Panic bars (also known as push bars or crash bars) are a type of door opening mechanism that is used extensively by businesses all across Atlanta, Georgia. Depending on your building’s size, type, and area, the building codes governing its safety may require you to have functioning panic bars installed on all of your outward opening exit doors. But why are panic bars considered such a staple of commercial building safety and are they truly effective as they seem? This article aims to give you all the information you need on these important safety devices.
The Basics & History of Panic Bars
A panic bar is one of those things that you see many times during the course of your day but don’t usually think twice about. A panic bar is a flat metal bar affixed horizontally to the interior of commercial doors, which allow the door to swing open when depressed. Panic bars are commonly found on shopping mall doors, the doors of large office complexes, at medical facilities, and in schools, but they can be found on a large variety of commercial properties. Most people use panic bars all the time without ever knowing what they’re called or what their purpose is.
The history that led to the development of panic bars is soaked in tragedy. Two of the most notable stand out. The first is the Victoria Hall stampede that led to the death of 183 children. In 1883 at the Victoria Hall, free toys were being offered which caused the excited crowd of 1000 children to stampede to the staircase. At the bottom of the stairs was a door that was bolted to ensure orderly procession through the door. The children at the bottom of the stairs were crushed, in the worst tragedy of its kind in the country’s history.
