accurate? Why not use a commercial locksmith and have fast and honest answers to your panic bar questions and problems at a moment’s notice? For instance, you cannot install a deadbolt lock in addition to a panic bar.
Panic bars are meant to be opened quickly and easily and having to work a deadbolt lock in addition can be against building codes and a safety hazard. Your locksmith will be able to advise you on issues and questions like these anytime they arise.