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The Importance of Hiring A Locksmith To Install Exit Devices

Exit devices serve a very crucial role by giving ease of movement to people during an emergency. These doors enhance safety precautions and measurements by swinging towards the particular direction people are exiting to. These exit devices come in handy when people are escaping from fire or any other kind of mishap in the office or house. Though these devices are indispensable in our lives, you need to hire locksmith professionals like ATL Locksmith Pros to install as well as maintain them for effective results.

Reasons To Hire a Locksmith For the Installation of Exit Devices

Tailored and Customized Services

Locksmiths And Exit Device Installation go hand in hand. There are many advantages a locksmith can bring to a customer. The first advantage is that services are tailored and designed to meet a customer’s specific needs. The professional will visit the premises and in consultation with the owner will draw up a detailed work specification to be agreed and signed off by the customer. Included in the terms and conditions agreement will be details of the specific services and the response times for various types of incidents. Services can include things such as a specified period for replacing damaged locks or when someone has lost their keys. The locksmith can arrange for temporary securing of premises and the replacement of the emergency doors and other exit devices when necessary.

Installation of Emergency Doors and Other Exit Device

Most of the locksmiths are specifically trained to fix or install any type of home security measures; including exit devices. It might seem like an easy task to install the devices by yourself, but it is usually advisable that you find a trained individual to do the work to minimize damage in the surrounding area and to ensure the exit door is installed correctly.

Reliable and Trustworthy Professionals

columbus-logoLocksmiths have been through a four year training period both on and off the job and have demonstrated their competency in the skills required to attain certification and be licensed to practice. They are equipped with a broad range of practical skills such as welding, metal work and a sound knowledge of health and safety procedures. They are required to undergo a criminal records check to ensure that they are trustworthy, and their fingerprints are retained on file by the police. They must hold insurance in case of accidents or damage to a clients property. Depending on whether they are working in the private or public sector the skills they need will require additional skills in mechanical and electronic engineering and computers to allow them to program and diagnose digital and electronic systems. This way, you are assured of reliable and trustworthy experts to install your exit devices.

Installation of Standard Emergency Exit Devices

exit-devicesAnother valuable service that a professional locksmith can provide is the installation of emergency exit devices in accordance with government regulations. In most commercial buildings if the expected occupancy is above a certain level, based on the squared footage of the area, then a single function exit device is required by law. If for example, it is the back door to a restaurant and the door is considered an emergency exit, then the door must be equipped with a panic bar. A panic bar allows, in the case of a fire, an individual to gain exit by just bumping up against the unit.

If the door is an exit on a small office or business such as a unit in a strip mall, then the best solution may be a single function lock. These locks incorporate a deadbolt as well as a lever handle; once the lever handle is pushed down, both locks release simultaneously. These locks are advantages over a panic bar because they offer the security of the deadbolt while maintaining the emergency egress requirements. Whether one needs a panic bar or a single action lock installed it is a good idea to have a business locksmith install a latch guard thus making the door resistant to door spreading as well as latch attacks such as sawing through the bolt.

 

Exit devices are necessary for the safety of occupants in case of fire breakout or any other mishap inside the building. However, for you to enjoy optimal services from these devices, it is advisable to seek the services of a professional locksmith. These experts will advise you in purchasing the right devices, install the exit devices and carry out regular maintenance routines for ultimate safety in case of an emergency.

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Tempe, Arizona Fire Codes And How They Pertain To Exit Devices

The city of Tempe, Arizona has recently amended some of its fire codes regulations to enable them to be at par with the 2006 international fire code laws. Specifically, when it comes to the new Tempe, Arizona fire codes and how they pertain to exit devices, below are some of the most notable amendments which have been enacted, thanks to tempelocksmithpros.com.

Door, gates and turnstiles

The whole of section 1008 of the new city of Tempe fire codes primarily dwell on the recommended features and functions of exit doors, gate and turnstiles. To begin with, a floor elevation is mandatorily on either side of the exit door, both featuring a similar elevation height. Nonetheless, there are several exceptions to this guideline. For instance, exit doors that serve dwelling units in group R-1 and R-2 buildings (hotels and residential units with 2 sleeping units respectively) are not affected by this law.

