If you run a business in Warwick—whether it’s a restaurant on Post Road, a warehouse, or a retail shop—you likely walk past one of the most critical safety devices in your building every day without noticing it. It’s the horizontal metal bar across the rear exit door.
Known technically as “panic hardware” or colloquially as a “crash bar,” this device is not just a door handle. It is a life-saving mechanism mandated by law. Its purpose is simple: in an emergency, such as a fire or an active threat, a rush of people pressing against the door must cause it to unlatch and open immediately. No twisting of knobs, no fumbling with deadbolts. Just push and go. Ensuring these devices are installed correctly and functioning perfectly is a primary responsibility for any business owner.
The Code: NFPA 101 and Your Liability
The requirement for panic bars is driven by the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), published by the National Fire Protection Association. Generally, any room or building with an occupancy load of 50 or more people (for assembly areas) or containing high-hazard contents requires panic hardware on exit doors.
If your business is inspected by the fire marshal and your rear exit has a standard deadbolt, or worse, a slide bolt padlock, you will likely be fined and forced to fix it immediately. Why? because in a smoke-filled room, a confused crowd cannot operate a thumb-turn lock. History is tragically filled with examples of fires where blocked exits led to loss of life. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines; it’s about moral and legal liability. You can review these standards via the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which outlines the specific “actuating force” required to open these doors (usually less than 15 pounds of pressure).
The “Dogging” Feature: Balancing Security and Convenience
A common question we get from business owners is: “If the door always opens from the inside, how do I keep people out, and how do I use the door during the day?”
This is where the “dogging” feature comes in. Most commercial panic bars come with a hex-key mechanism (or a cylinder key) that allows you to retract the latch and lock the bar in the depressed position. This effectively turns the door into a “push-pull” door during business hours, saving wear and tear on the latch mechanism. At night, you “undog” the bar, and the latch extends, locking the door from the outside while ensuring it still allows emergency exit from the inside.
However, security remains a concern. The back door is a prime target for break-ins. High-quality panic bars are designed to resist “fishing” attacks (where a wire is hooked under the door to pull the bar down). Upgrading to Grade 1 heavy-duty hardware ensures the device can withstand thousands of cycles and resist forced entry attempts.
Alarmed Exits: Stopping Shrinkage
For retail businesses, the back door is also a source of “shrinkage” (theft). Employees or shoplifters may use the emergency exit to slip out with unpaid merchandise.
To combat this, we often install alarmed panic bars. These units sound a piercing 100-decibel siren the moment the bar is pressed. It doesn’t stop the door from opening (which would be illegal), but it draws immediate attention to the unauthorized exit. Some advanced models offer a “delayed egress” feature (where permitted by code), which delays the opening for 15 seconds while sounding an alarm, giving security time to respond.
Your Warwick Experts for Push Bar Installation
Your emergency exits are your building’s safety valve. Don’t risk code violations or the safety of your staff with faulty or improper hardware. We specialize in the installation and repair of code-compliant panic bars, alarmed exit devices, and heavy-duty commercial door hardware. Trust Top Lock and Garage to keep your business up to code and secure. View our Push Bar Installation services or discuss your fire safety needs with us via our Contact Us link.