Emergencies can happen unexpectedly, so taking the proper safety measures is vital. One of the most important safety measures is the installation of emergency exit devices. Installing emergency exit doors is not just an option but a necessity for any building. These devices play a vital role in enhancing building safety and security. These simple yet efficient devices guarantee that everyone may leave a building promptly and safely during a crisis.
Let’s discuss some benefits of exit devices in emergency situations.
What Is Exit Device
An exit device, a panic device or a crash bar is a crucial safety measure. It is mechanical door hardware operated from inside an outswing exit door via a crossbar or push rail that extends at least halfway across its width. According to the life safety code, an exit mechanism must always open the door without the user knowing how to use it previously. Any horizontal force applied to the crossbar or push rail can release the door.
The terms’ panic bar’ and ‘crash bar’ were coined after incidents in which panicked individuals pushed against doors during emergencies, often causing damage or difficulty in evacuation.
Benefits of Exit Devices
Exit Devices are Easy to Use
Customers, staff, and guests can easily operate emergency exit devices. They don’t need much pressure to open up and are very beneficial for people with disabilities. They facilitate the easy entry and exit of a building without any assistance. They are also helpful for conditions where someone using the door may be unable to use their hands, for example, carrying or pulling objects behind someone.
Provide Regulatory Compliance
Many local building rules and fire safety laws require the installation of panic bars in specific kinds of buildings. For instance, the International Building Code requires the installation of emergency exit bars in buildings with high occupancy levels.
Installing panic bars guarantees that your property complies with these standards and helps prevent potential legal issues.
Improve Accessibility and Inclusivity
Panic bars improve accessibility and inclusivity within your properties. These devices are designed to be functionally accessible to people with varying physical abilities, including those with mobility challenges or disabilities. Their intuitive and user-friendly nature enables swift building evacuation during emergencies, regardless of their physical strength or dexterity.
Emergency Exit Bars Increase Effectiveness
Emergency exit bars are highly effective and likely have the most significant benefit. In an emergency, advising others to stay calm is less effective than having panic bars to facilitate a quick exit. The reason emergency exit bars were manufactured is to prevent dangerous individuals from entering a building with the sole intention of harming others.
Furthermore, they give people a quicker and more effective way to leave the area, which can be the difference between life and death.
Added Security and Deterrent to Unauthorized Entry
Panic devices deter unwanted access while prioritizing a speedy evacuation in an emergency. They are manufactured to prevent entry from the exterior, discouraging invaders while maintaining an easy escape from the interior.
Their sturdy design and functionality provide an additional layer of security, ensuring peace of mind by striking a balance between limited access and emergency egress. These devices have numerous mechanical and electronic elements to enhance security, making them a good choice for commercial and public buildings. Mechanical panic devices usually feature a latch or bolt system that locks the door from the inside.
Increase Property Value
Lastly, having emergency exit doors raises the property’s long-term worth. Real estate investors and buyers will assess the property and its value by examining all security measures that have been installed. So, emergency exit doors are crucial security measures that enhance the property’s value, making it more valuable than other buildings in the same location.
