Panic Bars and Exit Devices

Exit devices, commonly referred to as panic bars, crash bars, or push bars, are a type of door hardware used primarily for emergency egress. They allow doors to be easily opened from the inside by applying force to a bar or a push pad that spans a significant portion of the door's width. This mechanism ensures that in the event of an emergency, occupants can exit quickly and safely without needing to operate knobs, levers, or any locking mechanism that requires prior knowledge to operate.

Where Are Exit Devices Required?

Exit devices facilitate emergency egress by enabling doors to be easily opened from the inside. They are essential in various settings, mandated by occupancy types, the number of occupants, and adherence to local or international building codes, including the International Building Code (IBC) and the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101). These regulations require exit devices in commercial and public buildings, high-occupancy residential buildings, assembly areas, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and industrial or high-hazard areas to enhance public safety by ensuring unimpeded egress during emergencies.

Fire-Rated vs. Non-fire-Rated Devices: When purchasing exit devices, it is important to distinguish between fire-rated and non-fire-rated options. Fire-rated devices are needed for doors that are part of a fire barrier or exit route, designed to remain locked but allow prompt exit, thus containing smoke and fire. However, non-fire-rated devices may have a hex or cylinder dogging function in less critical areas for convenience. Fire-rated doors shall be self-closing and self-latching according to NFPA 80.  

Electrified Exit Devices: They are fail-safe (unlock during power outages) or fail-secure (remain locked during power outages) reflecting the need for tailored security and safety solutions based on the building's specific requirements.

Mechanical Exit Devices: They enable doors to open without keys or electronic tools, underscoring the evolution of safety regulations. These devices, equipped with an internal release bar for immediate unlocking, cater to various safety needs and door designs, demonstrating a proactive approach to emergency preparedness.

Choose Panic Bars and Exit Devices from Top US Brands

We offer a comprehensive selection of panic bars and exit devices from top manufacturers like Von Duprin, Falcon, Sargent, and Corbin Russwin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Fire-rated door units have to be self-closing and self-latching so you cannot hex dog, cylinder dog or dog down a fire rated exit device. Nonfire-rated exit devices on the other hand can be dogged down because they do not have to be self-latching.

RX (request to exit) Signal Switch feature is used to signal the use of an opening from the push side. When the push pad is depressed, the switch is activated. These devices are equipped with an internal SPDT (single pole double throw) switch that monitors the touch bar.

Exit device dogging is when a dogging key is used on the exit device to hold the latch bolt in its retracted state. When the latch bolt is retracted, the door can be opened by being pushed or pulled from anywhere. You will not need to depress the touch bar to open the door or turn a handle and can open it non-handed. Check your specific device's instructions, but you can often find the dogging screw in the center of the push bar. You will need a dogging key to turn this screw and retract the latch.

Panic bars consist of a flat, horizontal bar attached to the inside of an outward-opening door. This flat bar retracts a latch mechanism when pushed, unlocking the door for fast exit. Doors using a classic crash bar require no knowledge or keys to operate and are ADA-compliant for handicapped usage.

A panic bar, sometimes referred to as a crash bar or panic device, is used for quickly unlocking a door during an emergency situation. Designed for life safety compliance, the mechanism consists of a spring-loaded metal bar fixed horizontally to the inside of an egress-opening door. They require no previous knowledge to operate and can even be opened by users with limited mobility that may have a hard time using a traditional style door handle.

Narrow stile panic bars/exit devices are full glass doors or mounting when the space on the rails is limited. In most cases, the rails of the door would be less than 4" but differ pending on the make and model of the manufacturer.