A Brief Introduction to Panic Bars
Panic bars (also known as push bars or crash bars, depending on who you talk to) are a form of exit device that affixes to a commercial door and allows people inside to open the door by pressing down on the bar. Panic bars are horizontal bars that are installed on the interior of a door across the center. They contain a spring mechanism behind the bar so that when the bar itself has pressure applied to it, the door opens. This allows for a quick exit from a building without any limitations, not only increasing the safety of your commercial property but also allowing for greater accessibility for those with physical limitations. Those extra few seconds panic bars allow versus door knobs may not seem like much, but they add up quickly during an emergency.
Different models of panic bars can also have different features. All panic bars have the ability to be locked in the on position so that the door stays open, which can be utilized during high-traffic times for a business. Care must be taken during windy conditions when the door is locked in the open position to prevent it from whipping open or shut and causing damage or injury. Some panic bars have alarm systems affixed to them, while others have the capacity to be connected to a building’s access control system, to alert security if the door is breeched.
The Tragic History Behind Panic Bars
Panic bars work so well not just because of the physical aspect in which they operate, but also the psychology behind humans in a crisis. When faced with an emergency that requires people to quickly evacuate a building, they immediately will head to the exits. They need to see that other people are able to get out of the building without any impediment, or they may begin to panic faster. Panic bars allow a line of people to quickly move, decreasing anxiety and panic. If people see that exit from a building is slow or that there are obstructions preventing others from leaving, they may panic. This is a natural tendency that is built into our basic instincts as animals, and not everyone can override this.
During a situation such as this, stampedes can occur as many people rush to the exit. This is how people can become crushed or trampled during an emergency, which has happened countless times, even in recent years. Panic bars greatly reduce the risk of this happening and therefore are a highly worthy investment.
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