Why Panic Bars Are Essential for Commercial Properties
Panic bars are widely used by commercial properties all over Shelby, North Carolina to increase the safety of their establishments. Why are panic bars so common, what makes them effective, and how did they come to be created? This article aims to give you all the information you need to determine whether having panic bars installed or your current ones upgraded would be an appropriate choice for your commercial property. While they are used frequently on a daily basis by thousands of people across the state, not many people are away of how panic bars came into being and why they’re so important for safety.
What Is a Panic Bar?
Whether you’ve heard the term or not before, you’ve probably seen and used panic bars on many occasions. A panic bar (also known as a “crash bar”) is a type of door opening mechanism that opens the door when someone pushes on it. It looks like a flat metal bar and is horizontally affixed across the door on the inside. Applying pressure to the panic bar allows for the free flow of traffic through the door on a regular basis and during an emergency. Panic bars work via a spring-loaded mechanism that is connected across the center of the door.
The purpose of a panic bar is to allow for an unencumbered exit for anyone who needs to get through the door, especially during an emergency, such as a fire. Panic bars are so commonly found that most people think of them as a standard on doors in commercial properties. In fact, most building fire codes require all exit doors that are operated by staff and customers on a regular basis be outfitted with panic bars or similar hardware.
History of Panic Bars
Panic bars have a tragic history that led to their creation. One of the main causes was a massive fire at Chicago’s Iroquois Theater that caused the deaths of 603 people. The fire started when one of the curtains caught on fire and spread quickly. Most of the theater’s exit doors had European-style locks that were difficult to operate. As people panicked and tried to flee the building, many were crushed up against the doors and walls.
This tragedy among several others of the time led to the creation of the first panic bar by Carl Prinzler. The device was refined and modified over the years through many different versions until it became what it is today. Since the adoption of panic bars, millions of lives have been saved. Panic bars are an extremely important part of an overall emergency safety plan for commercial properties of certain occupancies.
Panic bars are so widespread because they are effective without being expensive to install or complicated. Panic bars can be simply installed by a professional on most types of commercial exit doors. This simple addition to your business’s security can greatly increase the safety of your building. If a fire or another emergency breaks out inside, it’s crucial that your employees and customers be able to exit the building as fast as possible. Panic bars allow people to exit the building swiftly without the extra delay of turning a handle or lever. While it may seem like a small change, in an emergency, it could make all the difference toward saving lives and preventing injuries.
Why Panic Bars Are Important
Why are panic bars so essential? When an emergency breaks out, people tend to instinctively panic. Without an easy exit, people can become trapped, and not only at risk from the original source of the emergency, but also of being trampled or crushed. Due to the nature of human physiology, they tend to panic when the “flight or fight” instinct kicks in. That’s where panic bars derive their name—from the panic and fear that can lead to the need to exit from a building quickly during an emergency.
Another factor that not many people are aware of is that when an emergency occurs, people need to be able to see that others are getting out of the building swiftly in front of them. Psychologically, if they see that other people are having difficulty leaving the building, they assume that they too will have difficulty with getting out, which can cause panic to increase and the situation to escalate.
Panic bars can be a helpful overall part of a commercial property’s emergency preparations, along with fire exits, an alert system, and an emergency action plan. Some of these requirements are part of the local building fire codes and some are additional measures that you. A security professional, such as an experienced locksmith, can assist you in determining the proper installations for meeting your local fire code, as they keep abreast of all of the latest changes and requirements.
Locksmith Panic Bar Installation
If you need panic bars installed or replaced on your commercial property in Shelby, NC, where should you turn? Some professional locksmith companies, such as Shelby Locksmith, provide this service at an affordable cost, sometimes with same-day service. Whether your panic bars are beginning to wear down and need to be replaced, or you need panic bars installed on your brand new building’s doors, a locksmith is the best place to turn. Locksmiths can also help you determine other smart upgrades to increase the security of your business. If the occupancy of your building is more than 5-10 people at any time, consider installing panic bars on all of you outward-opening exterior doors.
Any door that is used as an exit, especially a primary exit for an area, should be equipped with a panic bar to allow it to open freely. There’s not just one form of panic bar anymore, either. A locksmith can help you choose from the latest options to custom-fit your commercial property. Innovations such as emergency alarm technology, key bypass, and micro panic bars are available. Call your local locksmith company today to determine the best course of action to make your commercial property safer.