If you are searching for advanced security features, or just additional ones for your property, then you might come across panic bars, especially if you own or manage a commercial property. So you’re probably wondering – what exactly is a panic bar? Is it important to have? How can it help my business? We are here to answer your questions because we have worked with this security feature many times. It’s very important for commercial properties. Depending on certain circumstances, it might even be the law. We will start with the basics, and go over what panic bars are, how they work and why you need them for your commercial property. 

Panic Bar: An Important Security Measure

Panic bars are handles that you might have noticed before – you will see that they run horizontally across doors, and they are located in a spot that is easy to reach. They are used to get out of a property fast, and they allow people to avoid having to fumble with door knobs. A panic bar goes by different names, like exit device, crash bar, push bar and panic device. It enables a door to open to the outside of a property, or to a property’s exterior. Business owners have them so that customers can avoid trampling one another in the unfortunate event of an emergency. And since they open in an outward direction, you don’t have to worry about them being utilized to break into your property. 

Here, we will discuss when you might find panic devices. Now, if your property holds a certain number of people, you might be obligated to have one of these. 

When Does A Business Need a Panic Device? 

It’s easy to overlook panic bars. You have probably seen them many times before but just looked right through them. After all, unless you have ever noticeably benefited from using one, you are going to come across them all the time and simply not think much about it. If you are keeping your eyes open, though, you’ll see them in doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, movie theaters, retail stores and so on. You will see them everywhere! Now that you know what they are and where you might find them, you are going to start noticing them all over the place.  

A panic bar, in an emergency situation that mandates fast evacuation, is a key feature that is very important and can save lives. Unfortunately, the need for them sparked because of tragic situations. You might remember back in the early 1900’s in Chicago, many people were killed in a theater fire because they did not have a way of getting that many people out quickly. This is not something you would ever want on your shoulders, and of course it wasn’t deliberate or intentional – it was a complete accident, and people simply didn’t realize that it could happen. Panic bars could have saved lives in this situation, and in other similar situations.  

Panic bars ensure that a commercial building can be exited fast and proficiently, which is something that is absolutely essential in the event of an emergency like a fire. You have to take measures to protect your customers and employees. In addition, having a panic device installed might allow you to take advantage of lower insurance rates. This is always helpful, because let’s face it – insurance costs can be through the roof depending on the kind of coverage you have and where you are located. If certain security solutions allow you to see lower rates, why wouldn’t you take advantage? 

Not yet convinced? 

Panic devices allow for easier evacuation in case of the need to get out fast. They offer safety to persons entering a building in the event that they need to leave, affordability to those who have them, competence and sometimes decreased insurance rates. Panic bars can even be linked to alarms, which can be very beneficial if someone is attempting to break into your property.  

Panic devices provide the safety and security that you are looking for. Some panic devices have keypad access. If you’re looking for tech-savvy solutions, look into this. 

It is very easy to see the significance of push bars. It is also very important that you care about your property and the people who enter it and want to protect them – when it comes to accomplishing your goals, a locksmith will be happy to oblige. 

Panic devices might be the law as previously discussed, depending on some of the specifics of your commercial property. If you are searching for advanced security features, or just additional ones for your commercial property, then you should definitely know about panic bars. Push bars are so important when it comes to commercial buildings.