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.

The first incident occurred in 1883 in Sunderland, England. 183 children lost their lives after attending a performance in the concert hall. When the production ended, a stampede broke out after over 1,000 children rushed to the exits upon being promised that those to reach the door first would receive a prize. As the children rushed towards the concert hall’s only exit, it was discovered that the door only opened inward, and when doing so, only left enough space for one child to slip through at a time. This led to the tragic death of almost 200 children and was the first incident in a series of events that ultimately led to panic bar invention and law, as well as the requirement for outwardly swinging doors in commercial buildings. This particular incident in the United Kingdom almost immediately led to legal changes that called for increased commercial building safety. The United States, however, would experience two tragic incidents before finally making the push for building safety laws and standards.

The second incident happened in Chicago in 1903 and is known as the Iroquois Theatre Fire. During a theatre performance at the venue, one of the stage curtains caught fire, leading to the panic and stampede of over 1,600 people. With several balconies and only one exit, absolute pandemonium broke out and over 600 people ultimately perished.

The Collinwood School Fire in Collinwood, Ohio in 1908 is the third incident that influenced panic bar and building safety laws. This particular occurrence left 172 students, one rescuer and two teachers dead after a fire blocked one of the only two exits in the school on that fateful day. As the entire student body and faculty rushed towards the only available exit in order to escape the fire, a bottleneck effect occurred near the doorway and only so many individuals were able to escape safely.

Always Include Panic Bars in Your Building

The incidents described above happened as a result of poor building safety standards and lack of proper hardware on exit doors. With panic bars in place, many of the tragedies that occurred could have been prevented. There are a few cases where, as a business owner, you may not need panic bars on exit doors if your building is small enough or has a small enough occupancy. It is always a good idea to double-check, however, and make sure that in the event of an evacuation, you know that your customers and employees will be able to leave quickly and safely. Even if you do not need panic bars, there are other safety measures you will need to have in place to make sure your building is safe and any potential emergencies do not become tragedies.

Panic Bars Installed

If you need assistance installing panic bars for your business or commercial property, hire a local locksmith to help you do so. Panic bars need to be correctly installed if you want to ensure that they are properly placed and will function correctly in an evacuation emergency. It is also not a bad idea to have a locksmith come inspect your panic bars annually in order to perform any needed maintenance or adjustments.

Locksmiths can help you with all of your business security and panic bar needs! Working with locksmiths means your business will be secured and your employees and customers will be protected while on the property. Even if locksmiths cannot help prevent disasters from happening, locksmiths can equip you with the tools necessary to eliminate potential catastrophe in a fire or other emergency. Locksmiths can take a look at your panic bars, install high-security locks, and make other installations that will keep you, your business, and anyone else on your property safe.