Why You Need Panic Bars

You can’t go anywhere these days and not see panic bars on the doors, schools, hospitals, office buildings, and restaurants. Panic bars are installed as a way to protect people. They serve as a safety feature. They are exit doors that are simply pressed on to let people out in an emergency situation. Panic bars are also referred to as crash bars. These are extremely important during a emergency situation. Panic bars have been very instrumental in saving lives, which is why they were designed in the first place. Before they were invented, there were many tragic instances that caused people to become trapped and lose their lives. They are designed with a spring-loaded bar that is installed horizontally across the front of the door. When the bar is pressed on, it releases the latch and opens the door. You are able to quickly move out of the building without falling over each other and without anyone losing their life.

The reason that they are installed in large buildings where there is a lot of foot traffic is so that they can get large numbers of people out quickly. When there is an emergency situation, things can get out of hand quickly. When people feel trapped they tend to panic, which contributes to the emergency situation. Without an adequate way to get people in and out of your property, it could easily result in the loss of life. When there is a panic bar you can get people out swiftly and orderly. Everyone moves in one direction, as the door only opens in one direction, out. This means that no one can come in from the outside and obstruct the movement of others. If you are a business owner, just think about the guilt that you would have to live with if your oversight resulted in loss of lives.

Panic bars were designed after 180 children died because they couldn’t safely get out of a building. Also, in the early 1900s 600 people were killed due a fire in a theater because they couldn’t safely escape. The continued loss of life struck a cord with people and someone decided that enough was enough an that is when the invention of the panic bar came into existence.

These are the advantages of a panic bar, spelled out in precisely so that you can see how you and others are able to benefit from it.

• Effective – There is no denying that they are effective, which is why in some cases, OSHA has even made it mandatory for some facilities to have them installed. Check with your municipality to determine if your business is required to have a panic bar.
• Safety – The main purpose of panic bars is to save lives. It enables you to effectively evacuate anyone inside your business during an emergency situation. They are installed inside the door so that no one is capable of getting inside from the other side. This enables the movement of people to occur without interruption from outside. Some of the panic bars have alarms on them that will sound an alert if someone has tried to gain access from the outside. Qualified locksmiths should install your panic bar to ensure that it is properly installed.
• Options – There are several options that you will be able to choose from when you decide to have a panic bar installed. Some have alarms that will sound once someone attempts to gain access inside who has not been authorized to do so. Some have cross bars and vertical bars. They are offered in different sizes and at different prices. We are sure that with the right locksmith company assisting you, they will be able to assist you in finding the one that is ideal for you.
• Affordable – When you consider the other types of security features that are often installed, you’re sure to see that a panic bar is far more affordable. They start as low as $100 and the most expensive one is typically $300. If you choose to have more than one panic bar installed then you can usually get them at a discount.
• Reduces Insurance Premiums – Building managers have to consider ways of lowering operating expenses. One good way to do this is by having a panic bar installed. There are some security companies that will offer you a reduced insurance rate when they see that you have taken the necessary precautions to protect yourself from liability.

There is no denying just how beneficial panic bars are. They are one of the modern marvels of our time that have aided in saving lives. Most commercial businesses have them, which is an indication that they realize just how important they are to have. Many have had to use them and those who have, are sure to tell you just how important they were to have. They would likely admit that they would hate to see what would have occurred if they didn’t have them. You can protect your investment by making sure that you have a panic bar installed, if you don’t have one already.

Whether you rent or own a commercial business, take the time to evaluate your current security situation. When there isn’t sufficient security, you risk liability if someone loses their life. Don’t take unnecessary chances when you can very easily have a panic bar installed. Invest in something that is sure to benefit you now and in the future, a panic bar. We have locksmiths who will be able to help you by quickly and effectively installing your new panic bar today. Even though you don’t want to think about the possibility of an emergency, it can happen so why not be prepared.