Panic Bar Installation in Claymont, DE

When a business door in Claymont must stay locked from outside, people inside still need a way to get out.

A panic bar releases the latch when someone pushes it from inside, while the outside stays locked. We install these devices on business entrances and exits, with attention to how you need the opening to work from each side. An outside handle operated by a key is one option if you need to enter through the same opening. You can also choose a setup with no outside entry.

For a pair of doors in Claymont, the setup depends on which side people use and whether both need to open for exit. We install an exit device on one or both sides to suit the opening. If an exit sticks or drags, adding a push device alone may not solve the problem. The door needs to move and latch properly for the hardware to operate as intended. Avoid forcing it, since that can make the sticking worse.

We start by looking at the door, its frame and the way it closes.

If it sticks or drags, we look for what is keeping it from moving freely, since an exit device needs the opening to close and latch properly. For a pair of doors, we check how the two leaves meet and which one you use for entry. We also look at the existing hardware and the space available for a push bar.

Before work begins, we explain the installation and the choices for keeping entry from outside locked while allowing people to leave with a push. You may want an outside handle operated by a key, or no exterior handle if the opening is for exit only. We explain how each choice affects access and what the existing setup will accommodate. After installation, we test the push action, closing and outside access with you, so you can see how the setup works and raise any concerns about its operation.

After a worn exit device is replaced, keep the path to the exit clear.

When it is safe to do so, test the door by pushing from inside. It should open without lifting, pulling, or forcing it. If you have a keyed outside handle, check that it works as intended and that the entrance stays locked from outside when you need it to. Avoid wedging the door open, since it may not protect the space as intended.

Watch for sticking, dragging, or an exit that needs an extra shove. On a pair of doors, check that both sides close fully and neither catches on the other. Wipe the push surface with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid spraying cleaner into the mechanism or adding lubricant unless the manufacturer recommends it. If normal pressure no longer opens the exit, or the key stops working as intended, call us to inspect the problem. Do not force the hardware or take it apart.