In such buildings, an exit door is allowed to open at the topmost step of an interior flight of stairs. That is as long as this exit door can swing easily over the topmost step of such a flight of stairs. Additionally, in such buildings, storm door and screen doors are also permissible if they can swing over the stairs or landing. Houses with external decks, patios or even balconies are also excluded from this given guideline of the Tempe, Arizona fire codes rule. Most especially if they are features of a type B (lowest building fire hazard level). In such units, an impervious surface, which is less than 4” beneath the finished floor level of an adjacent interior area is allowable. That is as long as the exit door (excluding storm or screen doors) doesn’t swing over the landing when opened.

Locks and latches

exit bar installingSection 1008. of the new city of Tempe, Arizona fire codes dwells on the locks and latches that can be equipped to exit devices. According to this regulation, locks and latches are permissible when they can be in a position of preventing the operations of such devices in the following circumstances. First of all, buildings that are used for correction or detention of convicts such as jails or penitentiaries. Buildings which are categorized as occupancy group A (moderate fire hazard level) with occupancy of three hundred or below. Group B, F, M and S (moderate to lowest risk of fire hazards) and also places of worship like churches. In the latter category, these kinds of building are allowed by the new guidelines to be fitted with key lockable exit devices, which are positioned on the egress side.

On the other hand, in the cases where egress doors happen to be utilized in pairs, approved automatic flush bolts are also permissible. That is as long as the given door leaf that bears the automatic flush bolts does not come with a door knob or any surface mounted hardware.

At the same time, group R, division 3 occupancy as well as individual dwelling units and guestrooms are also mentioned by the new Tempe, Arizona fire codes. The exit doors of these given buildings are now required by the law to be fitted with night latches, keyed deadbolts or even security chains. The only stipulation for equipping the exit doors with these devices is that they can be conveniently from the interior part of the building without having to use a tool.

Finally, the section 1008 of the amended Tempe city fire codes has now made it mandatory for an easily readable and durable signage to be posted on the egress side close to the exit doors. Such a sign must clearly state “This door is to remain unlocked whenever this building is occupied.”

Exit discharge

exit device3The section 1024 of the amended city of Tempe, Arizona fire codes, for the most part, offers guidelines on the right exit discharges building ought to have. Such exit discharges should offer a direct and unobstructed access to a public way. In the event where this is not possible, a safe dispersal region must be allocated on such properties.

This dispersal region should be able to accommodate not less than five square feet for each individual in the event of a fire outbreak. At the same time, it should also be located within the same property, and not more than fifty feet away from the building, which might need egress. Finally, such a dispersal region should come with a safe and unobstructed path from the building in question.

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Understanding Exit Devices

Most buildings all over the world are inspected yearly to ensure that they comply with the set standards in terms of safety and more. After thorough inspection, fire department provides you with a full report to help you make the necessary corrections if any. However, such inspections vary from one state to the other and therefore it is essential to understand the fire codes of your state before you commence your construction. Note that codes remind you of the things that should be met and the kind of exit devices, fire-alarm system, and fire sprinkler system to be installed.
Before you install the above systems, it is prudent to involve a specialist who understands how to install the needed systems properly.
Resources:
www.tigardlocksmith.org
grainger.com
homedepot.com

Exit Devices

They are also known as panic device, push bar or panic bar. These devices are used for unlocking the door during emergency situations. Today, each and every building should comply with the building codes, which make sure that every public building has at least one exit device. Fortunately, crash bar can be installed in a wide range of door types as a way to save lives in the event of fire, stampedes, terrorism attack and more. It has been found that panic can occur in situations of fire or explosions making the rescue process a bit tricky, but with exit devices, evacuations will be far much easy.

A door designated for exit does not have a handle on the outside. This feature makes sure that your home is secure. However, some doors meant for exit have been fitted with handles on the outside and inside as well. Such doors can be opened freely from either side allowing occupants to enter or exit the building with a lot of easy.

