Panic bars, or crash bars as they are sometimes called, are handle devices placed on commercial business doors that help increase overall safety. While they may not seem like much, panic bars are actually critical for high-occupancy buildings and other types of businesses to have in place in the event of certain emergencies and evacuations. Keep reading to find out more about how panic bars operate, as well as the history behind why panic bars are mandated by law in order to business workers and customers safe.
How Panic Bars Work
You have likely seen and used panic bars before, even if you did not know their name until now. Panic bars come in a lot of different varieties and finishes, but typically consist of a metal bar that sits horizontally across a door on the interior side. All one has to do in order to exit a building that has panic bars is push the bar into the door.
Panic bars are most often seen on public entrance and exit doors of certain buildings, as well as emergency or fire exits. Some are able to be programmed to sound when pushed, as in the case with a fire exit in which one may want the fire alarm to sound if a fire exit is ever used. With lots of versatility and the ability to connect alarm systems to panic bar devices, there are no excuses for businesses to not use panic bars. Besides, panic bars are required by law and for good reason. Most businesses may need to have at least a few sets of panic bars in place, depending on the size and nature of their business.
A Tragic History Leads to Increased Safety Standards
There are several unfortunate instances that occurred that led to the legal requirement of panic bars. As a direct result of building safety lapses that caused the deaths of hundreds and hundreds of people in the late 1800s to early 1900s, lawful action was taken to ensure that such instances never happened again.
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