Panic Door Hardware 101: Everything You Need to Know - Security Experts in Greeley and Loveland, Colorado

Make emergency management hassle-free with panic bars

No matter which kind of building you own, it is important to stay prepared for emergencies. Accidents can happen without a moment’s notice, which can lead to tragedy without the right precautions.

Installing panic door hardware is one of the best ways to ensure building safety. Panic hardware, or panic doors, allow people to safely exit from a building during an emergency.

Read on to learn more about panic bars and how they can address safety concerns at your building in Greeley, CO.

How Does a Panic Bar Work?

Panic bars are a type of door hardware that allows people to easily exit through doors during emergencies. It is a device that latches onto doors and can open them easily without requiring a key.

A spring-loaded bar is mostly placed horizontally onto the doors. These bars are installed on the interior side of the door, allowing people to exit freely with a push of the bar without requiring any complicated actions, such as twisting, turning, etc.

Where Are Panic Bars Used?

Panic hardware commonly installed in buildings due to its ease-of-use. More specifically, per building safety codes, you must install panic bars in the following places:

Schools, nurseries, child-care facilities, and all educational institutions with a capacity of over 50 people
All buildings with over 100 people
High-risk service areas that contain hazardous electrical equipment

Types of Panic Bars

Now that you know what panic bars are and where the hardware is supposed to be used, let’s look at the different types of panic bars used in commercial buildings:

Vertical Rod Panic Bars

Vertical rod panic bars are no different in appearance than horizontal bars. Only in this case, the locking mechanism is placed at the top as well as the bottom of the door. Once the bar is pressed, the doors quickly open.

Concealed Rod Panic Bars

Concealed rod panic bars are also vertical door hardware. These are typically used for aluminum doors, as they are perfect for attaching to hollow bodies. All the door hardware is concealed internally.

Side Latch Panic Bars

Side latch panic bars do not have vertical rods. In this case, heavy-duty latches are used. The door frame contains a strike plate; the latch locks into place on this plate to open the door. Equip your building with panic door hardware to make emergency management smooth and panic-free. Our professional team has been serving clients in Greeley, CO, for over 40 years, making us the most trusted integrator in town. Get started on your project today by giving us a call at 970-353-7880 or filling out our contact form. We would love to hear from you!