Factors to Consider when Installing Panic Devices

Ease of Installation

Commercial locksmith3Always choose the panic bars that are easy to install, repair and inexpensive to replace. For instance, a crossbar rim device the easiest to assemble. If you do not like crossbar, you may consider using push pad rim device, which is also the simplest to work with and needs no or little maintenance. Pad rim devices are suitable for buildings with high-traffic.

Safety

When installing an exit device, you should bear in mind the safety of your loved ones. A good panic device should comply with ANSI Grade 1 standards. In other words, devices should be designed in such a way that they can tolerate forced entry.

Available Options

Panic devices come in a wide range of options. As a result, you should choose the option that suits your safety needs. Many people prefer using cross bar devices due to the fact they offer incredible architectural finishing as well as available in a variety of colors.

Applications of Exit Devices

In general, panic bars are commonly used in care centers, learning institutions, retail stores, hospitals offices and more. These devices play a role in ensuring that the work place is secure and safe.

Types

The common types include: multi-point, rim, cable, touchpad, recessed, crossbar and mortise exit devices respectively. All these types comply with building codes while enhancing the safety of your property. In addition, they match different door types since they come in different shapes and colors.

Fire Codes

Fire CodesFire safety codes complement the building code. Generally, fire codes play an important role in preventing fires and make sure that the original plan of a structure is not compromised at all. These codes vary from state to state.
To comply with life safety codes, you should install exit devices in particular cases. These codes forbid the use of locks that may confuse or compromise the safety of the user. To enhance safety, fire devices should be self-latching in event of fire. Apart from being self-latching, fire doors should be able to close to prevent fire from spreading.
In most households, security, life safety and fire can be a day-to-day challenge. Some homeowners view security as a major concern and therefore end up securing their homes with unauthorized locks, which may pose risks to users in case of an emergency. It is advisable to go for an option that satisfies both concerns: life safety and security. Feel free to talk to fire inspector to help you through exit devices and their fire codes, so as to make an informed decision at the end of the day. This way, you will be able to make your home safe and secure for all.

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Why You Should Use A Locksmith To Install Exit Devices

Exit devices have become an indispensable part of life. Using these devices, one can easily open the doors from inside as they allow the doors to swing towards the direction people are exiting to. This gives more room to the people to move. Consequently, they help people to escape from fire as well as other mishaps that might occur in a work or house premises. Exit devices do not block the person who opens the door. This is extremely helpful in case of emergencies. Because of these devices, people don’t have a hard time to open the door. These devices are ideal in preventing people from hurting themselves whenever there is an emergency. However, for you to get the most ideal services from exit devices, you need to hire locksmith experts to install and maintain them. Here are various reasons why you should use a locksmith to install exit devices, thanks to the guys over at www.evkeys.net:

Security for your infrastructure: For building your business infrastructure you have to invest an enormous sum of money. After a massive investment, it becomes critical for you to protect the valuable structure from man-made disasters like thefts. You have to take advantages of the security services provided by professional organizations like locksmiths London.

CCTV CamerasProper surveillance and maintenance of the exit devices: Along with the structure, it is equally important for a business to keep its valuable and sensitive information and documents safe from thieves and competitors. So your business needs a comprehensive security network designed and maintained by experienced professionals. The security system should be designed in such a way that it must simultaneously protect your valuable business premises as well as valuable documents and information. By engaging a professional locksmith for taking care of your security concerns you can relax and stop worrying about the safety of the business once you have left the office.

Advanced security techniques: Similar to other fields, the security techniques used in exit devices have also advanced much along with the advancement of technology. From the old security systems using locks the exit devices systems have improved till the usage of codes and CCTV cameras. These modern security techniques can track and provide protection to each of the activities taking place inside your business premises. By hiring locksmiths with their experience and expertise in security techniques understand the complete security requirement for your company and install a comprehensive system accordingly.

Commercial Entry DoorComplete security plan: Locksmith experts make a detailed and well-devised plan to secure your premises from the entry and exit doors to the safes and drawers along with proper management. After discussing the plan with you, the company can accurately implement it to safeguard all aspects of your business premises. Along with properly installed monitoring CCTV cameras, you can get a complete picture of your premises and install an advanced alarm system to strengthen your security.

