If you own and operate any business, industrial operation, school, or public building, you will need to have installed, to confirm to building code requirements, some form of panic or exit device. Also known as push bars, crash bars and emergency exit bars, all are easily operated door or window opening systems, designed to work by means of a push function to allow ease of exit. They are typically installed in fire and emergency exits in most commercial buildings.
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Panic Bar
Sometimes referred to as a panic or crash bar device, enables you to quickly unlock and open a door during an emergency situation. Designed for life saving efficiency, the bar is usually spring loaded fixed horizontally to an outlet door. When the lever is pushed, a mechanism is activated that unlocks the door latch, allowing persons to quickly exit the building.
Exit Bar
An exit bar, or other exit hardware, is usually a locking device which consists of a bar across the inside of a door, similar to the installation of a panic bar, however an exit bar may require a code or a key to exit the building.
Emergency Exit bars door options
For a one way door opening, an exit bar is placed only on the interior side of the door, as this type of door usually only allows for an emergency exit route. For two way doors however, a further opening device, or a handle needs to be mounted, not only on the interior side of the door, but also on the exterior side, to allow possible entrance from the outside, as well as an exit route from the inside.
There are many types of emergency exit bars available for various types of door structure, timber, metal and steel structured doors, with standard basic hand push bars, to the more elaborate, electronically operated systems that make it easier to operate and open a door in an emergency situation. The bars are surface mounted, for double and single door applications, with varying door widths usually from 600mm up to 1200mm wide. Simply by pushing the touch bar, the door will open and provide speedy and safe exit in a panic situation.
A push to exit bar can be mounted into the inside of a door to prevent unauthorised access to the building, performing as a secure lock, whilst still allowing inside users from within the building, emergency exit to the outside. The majority of these emergency exit bars are manufactured from ANSI Grade 1 steel, and can, in most circumstances, be fitted to open with either hand, depending on the hinge arrangements of your door.
Exit bars window options
Sometimes known as window bars, or burglar bars, these are becoming a more common installation as crime increases. More people appear to be afraid of becoming the victim of a crime, rather than a fire, as the very bars that are installed for property protection, are the very same things preventing them from escaping in the event of a fire, to escape the heat of the fire and toxic fumes. The Fire Rescue service often find these obstructions, as many are permanently installed and unable to be opened in the need to escape in an emergency situation. Fire alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms all play a part in the prevention of fire and a safety plan, but are all impractical if the flames and smoke cannot be escaped from.
Doors and windows fitted with security bars should have some sort of quick release device fitted, to allow them to be opened swiftly in case of emergency. This is more essential if the security bars are on a bedroom at the home, where they should have an approved quick release device retro-fitted. These types of emergency exit bars operate from the inside and allow for quick escape, without any compromise to the security of your home. They should be installed without the need for a key, physical effort or in-depth knowledge, for all family members to operate easily.
Installation services
It is recommended that these be installed by service professionals, specialists in home and industrial installations, to put you and your company’s mind at ease. The decision to invest in a cost effective solution is sometimes confusing with the market availability of hardware and systems.