Why Businesses Need Panic Bars

Panic bars are exit devices that are used in commercial buildings and other public spaces. It is likely you have seen them for yourself on school doors, hospital doors, and in and around typical businesses in your city. For high-occupancy spaces, panic bars are mandatory for businesses to have installed.

You may also hear panic bars sometimes referred to as crash bars, panic devices, or exit devices. They look like horizontal bars that sit on the interior side of doors. The bar sits at a similar height as a typical doorknob might be and all that is required to open the door is a push on the bar. These devices are easy to use, especially in the event that a large group of people tries to leave or evacuate a building all at once.

Panic bars have a dark history. Numerous catastrophes occurred prior to their invention. These events ultimately highlighted where building safety codes needed to improve and how businesses could, and ultimately should, protect their customers.

The History Behind Panic Bars

Panic bars were invented just over 100 years ago. Three primary events are often cited when discussing the history of why panic bars were invented in the first place. The first event occurred in Sunderland, England in 1883 and is often referred to as the Victoria Hall Disaster. During this event, 183 children perished after a stampede broke out near the concert hall’s only exit door. It was after this particular instance that Robert Briggs invented the panic bolt. In the years following this event, legal requirements in England also began to shift and venues were soon required to have a minimum number of exits, as well as outward swinging doors.

The second event occurred in 1903 in Chicago. The Iroquois Theatre fire claimed the lives of 602 people after a stage curtain caught on fire, causing the patrons inside to panic and flee to the exit. The theater had several balconies and not enough exits to accommodate a quick evacuation from these upper levels. To make matters worse, the theater also only had one exit. A combination of lack of exits, occupancy space, and other safety provisions that were ignored, hundreds of people tragically lost their lives.

The last and final incident that finally led to changes in the United States in terms of panic bar installations and other safety features happened in Ohio. The Lake View School in Collinwood, Ohio caught fire in 1908, claiming the lives of one rescuer, two teachers, and 172 students. As with the other tragedies, inadequate exits and lack of exit devices led to the deaths of so many.

With panic bars and other safety measures installed, businesses and commercial building owners can prevent the same circumstances described above from happening on their own properties. Now that you know more about the history of panic bars, consider some of the benefits that come with having panic bars properly installed in commercial spaces.

5 Benefits of Panic Bars

Increased Safety

There is no doubt that panic bars increase building safety. For commercial spaces that are able to hold hundreds, if not thousands of people, panic bars are necessary and effective during emergencies.

Versatile

Panic bars do not just come in one set look or style. There are actually several different looks and finishes that you can choose from. While they generally all work the same way and have a horizontal bar that one pushes towards the door, the style of the bar will vary. With how many different looks are available, business owners can easily find a style that will fit their current business.

Affordable

While installing panic bars requires professional assistance, it is generally very affordable. Businesses should never skip out on installing panic bars because they are worried about cost. If something were to happen that could have been prevented with a panic bar present, business owners may be held liable for personal injuries or other damages. If you are concerned about the cost, talk to a local locksmith to see if they can offer your business a discount with panic bar installations, especially if you have multiple exit doors that will need panic bars.

Reduced Insurance Rates

Panic bars are mandated by both national and international building safety codes. Depending on the size of your business, the occupancy, as well as the materials that are handled within the building, you will be bound by law to make sure that panic bars are installed properly. By doing so, it is possible that you may receive a discount on your business insurance. Installing certain emergency exit installations and other building safety provisions may save you money in the long run.

Effective in Evacuations

While most people know not to panic during an evacuation emergency, it is inevitable that some will, especially if the situation is immediately life-threatening. Having panic bars present on exit doors helps businesses and customers be prepared in a variety of situations. Even if panic does ensue and a large group of people try to exit the building all at once, the same issues with stampedes that occurred prior to the invention of panic bars will be far less likely to ensue.

Need Local Assistance for Your Business?

If you own a business anywhere in the Peachtree Corners, Georgia area and are looking for a team of locksmiths to help you with your business lock and panic bar installations, give our experts at Peachtree Corners Locksmith, LLC a call now! We have been helping businesses in and around Peachtree Corners receive expert installations and upgrades that help ensure their security, as well as the safety of their customers. If you are looking for residential or automotive locksmithing services, we can also help! Our versatile and skilled locksmiths are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to help with all of your commercial, automotive, residential, and emergency locksmithing needs. Call our trusted lock and key experts now!