Aspects of the business security system: Locksmiths take into consideration all important security aspects of managing a security system efficiently and installs the security system accordingly. After installing the security systems all around your business premises, it becomes more necessary to manage the installed security system in a more efficient manner. As you may also want to restrict all or some of your employees from accessing some particular parts of the business premises, the exit devices security system has to be designed accordingly. Only a locksmith company that has the required experience and expertise can offer you effective solutions for these restrictions and security.

Reliability of the exit devices security service provider: Security of business is one of your most serious concerns, and you have to use the services of an experienced professional locksmith. Normally, a locksmith company has the required expertise and experience in securing other businesses as they are duly insured and licensed. Also, you can trust the locksmith company that has been in the security business for a long time and has gathered enough experience over the years. As your local agency, the company can help in whenever security is required.

Locksmiths provide security installation and maintenance solutions to different types of commercial buildings. For a modern business, it is equally important to safeguard its sensitive documents and information of the enterprise just like other valuable properties. You need to hire professional security providers for building and maintaining a comprehensive exit devices security system for your business to keep it safe.

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Hiring The Right Commercial Locksmith

Security is a major concern when it comes to businesses, homes and other places. This, therefore, means that you have to find ways in which you will enhance security at those particular places. There are various ways in which you can boost the security of your home or business such as installing security devices, employing security personnel and so on. You can also entrust it to the services of a commercial locksmith.

Whether you need to get into safes or door locks, it is essential that you contact the best company available to help you out. There is just nothing worse than being locked out of your car, home, or safe and not knowing what to do because you have left your keys in another area.
Resources:
queencreeklocksmith.com
www.homedepot.com

Commercial locksmith2Commercial locksmith companies are also good with rekeying locks so that you will find it easier to get into a locked building or car. Before you deal with this problem, you should have with you a phone number of a good locksmith that you can call if you need to get into door locks or safes. The professional will come and estimate how much it will cost to get into the building or car, depending on how much work is involved and how long the entire process will take. For most locksmiths, they can get into door locks within minutes, and you will be able to get back to life in no time at all.

Whether you are looking into re-keying locks or you, want to open the safes in your home that you have lost the key to, it is important that you make use of a good quality locksmith. Many people attempt to break their locks, and they may wind up damaging their car or home door because of it. Instead of damaging expensive items that you own, a commercial locksmith Boston company should be contacted to get the job done right. A commercial locksmith Boston company will be able to deal with door locks and safes that may be becoming a major problem.

When you have a building, you will be able to hire the services of a commercial locksmith so as to offer comprehensive security systems in your building. With the right security systems, you will not need to worry about your home, company or any other business. There are various locksmith services that you can get a locksmith. You need to be well acquainted with them so as to select the service that will meet your needs.

Commercial locksmith services

Commercial locksmith31. Upgrading locks are one service that you will get from these professionals. In case you are feeling insecure with your current locks, it is possible to have your locks upgraded at no extra cost so as to meet your needs. Before these locks are upgraded, you will be educated on the various upgrades to enable you to select the best upgrade.

2. There are some cases where locks get damaged. Instead of buying new locks, it is possible to have your locks repaired. This means that when you break your lock or when it gets worn out, you can opt for locksmith services to have them repaired. The technology used in repairing these locks is modern and of high quality that ensures that the lock is in secure condition so as to enhance your security. More so, repairing locks is quite cost effective when compared to buying new locks.

3. There are some cases where you can lock yourself out of your business without your knowledge. You might come to work one morning and find that your business has been locked. Commercial lockouts are also another service that you can get. There is the quick response so as to ensure that the locks are opened promptly without interrupting your business. Time is imperative when it comes to business. Hence, you need to ensure that these locks are quickly attended to.

Above all, the price is imperative in every business. This means that you need to determine the price of these services. Also, consider the quality and experience of the locksmiths to get a clear picture of the services that you will receive. It is good to go for experienced professionals who utilize modern technology in offering their services.

