Panic Bar Installation in Swarthmore, PA

When your business door needs to stay locked on the street side, you still need a straightforward way out.

In Swarthmore, we install panic bars and exit devices that release the door when you push from inside. An outside handle with a key is one option if you want controlled entry as well as an exit. Another choice is to leave the outside without a handle, so entry takes place through a different door. Neither choice should require a key to get out.

A pair of doors needs a setup that takes both sides into account. We install hardware suited to the way the two doors meet and to which side you need to use for entry. If an exit sticks or drags, new hardware alone may not address what is keeping it from moving freely. Avoid forcing the door or blocking the exit, and tell us what you have noticed. For businesses in Swarthmore, we consider the condition of the door and the access you need when recommending an installation.

We first examine the exit and its existing hardware, including whether the door sticks or drags as it closes.

With a pair of doors, we look at how the two sides meet and which one you use for entry. We check whether the opening is suitable for the device and point out anything that could interfere with its operation. If it does not close properly, we explain what we find and whether that issue needs separate attention before installation.

Before work begins, we explain the choices for keeping the exit locked from outside. A keyed outside handle gives you a way to enter, while an installation with no exterior handle means using another entrance. We also explain how a push from inside releases the latch when the exterior is locked. After installation, we check the operation with you, making sure the exit opens with a push and closes and latches. We check the outside access arrangement too, including the key if you choose that option. If anything catches during these checks, we explain what we find.

On a rear delivery door, keep boxes, carts and packaging clear of the exit path on both sides.

Avoid wedging it open or hanging items from the panic bar. To check its operation, push from inside and make sure it opens without catching. If the outside is kept locked, take your key with you before testing the outside handle so you do not get locked out.

Watch for a bar that feels loose, a latch that fails to catch, or an exit that sticks or drags. Don't force the opening or try to adjust the hardware yourself. If you notice any of these problems, or if the outside key no longer works as expected, call us to check the installation. Use another available exit if the opening is not working properly, and tell the person responsible for the building.