Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith: The Importance of Panic Bars for a Commercial Property
Panic bars are a common security addition in buildings that see a large amount of people enter them on a daily basis. You will have seen them installed on the doors of hospitals, schools, corporate buildings, churches, concert venues, shopping malls and in many other spots. They may be prevalent, but do you know how important these are for any commercial property? That’s what we are going to discuss today.
Also known as crash bars, push bars or exit devices, these security mechanisms rely on a tumbler lever lock designed for the easy opening and closing of a door during an emergency. As its name suggests, a horizontal, spring-loaded metal bar is fitted across the inside of the door. The door is activated by pushing this bar, unlatching and allowing you to open the door outwards.
The best way to explain its importance is to highlight some of the main reasons why all businesses should consider installing these into their commercial properties.
Legal matters
In some areas, having panic bars in commercial buildings is a requirement by OSHA regulations. It always pays to check whether this applies to your area, though we would recommend installing these regardless of whether or not they are legally mandated. The main reason these have been legislated for in different states’ rules and regulations is because panic bars offer very strong security benefits. We’ll close in on some of those right now.
It’s good for insurance rates
This is one benefit that is often overlooked by commercial property owners. Properly-installed panic bars can actually decrease the insurance premium of a property – just like you would receive discounted rates if your car has been fitted with special security enhancements. Make sure to pay attention to other security and safety essentials too: it’s not just panic bars that help reduce premiums, but also your standard features like carbon monoxide detectors, sprinklers and child-safe window latches.
Smoother emergency evacuations
As a rule, emergency exit doors open outwards to enable people to quickly get out of a building. This alone is pretty self-explanatory: it takes longer to open a door by pulling than pushing – so it’s only natural that emergency doors prioritize the latter. With that in mind, panic bars add another efficient dimension to this logic. In a commercial building with a high foot traffic, turning a knob to open a door will take up some valuable time – the type that cannot be spared during an urgent situation like a fire or a natural disaster. By enabling people to quickly push open the door, you’ll significantly speed up the entire evacuation process. It will also help you control the flow of people coming out of the property in this scenario.
Safety is always a given
Not only when it comes to streamlining evacuations, but in general as well. Because they are installed on the inside, panic bars also work as a locking mechanism for the doors in which they have been fitted. In other words, nobody can open those doors from the outside – so there is minimal to no chance of anyone breaking and entering your commercial property through these doors. Additionally, panic bars can also comprise an alarm system that alerts building supervisors of any unauthorized access or evacuation attempts.
They are affordable and very diverse
The panic bars you can get from your local locksmith professional tend to be very reasonably priced. Some models cost less than $100, while the most sophisticated can reach upwards of $300. The reason for such a price range? There’s a myriad of options to choose from – so if you need to install these into your commercial building, definitely take the time to shop around. Some of the options you will encounter along the way include cross bar types, vertical bar devices, and ones with alarms installed in them. Now you know some of the benefits, here’s what you need to know about getting them installed.
Where can I find panic bars for my property?
That is where your local commercial lock and key service provider will bring you great value. Not only will they provide you with a wide range of installation options, for all types of buildings and budgets, they will have performed this kind of service time and again. That means you can trust them to advise you on the right security features for your property.
Never had a locksmith install security devices for you? We’ll help you select the right professional for the job. Essentially, hiring a local specialist will save you a lot of hassle – it will be easier to check up on their credentials, and you won’t be charged for travel costs. Remember, reputation travels fast. If you can, try to get a few recommendations from other business owners in the area. Keep in mind too that not all locksmiths are created equal – some will provide customers with a wide scope of services, while others may choose to specialize in residential matters, commercial security and so on. Always call the selected business to inquire about their services, license and insurance information and a full cost breakdown of their solutions. Never hire a company without a fully verifiable address, or one who refuses to give basic information like a full business name on request. If you have the time to spare, ask you’re the person on the line how long they’ve been working in the area, and ask for client references to back up these claims. A bit of research will keep you away from the scammers – from then, everything should run smoothly.
If you are based in Johns Creek, GA, and you would like more information about installing panic bars in your commercial building, get in touch with our team. Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith will bring you plenty of options to choose from, and will do so very affordably. Schedule a free consultation to discuss our panic bar installations with our licensed and insured professionals, or phone us to get a free price quote if you already have a clear idea of the type of panic bar you need for your doors.
No matter where your business operations are situated, panic bars are always a great choice. They are very important security mechanisms that will bring a lot of benefits for your commercial property. Make sure to contact a commercial locksmith in your area to invest in the protection that your property well and truly deserves.