It is always good to be prepared for this type of emergency before it happens. To prevent this, you will need to keep the number of the locksmith in your phone so that they can deal with rekeying locks that you do not have the original for. By ensuring that you have the company’s number on you at all times for rekeying locks, you will be amazed at the peace of mind that you can achieve while you are out and about.

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Importance of Exit Devices at Home and Work

Exit devices are also known as panic bars , panic devices, or push bars. This device plays an important role in unlocking a door during emergency cases. The device contains a spring loaded metal bar that is fitted to the inside of a doorway that is typically opened outward. When the lever is depressed or pushed, the push bar is stimulated to initiate a mechanism that unlatches the door in order to allow the residents to exit from the house. This implies that exit bar is a crucial device that can save lives in a situation of fire . It is worth noting that all building must comply with the ADA as well as ANSI 117.1. In addition, push bar promote security with allowed entrance features. The designated places should have fire, exit, and smoke signs.

If you want to buy one for your home, it is vital to look for a reputable contractor who sells push bars and exit devices at an affordable price. Here are the benefits of buying and installing genuine exit devices, brought to you by our friends at www.littletonlocksmith.net:

Panic devices are available in a wide range of options

exit device5There are many types of panic bars on the market, but choosing the right one for your building can be a daunting activity. Some of the panic bars come with an alarm to deter unauthorized exit. There are those bars that come in a wide range of designs and costs, so as to allow the individuals or companies to buy the perfect devices that meet their needs and budget.

Safety

This is one of the top leading benefits of push bars. A good panic bar should be able to allow evacuation of people in an emergency situation. To boost safety, push bars are installed on the inside of the exit in order to ensure that the door can remain locked at all times, especially on the people on the outside of the building to prevent people from accessing the house without permission. Additionally, panic devices can be fitted with alarms so as to detect any unauthorized exit from the apartment. It is prudent to look for a talented and experienced locksmith to install the panic device and ensure that it is functioning properly.

Reduced Insurance Rates

Real estate owners are looking for ways to enhance both security and safety while ensuring that the budget remain low. Push bars provide long term solution to this issue since they make it easy to evacuate people in case of fire or any hazard. However, one should make sure that devices are installed according to the set standards and guidelines. When these bars are installed properly, it can lead to reduction in the annual premiums paid by the facility. This is because the amount of premium paid is determined by the likelihood of the risk happening. This means that if your building do not have push bars installed, then you will pay higher premiums because your building do not meet safety measures and hence risky.

The Devices are Affordable

savingsExit devices are less expensive than the normal doors. There are cheaper options that will cost you about $100, but the best models can cost you up to $300. However, if you are installing at least two panic bars, the locksmith can offer you a discount on the total cost. In addition, source the parts or materials from a trusted supplier who sells push bars and exit devices at a reasonable price.

Exit Devices Are Both Efficient and Effective

Exit devices have proved to be effective and efficient. For this reason, it is a requirement to install them in a variety of commercial buildings across the world. In fact, for some buildings, it has been made compulsory. There are some cases of situations that have happened over the past years in various parts of the world. These tragedies could have been more tragic, especially if the movie theaters or learning institutions that these emergencies occurred at did not have panic bars on all the emergency doors. Push bars serve to promote faster and efficient way to evacuate people from the facility.

If your building is not equipped with exit bars, then you should look for a remarkable contractor to install at least one for you. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

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Tips When Shopping For Emergency Exit Bars

exit1Adding an emergency exit bar is an excellent safety feature as it bypasses door locks thereby providing you with an instant exit pathway in the event of an emergency. Panic/ emergency bars are designed to permit exit irrespective of the lock system installed in an emergency door. Commonly, these bars are installed on doors labeled “Fire Exit/Door”. Most of these bars come with an inbuilt alarm so that once the door is opened, an alarm is triggered. Depending on the type of bar you are using, there are some that are set in a way such that once the alarm is triggered, all the other emergency exits open automatically.
Resources:
www.beverlyhillslocksmith.org
us.allegion.com
dorma.com

Whether you are shopping for an emergency exit bar for use at home or in your office, there are some shopping tips you need to consider for you to buy the best quality bars. These tips include:

Meeting the set safety requirements

Depending on where you live, there are some safety requirements for emergency exit bars put in place by the relevant authorities. Most of these requirements aim at ensuring that the bars are up to the mark as far as functionality and efficiency are concerned. For instance, in the USA, it is required that these bars can be opened by anyone from indoors without requiring a key. This is because of the reason that in most emergencies, there is usually very little time to get out to safety. The hardware in the bar should be certified and bear a mark of quality as a guarantee of the reliability of the bars.

