They are in place to minimize the risk of injury, and even death. This means that legal liability is effectively reduced in addition to promoting a safer work environment. The presence of panic bars alone can assure workers, and patrons that safety is just a step away via this familiar exit device. From regulatory reasons to basic business responsibility, we look at the importance of panic bars for workplace safety.

A Quick Glance, and the Benefits of a Panic Bar

1. Accessibility: As mentioned, the purpose of a panic bar, also referred to as push bars, is to allow for quick egress of the building if a life-threatening incident takes place. A rapid evacuation is essential when needed. While the obvious hope is that a panic bar will never be used, at least in a panic, the wiser choice is to make sure that one is always in place.

2. Access, and Safety: While panic bars allow patrons, and workers to exit freely as needed, they also protect a business or building from unauthorized access from the outside. Most panic bars are equipped with or linked to a locking mechanism that ensures that the door cannot be breached by outside intruders. This allows for a comforting sense of balance when it comes to protecting your business, and essential inventory.

3. Reduce Liability, and Risk: Even if a small, and mostly harmless incident requires an immediate evacuation, your business can be affected by how well or how poorly that evacuation is executed. Often, word of mouth can do more damage than a quickly contained fire if a rush to exit is bottlenecked, and patrons feel threatened or unsafe. With a panic bar in place, risk and liability issues are drastically reduced.

   Also, there is the matter of actual law. Business owners who fail to provide either a panic bar or other mandated emergency exit systems, and hardware very likely to be subjected to fines or even lawsuits. This can needlessly create considerable financial issues when it comes to operating your business in a commercially zoned building. The recommendation here is to keep the laws, and fire inspector happy by way of this simple, and effective compliance.

   It’s important you’re aware of your local regulations; Dallas’ access control requirements can be found here, as an example.

4. Peace of Mind: It’s more subliminal than not but the presence of a panic bar quietly assures workers, and patrons alike that there is no real need to panic. Of course, panic is a natural response when it comes to a serious emergency. However, the silent realization that panic bars are already in place can help to keep building occupants more alert and aware if/when an emergency develops.

   This means that an evacuation is more likely to be ruled by calm instead of chaos. Once occupants of a building or business realize that panic bars are easily accessible, the need to evacuate will be met with a more controlled sense of respect and understanding. This prevents patrons, and workers from a possible stampede, and other potential harm that could quickly come about by a disorganized or bottlenecked rush for safety.

5. Accommodates a Diverse Workspace Environment: These days almost all panic bars are ADA approved or live up to ADA standards. Panic bars come in a variety of sizes so be sure to consider wider doors for wheelchair accommodation. Those with mobility issues will want to know that you care for their business, and patronage as well. Also, the American Disabilities Act requires your business or building to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Failure to comply allows inspectors to issue more fines, or worse, until compliance is met. 

Panic Bar Compliancy is Real

As well as the aforementioned ADA, there are a number of other safety regulators who call for compliance when it comes to panic bars, and fire door exits. The National Fire Protection Association’s Life Safety Code as well as The International Building Code and the ever-popular American workplace regulator OSHA all call for panic bars, and other like-minded emergency exit signage, and hardware to be in place. These codes are particularly enforced when it comes to areas or venues that support a large capacity of patrons, and workers. Theaters, large retail spaces, and factories all fall under the legal microscope when it comes to enforcing these needful requirements. 

What is the minimum legal capacity when it comes to compliancy? Generally speaking, panic bars are most often required in workplaces or venues that support more than 50 occupants at a time. This includes employees, and patrons alike. 

However, it might also be wise to consider panic bars in smaller businesses or venues if the emergency signage leads to a narrowed hallway exit, let’s say, in the back of a building. A properly installed panic bar in a location like this allows for quick egress. However, if an emergency exit is not properly anticipated in these smaller venues, and tighter locations then serious harm or even death is possible in a panicked situation. 

