Why Panic Bars Are Essential to Commercial Businesses

At Fast Smyrna Locksmith, we install a variety of panic bars for all sorts of businesses in Smyrna, GA and surrounding areas. If you have a commercial business without panic bars, you should keep reading this article. You may be reluctant to even consider them because you simply do not know how beneficial they are to you or how they work. Our locksmiths have installed, sold and serviced panic bars to local businesses for quite a while now. When you own a business, it is very important for you to make sure your customers and your staffs are all protected from any potential harm that could occur on your property. Here is how panic bars can help.

What Are Panic Bars

You likely know what a panic bar is when you see one. However, you might not know exactly what they are and why they are there. You may also hear them referred to as crash bars or exit doors. A panic bar can be a horizontally bar attached across the front of the exit door. This type of system has been in place since the early 1900’s and because of them, many lives have been saved.

You merely need to push on a panic bar and the door will become unlatched and open. This happens from the inside. The door is spring loaded so that access is easy. It takes less time to enter and exit a building with a panic door that has a spring. This means you do not have to worry about trying to find a key so that you can unlock the door that has knob. It doesn’t matter how many people are exiting the building, a panic bar simply provides ease of control and lets people exit quickly and safely.

Recognizing Panic Bars

Now that you know exactly what a panic bar is, it is likely that you now remember seeing them or that you will begin to recognize them. They are practically everywhere you go. They are in movie theaters, shopping malls, beauty parlor, storage facilities, office building, car dealerships, clinics, convenience stores, restaurants, schools, and other places you may frequent. The reason they can be found in so many places is because they are efficient. In some areas, by law, it is required to have a panic bar. In some areas, it is even written into the building code.

Panic Bars for Your Business 

If you’re asking yourself whether your business needs a panic bar, it probably does. Wherever you live, you can go to the Building Department in your area to find out what requirements are in place for commercial buildings in your county. You can also check with one of our local locksmiths at Fast Smyrna Locksmith. If you have a business in an area where the construction is occurring, you can simply inquire to the construction manager about the buildings requirements.

The Security of Panic Bars

Panic bars are very secure. They are always placed on exit doors for your protection. They only open one-way and you cannot enter from the opposite side of the door. This enables people in your building to exit more swiftly but does not allow them to re-enter the same door. Anytime there are multiple shoppers exiting your property at the same time, having this type of controlled access makes it much more convenient. If there happens to be an emergency, everyone inside your building will be able to exit without incident. People can leave in an orderly fashion without trampling each other. Just think if people from the outside were to be able to come in from the other side, this could pose a serious threat to your safety and security. The process of getting out is rather simple. All one has to do is press on the bar and the spring will release the lock mechanism that unlocks the door. Pressing it while pushing on it will enable you and others to easily exit.

Affordability

Most panic bars are reasonably prices. However, this will depend more on where you buy them. The price various from one contractor to another. If you’re considering having panic bars installed, it is in your best interest to shop around first. Once you’ve gathered your information, contact our locksmiths to gather additional information and to verify that this type of panic bar is installed by our locksmiths. In most cases, our locksmiths are capable of installing most major panic bars. In addition to asking the contractor questions about panic bars, you can also inquire to builders, home improvement stores, hardware stores and developers. They are usually a good resource for asking questions about panic bars. When gathering additional information, make sure you ask about guarantees, pricing, installation costs, maintenance and any warranty coverage offered.

You will also want to make sure that the workmanship of the contractor who installs the panic bar is good by referencing online review websites, such as Angie’s List. You can also consult the Better Business Bureau or the local Chamber of Commerce. If you are going to have more than one installed, you might want to inquire about volume discounts. Locksmiths offer reasonable rates for the hardware and installation of your panic bars. This may not always be the case when it comes to dealing with certain contractors.

Again, when you are considering having panic bars installed, count the cost. You can receive all that you need from a local locksmith. The panic bars, installation and the maintenance of your door. Contact us today at Fast Smyrna Locksmith for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation, free work estimate and fast and convenient servicing.  When there is a problem with your panic bars, you can count on our locksmiths to come to your aid 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. We don’t force any business owner to invest in panic bars but we do highly encourage you to do so. It is the best way to protect your investment.