Compatibility with security systems

Emergency exit bar hardware systems should be compatible with existing security systems in the doors that they are being installed on. These security systems include fire alarm systems and auto-lock security systems. The compatibility of bar hardware systems with other security systems is very important so that in the event of an emergency, neither of the systems fails due to one system overriding the other. An exit bar hardware that is not compatible with other security systems can cause a serious security problem in case the hardware fails to work during an emergency. You can end up remaining trapped in the house or office.

Type of bars

Emergency exit bars come in different dimensions and specifications with different features. The common types are long bar styles (common in large retailers like supermarkets and banking halls) and small lever bar styles (found in homes and small & medium sized offices). Before making any purchase of these bars, be sure to measure the size dimensions of your door so that you purchase a fitting bar.

Self installation- Can you install the bar you want to purchase on your own?

exit2Unless you are experienced in handling emergency exit bars, then you will most likely need professional help in purchasing and installing these bars. Despite these bars not being complicated to install, you may need to hire an expert to install the bar for you especially if there are other security systems on the door. However, if there are no other systems in the door, then you can install the bars by yourself as you only require drilling in screws and reinforcing the bar to the door.

Affordability

When shopping for the best emergency exit bars, it is important to ensure that you consider the cost of each type of bar. There are some bars that are very expensive while others are relatively affordable. While the best quality bars cost an upward of $300, there are other cheaper bars that cost as little as $100. When considering the cost of these bars, it is important to be very careful so that you do not settle for a low quality bar that will most likely be inefficient and unreliable.

Insurable emergency exit bars

Always ensure that the emergency exit bar you want to purchase is insurable. Such bars are a great choice in that in the event of any security breach due to the failure of the bar, you will receive compensation. However, insurance companies only insure the best quality bars as such bars are not only efficient but also their likelihood to fail is next to zero.

Tragedies such as the Colorado theater shootings and the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary could have been more fatal if there were no emergency exit bars installed on the doors. These bars provide a faster and more effective exit avenue for people to use in the event of an unexpected emergency such as a shooting. It is important to note that not all emergency situations require people to remain calm. Others like shootings require quick action as any delays can lead to death.

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Can I Install An Exit Bar Myself?

The function of exit bar can be clearly understood from its name. As the name suggests, the bar allows a safe exit for the home businesses, hospitals, and other vital installations at the time of emergency. With this exit bar, there is no need to break or open the lock as you can easily bypass the lock. This is all about the function of an exit bar. In general, people hire locksmiths to install exit bar on their doors. Thanks to the guys over at sunlakeslocksmith.com, this article gives answer to the question “can I install an exit bar myself?”

 

Questions that you must ask yourself before planning to install an exit bar yourself

exit bar installingBefore planning to install an exit bar by yourself, you must calculate or know about the traffic that the exit bar is going to handle. It may be heavy, medium or low. Then coming to set up, you should be sure about installing a dual or single set up. You should determine whether you are going to use the exit door for entry purposes or not. You should check whether you should be careful about the hardware finish or the color pattern of the exit bar. Finally, you should decide whether you are going to add lock or alarm on the door where you are going to install an exit bar.

 

You should follow the standards as prescribed by Department of labor and occupational safety and health administration

exit bar barracadeYou need to abide by the OSHA standards if you are going to install an exit bar in a segregated commercial building. As per the OSHA standards, all such installations need to have exit doors. The doors should be enabled with exit mechanism which can be opened by everybody without using the lock. Apart from all these standard requirements, the hardware of exit bar should meet the ANSI requirements. It is quite easy to get standard grade hardware for your exit bar. Most of the companies manufacture products that match with the prescribed standards of the American National Standards Institute.

