Why You Need Panic Bars

At Carmel Locksmith Stars in Carmel, IN, we realize that everyone has been somewhere where there are panic bars whether you realize it or not. If you’ve ever been in a mall, hospital, office park, school, or any other public space, chances are that you have seen panic bars on the doors. It is a bar that you press on that will easily open up so that you can get out quickly and safely. Panic bars may also be referred to as crash bars. They are essential for the safety of large groups of people. They were invented to help protect lives, since before they were invented there were many who lost their lives. Before panic bars were designed there were people who became trapped and were unable to leave the area where they were. The panic bar is spring-loaded and is installed horizontally across the inside of the door. When the bar is pushed on then it unlocks the door. This is what makes it so easy to get in and out and to get people to safety fast.

The reason that that they are installed in so many larger buildings is obvious, there are more people to get out of harm’s way. Yes, this is why you’ll notice them in places, such as malls and hospitals. When people feel trapped, they tend to panic, which is exactly why so many lost their lives in the past. If they notice that you have a panic bar then they will remain calm because they know that there is an easy way for them to quickly get out, if necessary. When there are tons of people running to the exit at the same time and people on the other side attempting to get inside, this can prove extremely dangerous. That is why there is only one way out. Those from outside are restricted from coming inside from the other side.  It’s reasonable for people to want to come in and help get their loved ones to safety but they could be creating more of a problem than they realize. It would certainly be a tragedy if lives were lost due to the people inability to safely get out.

Panic bars came about because of the tragic losses in the 1800s and the 1900s. During the 1800s as many as 180 children died because they were unable to get out safely. Also, during the 1900s more than 60 people lost their lives in a theater because they couldn’t escape a fire. With the invention of the panic bar, they no longer have to worry about this being a problem, as there is now a clear path out.

Here are some of the other advantages of having a panic bar:

Affordability

The panic door is more valuable than you imagine it to be and is extremely affordable. You can have one installed for as little as $100. Now from where we sit, this isn’t a bad deal. Even the most expensive one will cost about $300. If there is one more than one panic bar that you need then most people are usually offered an even better rate. Let us know if we can help with the installation of your panic bars.

Variety

You may not know it but the panic bar can be installed vertically or horizontally. This is because there is actually several that you’ll be able to choose from. Commercial business owners should take the time to really understand their options, as this could have a great impact on their business and the safety of their customers.

Safety

This would undoubtedly be the most important reason for having panic bars installed. You are capable of avoiding liability due to the loss of life because you were not able to safely evacuate everyone. They are installed on the inside of the door so that no one on the other side can attempt to get inside while others are trying to get out. Some panic bars even come equipped with an alarm on them that will alert the owner to a problem with someone trying to gain access from outside. Only a qualified professional locksmith should install your panic bar.

Effective

Really, what good is a panic bar if it were not effective? If they were not effective then it wouldn’t be something that were mandatory by OSHA for several businesses. They are valuable because they are effective in helping save lives. It’s a good idea to check your local municipality to make sure you’re in compliance and that you have a panic bar if it is mandatory.

Lower Insurance Premium

Anyone who operates a business is aware of the cost of doing so. This means that they may need to cut their expenses from time to time and having a panic bar may just be the way to do it. There are actually some insurance companies that will cut you a break if you have a panic bar installed. Since you already have a lot on your plate, why not allow us to help take one of them off by encouraging you to have a panic bar installed as soon as possible. You already have to worry about having smoke detectors, lighting and carbon monoxide detectors installed to protect your workers and customers, now consider how beneficial a panic bar would be.

Many of the tragedies over the years could have been avoided but unfortunately the panic bar wasn’t installed yet. Now that there is something that is proven to save lives, why not take full advantage of it. You can prevent loss of life so why wouldn’t you. If you have the responsibility of keeping your customers, household and employees safe, it’s important that you consider having a panic bar installed, as it is one of the most effective ways to keep them safe during an emergency situation. You can’t predict when an emergency might occur but you can at least be prepared.