Part 1: A Deep Dive into Panic Devices (Crash Bars)

A panic device, or as some people like to call them “crash bars”, is defined as a door-locking assembly that can be released quickly by applying pressure on a horizontal bar. This hardware is designed for one primary purpose: to allow a group of people to exit a building quickly and easily in an emergency, without needing any special knowledge, keys, or fine motor skills. In a panic situation, such as a fire, people’s instinct is to push against a door. A crash bar is engineered to unlatch and open with that simple, intuitive motion, even in a crowded, high-pressure situation.

When and Where Are Panic Bars Required by Law in Los Angeles?

Fire inspectors often require for panic hardware to be installed in public locations where groups of people usually come together. Fire and building codes, including those enforced by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and detailed in California’s Title 24, typically mandate panic hardware based on two key factors: the building’s occupancy type and its calculated occupant load.

• Occupancy Type: Panic bars are almost always required in “Assembly” occupancies (theaters, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and schools), as well as in certain educational, high-hazard, and institutional facilities.
• Occupant Load: Any room or building with a calculated occupant load of 50 or more people (or as specified by the most current local code) typically requires its exit doors to be fitted with panic hardware.

Panic devices are only installed on out-swinging doors, and must open freely when anyone presses against the door. It is crucial to note that adding any secondary lock, such as a deadbolt or slide bolt, to a door with a panic bar is a serious code violation that can result in fines and dangerous conditions. Our technicians are deeply familiar with these requirements and can help ensure your property is fully compliant.

Anatomy of a Panic Device: Types and Functions

There are several types of panic devices, each designed for specific door types and security needs. We install and service top-tier, heavy-duty brands like Von Duprin, Detex, Adams Rite, and Sargent.

• Rim Exit Devices: The most common type, where the device is surface-mounted and its latch engages with a strike plate on the door frame or a mullion. They are known for their simplicity and extreme durability.
• Mortise Exit Devices: These offer a higher level of security by integrating a mortise lock body into a pocket within the door, providing the emergency egress function of a panic bar with the enhanced security of a mortise lock.
• Vertical Rod Devices: Used for double doors without a central mullion, these devices feature rods that latch into the frame at the top and the floor at the bottom, securing both doors simultaneously.
• Fire-Rated vs. Panic-Rated: It’s critical to understand this distinction. All fire-rated exit hardware is also panic-rated, but not all panic hardware is fire-rated. If your door is a designated fire door (designed to stop the spread of smoke and flames), it must have fire-rated exit hardware to maintain its integrity during a fire.

Part 2: A Guide to Exit Alarms

Exit alarms are defined as devices used to observe exits through monitored areas. They are the perfect solution for a common business dilemma: “This door must be an emergency exit, but I can’t leave it unsecured.” They are commonly used by businesses such as retail stores and restaurants. Exit alarms are used in locations where locking a door would violate fire code, but leaving it unsecured would breach security. They work by sounding a loud, localized alarm the moment the door is opened, deterring unauthorized use for theft or propping the door open, while still allowing for legitimate emergency egress. In case of a fire, exit alarms provide emergency exits for customers and employees.

Common Applications for Exit Alarms

• Retail Stores: To prevent shoplifters from using fire exits as a quick and discreet getaway route. The loud, piercing alarm immediately draws staff and customer attention to the door.
• Restaurants & Bars: To stop staff or patrons from propping open back doors for breaks, an action that can provide easy access for intruders and compromise the security of the entire establishment.
• Warehouses & Distribution Centers: To monitor shipping and receiving doors against internal theft or unauthorized entry.

Exit alarm products are available either with or without locking devices included. Through the use of sensors, typically contact or movement based, chimes or alarms notify the user that an exit was used.

The Guardian Angel Advantage: Your Commercial Security Partner

Navigating the world of commercial door hardware, especially when life-safety is involved, requires a level of expertise that goes far beyond a standard locksmith. At Guardian Angel Locksmith, we are your trusted Los Angeles security partner.

• Code Compliance Expertise: Our technicians are knowledgeable about local Los Angeles and California fire codes, helping you choose hardware that is not only secure but fully compliant.
• Premium Brands: We install only the most reliable, heavy-duty hardware from industry-leading brands like Von Duprin, Detex, and Adams Rite.
• Meticulous Installation: An improperly installed panic bar can fail during an emergency. We ensure every installation is performed to the manufacturer’s exact specifications for flawless performance when it matters most.
• Comprehensive Solutions: We look at the whole picture, providing a solution that integrates your panic hardware, exit alarms, and overall access control system.