 

Different exit bars available and self-installation guide

Generally the type of exit bar that you are going to use is dependent on the measurements of your door. Before you go shopping you should measure your door size.

 

What are you going to need for self-installation of an exit bar?

* A measurement tape

* Hacksaw

* Drill

* Exit bar

* Exit bar strike

* Hole saw

 

Installation steps

Step#1: Measurement of your door

Measure doorFor installing an exit bar, the measurement of door width is pretty important. Apart from that you need to measure the distance between the door stop on the face of the door till the location of the lock. You should pick an exit bar of length 1.5” less than the distance measured for operational convenience. The length of exit bars available in the market is of 3 to 4 feet. To fix the bar to your door, you need to cut the exit bar to fit your door.

 

Step#2: Trim and strike

Depending upon the function of your exit door, you can select the trim. Some people like to use their exit door for entry purposes. Most of the people use simple lever trim. You can choose a strike for your door depending upon the top of your door and the frame.

 

Step#3: Start boring holes on your door

Strike templates give you direction about where you are going to install the exit bar on your door. You need to cut a hole on if you are going to use the door for entry purpose too. The main purpose of using hole saw is to make a hole for accommodating the cylinder. With the help of the drill, you can make holes n your door as shown on the template.

 

Step#4: Fastening the exit bar

Now it is time to put the exit bar in the door and fasten it with the help of screws and thru-bolts. Then you should put the end caps on the screws so that the panic bar doesn’t fall off. You can install the trip and cylinders on your exit bar to make sure you can enter from outside.

 

Step#5: Check how your exit bar works

You need to fasten the strike to check whether the exit bar works or not. You may need to adjust the strike time and again to make your exit bar work properly.

 

Conclusion

The article provides you the entire information regarding installation of an exit bar. If you fail to implement the methods mentioned above, you must call the locksmiths without wasting much time.

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Panic Devices or Fire Devices? Which One Should You Invest In?

Any building or infrastructure is guided by certain standards that are set by the local government. This is to ensure the quality of the building, as well as the safety of the people who will be using the building. Without a clear and effective safety plan for emergencies, employees and residents of such structures will be in danger of the inability to exit easily whenever there is a calamity, a disaster, or any unfortunate event that may take place.
Remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks? That was a very horrible sight of people running for their lives, some even jumping out of the building due to panic. Almost 3000 people died during the attack, and millions were affected afterwards. That particular event shook the whole world and paved the way for another series of attacks in retaliation to the terrorists’ inhumanity. There is no way we can control such things from happening again, or anything similar, that is. In reality, the only thing we can do is prepare for the worst, and equip ourselves with the best and most trusted devices that will give us better chances of surviving such unwanted occurrences.
And while almost everyone is concerned about their safety, building managers are sometimes confused as to which safety devices they should invest in—panic devices or fire devices? There are plenty of equipment that can be used to protect residents and dwellers of infrastructures, big and small, private and commercial. However, not everything that is advertised is actually good, durable, and good for long term use. Moreover, they may not always be good for your finances. One of the most confusing decisions that you will have to make is whether you should install panic devices or fire devices for emergencies. BurbankLocksmith.org tells you the differences.

What are panic devices?

panic devicePanic devices are required to be installed on doors that provide easy egress to people in places where high volume of traffic is normally expected. These places include schools, assembly areas, and dangerous habitations. Panic devices are a type of hardware that involves a hand bar with a size that is at least half of the door width. Otherwise, the panic device will not pass standards set by the UL 305, known as the Panic Hardware test standard.
Panic devices are now available in different models, but technically work using the same mechanism—allowing for easy opening of the door by applying force on the crossbar or touchpad. The same code requires a maximum of 15 pounds in force to be able to open the door.
The main difference that sets panic devices apart from fire doors is the dogging feature, which can be mechanical or electrical, depending on the type of the device. This feature enables you to hold the latch in a retracted position, so that people can continuously enter and exit the premises without constantly pushing the touchpad. As a result, your device is spared from quick wear and tear.

