A panic bar — technically an exit device — allows a door to be opened from the inside with a single push, without needing a key or turning a handle, even under pressure. For many commercial occupancy types, this isn't optional; it's a fire code requirement. Can-Lock Security installs and services panic bars and exit devices, and helps businesses understand what their specific occupancy actually requires.
Why Panic Bars Exist
In an emergency, particularly a fire, a crowd trying to exit through a door with a standard handle or a locked mechanism creates a genuine bottleneck and safety hazard. A panic bar allows immediate egress with minimal effort — push the bar, the door opens, regardless of how many people are moving toward it at once. This is why fire and building codes mandate them for many types of occupancy above certain capacity thresholds.
Common Situations That Call for This
- Opening a new commercial space that requires panic hardware to meet occupancy code
- A change in a building's use or occupancy classification that newly triggers the requirement
- An existing panic bar that's worn, damaged, or no longer functioning reliably
- Wanting exit hardware that also integrates with an access control system for the exterior side of the door
- A fire inspection or insurance review flagging a missing or non-compliant exit device
Types of Exit Devices
- Rim exit devices, mounted on the surface of the door, common on single doors
- Mortise exit devices, integrated into the door itself for a lower profile
- Vertical rod devices, securing a door at both the top and bottom, often used on pairs of doors
- Concealed vertical rod devices, offering the same security with the hardware hidden within the door
Determining What Your Building Actually Needs
Requirements depend on your occupancy classification, the building's capacity, and local fire code. We can assess your specific space and help clarify what's actually required versus what's optional, since over-installing isn't necessary but under-installing is a genuine compliance and safety issue.
Balancing Security With Code Compliance
A panic bar allows free exit from the inside while still securing the door from the outside, which is exactly the balance most commercial buildings need — a door that's genuinely secure against unauthorized entry while never becoming an obstacle to safe exit. We can pair exit devices with appropriate exterior locking hardware or access control to achieve both.
Why Choose Can-Lock Security for Panic Bars and Exit Devices
Can-Lock Security is a mobile, family-owned locksmith that installs and services exit devices for commercial properties. We help clarify actual code requirements for your specific occupancy rather than guessing, and we install hardware that balances genuine security with safe, reliable egress.
Book Your Panic Bar Installation
Whether you're meeting a new code requirement or upgrading existing hardware, Can-Lock Security can help. Reach out to schedule a consultation.
Related pages: Commercial Locksmith Services | Access Control Systems | High-Security Locks | Industrial Locksmith
