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Do you have a public commercial building of any kind? Then you’re probably aware that “panic hardware” is required at your facility to provide proper egress and ingress in case of emergency. A panic bar is the push bar that you must install on each exit door, which allows people to leave quickly. There also must be an unobstructed and uninterrupted departure path leading to a place of safety. These doors are frequently necessary in malls, restaurants, bars, and other public places including schools. It is vitally important that you obey the law when it comes to protecting your commercial property’s occupants, because if you’re not up to code, you won’t pass inspection and you’ll be shut down. When you install these essential devices, you’ll be safeguarding the life and safety of every occupant ~ personnel, visitor, and customer alike.
The International Fire Code (IFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Code, and the International Building Code (IBC) are the most common building and fire safety codes in the United States. You’ll need to determine which code, and which edition of that code, applies to your particular building. Local codes in your area may oblige you to adhere to some additional requirements. Be sure you’re fully compliant.
Panic hardware consists of a latching device, with a crossbar or touchpad spanning across at least half the door’s width, which releases the latch when pushed. Panic hardware may also be called a “crash bar” or an “exit device”; for fire doors, it’s referred to as “fire exit hardware.” This specialized hardware is used where it’s required by code to make it possible for large numbers of people to get out in a hurry. It also provides increased dependability and resilience.
In terms of vehicles…
The requirements affect doors that either latch or lock. For example, panic hardware isn’t necessary on a free-swinging door with only a push plate and pull handle. Panic hardware is required by code for only specific occupancy types. Generally, a property designated as “assembly occupancy” is a building or space where big groups gather, such as a gym, stadium, or theater. An “educational occupancy” facility refers to a school for children up to the twelfth grade. A building used for college classrooms is considered “business occupancy”; some college classrooms are large enough to be classified as assembly occupancy. The NFPA 101 Code includes a separate occupancy classification for “daycare occupancy,” a place where daycare is provided to children or adults. A “high-hazard occupancy” (any area containing a high level of hazardous materials) is a place vulnerable to explosions.
Anytime you install panic hardware on balanced doors, a touchpad-style device must be used, and the touchpad shouldn’t extend more than halfway across the door. Normally, code requirements prohibit the installation of any other kind of lock on a door with panic hardware, except for electromagnetic locks released by a switch or sensor. The bottom line is that, at all times, any individual who has to get out must be able to open an exit route door from the inside ~ without having to use any keys or tools, and without possessing any type of specialized information.
Installed on doors that open to the outside, panic bars come in several styles. Most come equipped with an alarm, which prevents anyone exiting from avoiding paying a tab or leaving with stolen items. Constructed horizontally or vertically, all panic bar door openers operate the same way: The door opens when the bar is pushed. The exact number of exit doors, and the style guidelines you’re required to follow will depend on the height, size, and type of your building, as well as its purpose and occupancy level.
Panic bars are made to prevent entry from the opposite side of the door. On the inner side, they ensure a hasty exit in an emergency. A panic bar locking only from the outside is permitted on an exit discharge door. Usually, rooms that have electrical equipment must include panic hardware or fire exit hardware that allows a professional technician to escape if there’s a fire or explosion.
There are various kinds of panic hardware. Rim devices can be easily installed, and require minimal maintenance. The panic hardware with surface vertical rods is harder to install, so you should hire only a reputable professional. There is also a panic bar with a concealed vertical rod, which is more expensive and also a bit more difficult to install. How do you decide? You’ll need to choose the right panic bar for each door, based on your building’s parameters as we’ve discussed.
The push pad on any panic bar must be at least half the width of the door. When installing a panic device, follow the template included with the bar’s packaging to mark the door to see where to place it. The template will show you where to drill the holes and where to mount the hardware. Ordinarily, the center of the panic bar’s push pad should be at a standard height of 41” above the floor. This may vary in daycare facilities and schools. When attaching the panic bar to the door, only use the screws that were included in the packaging, so you won’t void the warranty. While installing the panic bar, test the push pad to make sure it’s fully functional.
Because most people have trouble concentrating when they find themselves in a crisis, it’s critical that you install your panic bars correctly to avoid mishaps. Follow all regulations, and routinely maintain these essential doors, because properly installed panic hardware that continues to function smoothly will make a great difference in life-or-death situations. It’s really best to hire a local professional.