What are Fire Devices?

fire exitFire devices, also known as fire exit hardware, are used for fire doors under particular standards set by the UL 10C – Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies. Fire devices are to be installed with both panic and fire labels.
They do not have the mechanical dogging feature, since fire doors are supposed to lock automatically whenever the door closes. This is to make sure that, in the event of pressurized air from fire, the door will be closed and will prevent it from spreading to the other side. Fire devices, however, can be retracted using electric latch dogging systems that are linked to the fire alarm system. Others use hold-open door closers to keep them open when needed.
Most often than not, fire devices are not installed on the exterior egress ways of a premise, since they are often locked and secured from outside intruders.
Which one to choose?
Panic and fire devices are equally important and serve different purposes. While the best way to ensure safety is to install both on strategic doors, one can also choose one over the other at a sooner time, when the budget does not allow for both. Panic devices should be chosen, at this point in time, since they are focused on providing easy exit ways for people in the premises. Saving the entire building from fire using fire devices can come thereafter.

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Learning the Basics of Exit Devices

An exit device is installed on the secure side of an out swinging door. These devices are designed to restrict access towards the inside while providing free egress. Exit devices were developed after several incidents of building fires in the United States that claimed hundreds of lives. Through the development of these devices, problems of being crushed against the door have significantly diminished. Such problem previously existed as people did not have the knowledge on how to open closed doors or they simply did not have the time to unlock and open the door, which resulted to accidents and injuries. The following is some useful information brought to you by the guys down at Diamondback lock and key in Chandler.

Traditional Exit Device

traditionalEarly exit devices were designed using a metal tube placed between two cases. The cases were placed on each side of the door. The first case is considered the active case. This comes with a latch bolt which would retract when the tube is pushed downward or forward. This would allow the door to swing open.

The traditional design of the exit device is continuously being offered by several manufacturers. However, with recent developments in the industry, this device has evolved over the past decade. In fact, exit devices now come with rail style mechanism that makes use of forward mounted push pad. A horizontal force applied to the pad will release the door.

The Three Types of Exit Devices

Today, there are three common types of exit devices. These are the rim, the mortise lock and the vertical rod.

Rim Exit Devices

The most common type is the rim exit device. This device is designed with a latching mechanism that is similar to rim locks. The rim locks and rim exit devices are mounted and placed on the secured side of the door. This type of exit device is considered a self contained door lock mechanism. Its latch is located at the center chassis or case. In addition, the latch of this type of exit device is surface mounted, which slides over the strike that is also mounted on the surface. This type also comes with a dead latching mechanism, which prevents that latch from being forcibly retracting. This prevents any unauthorized access.

Mortise Lock Exit Devices

mortiseThe mortise lock style on exit devices, on the other hand, is incorporated with a mortise lock without the deadbolt being mounted on its door pocket. For this style, the mortise lock is considered a part of the exit device. It is important to take note that a standard mortise lock is not designed to work as an exit device. The mechanism of this type of exit device allows the door to swing out whenever the push bar is pressed. When this happens, the spindle will rotate and retract the latch bolt, allowing the door to swing out. In addition, this device comes with an exterior trim which contains the lock cylinder. This device is often installed on the active leaf of a pair of doors.

Vertical Rod Exit Device

The vertical rod exit device is available in concealed versions. This device comes with a rod which connects the push pad to the bottom and top latches. This type of exit device can be configured as a top rod or top and bottom rod.

Installation Options

Most types of exit devices can actually be installed on wood, aluminum and hollow metal doors, provided that the stile is compatible with the device. However, there are also exit devices that are specifically created for aluminum doors that come with narrow stiles. This type of exit device comes with a narrow center chassis or case. This standard stile measures more than two inches wide while the narrow stile measures less than two inches wide.

An exit device can be installed with or without an exterior trim. There are varied trim choices to choose from. The trim types include keyed trim, pull handles, lever trim and electrified trim. In choosing the trim, it is important to take note that the stile choice will affect the dimensions of the exit device as well as the trim.

It is essential to take note of the basic information of exit devices before purchasing and installing one on your door. The choice of exit devices will depend on various factors like the type of door that you have as well as your door needs and preferences.

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