In order to keep your commercial business secured and easy to exit in case of an emergency, you need to make sure that your doors feature panic bars for exiting. Panic bars, also known as push bars or crash bars, are door handles that permit the quick opening of a door in an emergency. The mechanism features a metal spring-loaded bar that is horizontally affixed to the inside of a door. When the lever is depressed, the mechanism unlatches the door so that people can go outside.
A commercial locksmith in Chicago installs panic bars for emergency exiting as well as for everyday use. The existing regulations in a commercial building are set by the local fire department or fire marshal and the local building code. In addition, some municipalities require the use of a panic bar when occupancy is deemed hazardous. Therefore, the bars may be used in chemical storage facilities, for instance.
Panic Bar Installation
A commercial locksmith can install a panic bar on a double or single door made of steel, aluminum, wood, or glass. Usually, a door that features a panic door can only be opened from within a building. However, if the bar is used on a two-way door, then a different kind of handle must be attached on the outside of the door.
A Legal Requirement
Commercial locksmith professionals state that panic bars are legally required on all emergency and fire exits. As a result, a panic bar installed on a fire-rated door must be able to withstand high incendiary temperatures and must latch whenever the door shuts.
A panic bar on a non-fire door may be unlocked temporarily by using an accessory known as a dog down key. When the door is unlocked, then it can be opened by pushing or pulling it versus pressing down on the bar alone.
Panic bar are also installed on decorative gates, especially in large open-air venues such as stadiums. Installation can be facilitated by a locksmith in a short manner of time. To learn more about the different types of commercial hardware and locks, visit website online.
