Panic Bar Installation in Chester, PA

When a business door in Chester needs to stay locked from outside, people inside still need a clear way out.

We install panic bars that release the door when someone pushes from the inside. You can keep the outside locked without giving up that push to exit. If you also need a way to enter from outside, an outside handle operated by a key is an option. That choice gives keyholders access while keeping entry restricted to others.

A pair of doors calls for a different choice than a single door. We look at whether one or both sides need to open for exit and how the doors meet when closed. If an exit door sticks or drags, the new hardware may not operate properly until the cause is addressed. In Chester, we assess the door and its existing hardware so you know whether installation is suitable as it stands or whether the door needs separate work first.

We start by looking at how your exit door moves and where it catches when you push it.

We check the opening, the existing hardware and how the latch meets its strike. If the bottom drags, correction beyond the installation may be needed. We explain what we find before starting and whether that work is something we can handle. You can show us whether it takes extra force to get out.

Before installation, we explain the choices that fit your entrance. You may want a panic bar that keeps the outside locked, or an outside handle operated with a key while people can still exit with a push. If you have a pair of doors, we look at how both leaves meet and explain what each one needs. Once the device is in place, we check it with you. We push from inside, see that the latch releases and try the outside access you chose. We also look for rubbing or resistance that could make the exit harder to use.

Check that the door opens with a push from inside and closes fully behind you.

From outside, confirm that it stays locked when it should, and use your key to check the handle if you have one. Keep the exit path clear and avoid propping the door open, since that leaves the entrance unsecured. Make sure anyone who relies on this exit knows how to use it.

Wipe the push bar with a soft, damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid soaking the mechanism or applying oil unless its care instructions call for it. Watch for dragging, a loose bar, a latch that does not catch, or a push that takes unusual force. Don't force a sticking exit or try to adjust the hardware yourself. Call us if you notice any of these problems, or if the outside handle no longer stays locked, so we can check what is causing the trouble.