Panic Bars are There to Protect Your Patrons, and Your Business

The importance of panic bars cannot be overstated. The hope, of course, is that they remain unneeded, and behind the scenes, and never used aside from calmly entering or exiting the building. However, if one is needed, and is not there, this could create serious issues for your building or business. 

Are you up to code? Do you need a new panic bar or does your current panic bar not work properly or require inspection? We can help make sure that your business is compliant and stays compliant. Give A-1 Locksmith a call today, and let our crew of experts answer all of your panic bar questions.   

What You Need to Know for Your Exit Signage

In the case of your actual exit hardware here are the key points of compliance. 

1. Accessibility: Exit doors must be easily accessible. They cannot be locked from the inside or difficult to reach or operate. 
2. Keep it Simple with a Push Bar. If you have a push bar exit door, it would be wise to check it often. Make sure that it operates as it should, and that it’s very easy to open. 
3. Deadbolts: Of course, you will need to lock the door to prevent theft when your business is closed, but your fire exit door should remain unlocked during hours of operation. Again, check this often. If a door is locked or stuck during an emergency, you can be held liable for damages, and even loss of life.  

Clear Signage, and Testing are Both a Must

Emergency exit doors must be equipped with clear signage that indicates where the emergency exit is. The signage cannot be blocked, and should be illuminated as needed. Also, if your venue has back-up power, make sure that emergency lights, and signage are also connected to this source. This will be essential to keeping emergency pathways properly lit and accessible if an actual emergency disrupts utilities. 

You should also schedule routine testing and maintenance of all equipment that is associated with your exit plan and existing exit hardware. It’s important that on-site workers know a routine for properly exiting and making sure that they can also direct patrons to an exit or fire door in the event of an emergency. 

Fire Door Requirements 

Does your business have a fire-rated exit door as a means of escape during a fire or emergency? It’s imperative that your exit signs point to or highlight a door that is also compliant with the Dallas Fire Code. A fire-resistance rating should be acquired, and approved. Any hardware on or around your fire door must not impede the door or its ability to function during an emergency situation. 

Also, exit hardware, such as push bars, must not require a key to operate or open. It must be immediately, and always accessible to all building occupants so that they can exit immediately when needed.  

The Dallas Fire Code is There for Your Safety

When it comes to your business location, the safety of your employees, and patronage is foremost. If you’re not quite up to code, give A-1 Locksmith a call. We can help you make sure that all of your emergency signs are properly displayed, and your fire doors, and windows are accessible, and function properly. 

If you’re ever in doubt always remember that the Dallas Fire Code for fire exit hardware is aligned with the National Fire Protection Association and the International Fire Code. 

Similarly— but on a more serious note — the people in your business’ building need an easy way to get outside quickly during emergencies. That’s where an exit device steps in.

What Are Exit Devices?

Also known as push bars, touch bars or panic bars, exit devices are extremely important for unexpected situations. You’ve likely seen them at sporting venues, schools, and other areas with lots of foot traffic. But did you know they’re important for even small businesses as well? These devices, which are mounted on the side of the door and allow for an easy exit once they’re depressed or pushed, have several benefits for any type of commercial business.

Benefits of Exit Devices

Exit devices do more than just allow you to exit the building. Here are three other benefits:

• They’re efficient: One of the biggest benefits of exit devices is that they increase the safety of your building in emergency situations. Whether it’s a fire, flood or security issue, exit devices allow the people in the building to efficiently leave with just the push of a spring-loaded bar.
• They’re safe: Exit devices don’t just let people get out of the building easily; they can prevent unauthorized people from entering the building as well. Furthermore, you can fit them with an alarm to avoid any instances of unauthorized entry.
• They’re practical: Not only are exit devices affordable, but they’re also a potential way to save money on your insurance rates. Ask your insurance provider if exit devices will give you any discounts.

Why Hire a Locksmith to Install Exit Devices

When you combine the invaluable benefits of exit devices with their low cost, it’s easy to see why they make sense for most businesses. They’re efficient, effective, and even required for, some building types. Because they’re so important, it’s equally as crucial to get them installed by a qualified locksmith who has the experience, and professionalism required to install them properly the first time. A-1 Locksmith has been providing locksmith and security services since 1949 and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, so you can trust us with your exit device needs.

Exit devices are extremely important for your business. To go over your options, and choose an exit device that’s right for you, visit any of our 10 Dallas-Fort Worth-area locations today.

Because of this, push bars are one of the most popular commercial door lock types around today. While they’re often required for their benefits in emergency situations, they have several other advantages over traditional door opening mechanisms when it comes to commercial security.

How Push Bars Make Your Building Safer

The Victoria Hall disaster in England left 183 children dead in 1883. Twenty-five years later, in 1905, 172 students died in the Collinwood school fire. Ever since these two events — which were worsened by children unable to exit a building — there’s been a highlighted need for easy-to-exit doorways in emergency situations. This is why most countries have had building codes since the end of the 20th century, and why the panic bolt that inspired push bars was first invented back in 1892.

Today, push bars make buildings safer by allowing people to exit a building by simply depressing a bar that activates a mechanism for unlatching the door. Occupants in buildings with push bars can quickly leave the building since the bars are typically spring-loaded, and swing in the direction of an exit. Casualties for many modern disasters have been lessened because of devices like push bars.

How Push Bars Make Your Building More Secure

Push bars aren’t just for safety, however. They also increase your commercial building’s security level. Many are designed so that they aren’t easily accessed from the exit side of the door. You can set up push bars so they’re already recessed, and ready for use during business hours, but back in their original position when your building is closed. Because of this, many insurance companies even offer discounts for buildings with push bars or panic bars installed.

Other Benefits of Push Bars

In addition to making your building safer and more secure, push bars are also affordable. A commercial locksmith can provide a cost-effective installation and product that fits your needs. There are also a variety of sizes, and styles of push bars to choose from, so they match your facility’s specific measurements, and requirement for vertical or horizontal bar design.

A-1 Locksmith is an authorized dealer for several of the most prominent commercial companies around today. If you’re interested in improving your commercial security via a push bar or other security device, be sure to find an A-1 Locksmith location near you or call (972) 284-7500.

Of course, Dallas business owners should never hope for a catastrophe; however, at A-1 Locksmith, we advise all of our clients to hope for the best, while still preparing for all situations that could arise. In light of this, we ask you to consider the real importance of a reliable commercial exit device, and what you should do routinely to ensure yours are in working order.

What is a Commercial Exit Device?

Nearly all Dallas residents have seen or utilized a commercial exit device at some point time. And while there are various types, and models of commercial exit devices, two are commonly used more than the rest: touch bars, and crossbars. Both touch bars, and crossbars lie perpendicularly across commercial doors, generally slightly above waist height, and appear as a straight bar connected to the door’s lock.

The purpose of these devices is simple: to allow for easy departure in the event of an emergency, and to provide a quick exit for those within while keeping the door locked to those on the outside. Very often those involved in an emergency become confused, and have difficulty taking specific actions, such as turning a doorknob or even unlocking a door. The commercial exit device allows those within the building to simply push on the bar in order to depart in a hurry.

The Importance of Maintaining Your Commercial Exit Devices

With a solid understanding of the purpose of commercial exit devices, the importance of consistent maintenance becomes apparent. Unless a business owner routinely inspects, and maintains the commercial exit devices in his or her building, he or she is unable to know whether they will work correctly in an emergency. And while this may not matter on most days, this could lead to disaster should any serious issues arise.

Contact A-1 Locksmith for Help Keeping Your Business Safe

If you own a business in the area, don’t wait any longer to speak to a professional about inspecting and maintaining the commercial exit devices in your building. At A-1 Locksmith, we have significant experience with all varieties of commercial exit devices, and we will draw on our expertise, and ability to assist you with all of your needs.