Commercial Push Bar Door Locks: Essential Solutions for Emergency Exits

In commercial buildings, safety is a top priority, especially when it comes to emergency exits. Commercial push bar door locks, also known as panic hardware or exit devices, are essential components designed to ensure quick and safe egress during emergencies. These devices are widely used in high-traffic areas like schools, hospitals, offices, and shopping malls, where secure yet easily accessible exits are critical.

In this article, we’ll explore what commercial push bar door locks are, their types, accessories, and applications. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions and explain why Camax Hardware is your trusted partner for high-quality panic hardware solutions.

What Are The Commercial Push Bar Door Locks?

Commercial push bar door locks, also known as panic hardware or panic bar door lock, are door locking mechanisms designed to ensure quick and easy exit from a building during emergencies. These systems feature a horizontal bar that is activated by pushing, instantly unlocking the door to provide a safe exit. Their main purpose is to offer a rapid escape route in situations where time is critical, such as during a fire, natural disaster, or other emergencies.

1. Importance in Commercial Buildings

In commercial environments, a reliable exit strategy is vital for safety, particularly in high-traffic areas or places with large crowds. Public buildings, hospitals, schools, malls, and offices all benefit from push bar door locks, which provide quick, unobstructed exits during emergencies. These locks minimize panic and ensure compliance with safety standards. Without the right hardware, doors may become difficult to operate in emergencies, putting people at risk and violating building codes. Push bar locks are essential for maintaining safety and ensuring smooth, accessible exit routes in high-stress situations.

2. Safety Features

Commercial doors with push bar are designed with essential safety features, making them ideal for commercial environments. The key benefit is their quick, tool-free operation, allowing individuals to exit with a simple push in emergencies. This feature is crucial during high-pressure situations like fires or evacuations, where every second counts. These locks are typically fail-safe, unlocking under pressure to provide immediate access to safe exits. Many models also include mechanisms that automatically reset after pressure is released, ensuring the door remains unlocked throughout an emergency, providing continuous safety and smooth evacuation.

Types of Commercial Push Bar Door Locks

Camax Hardware offers a wide range of panic hardware that provides reliable and compliant solutions for commercial spaces. Below are some of the types of commercial push bar door locks available:

1. Touch Bar Exit Devices

Touch bar exit devices are some of the most popular commercial push bar locks. These devices consist of a horizontal bar that is easy to operate—users simply push the bar to unlock the door. Touch bar devices are often used in high-traffic areas where easy and quick exits are needed. Camax’s touch bar exit devices are certified to ANSI, BHMA, UL, CE, and fire ratings, making them suitable for commercial spaces that require the highest standards of safety.

2. Cross Bar Exit Devices

Cross bar exit devices are another commonly used solution. Camax’s cross bar exit devices feature a bar that spans horizontally across the width of the door. When pushed, the lock mechanism is disengaged, allowing for a swift exit. Cross bar systems are widely used in both commercial and industrial spaces, offering an easy and reliable escape route in emergency situations.

3. Concealed Exit Devices

Concealed exit devices are designed to provide a sleek and unobtrusive appearance while still maintaining full functionality. These devices are hidden within the door frame and are activated by a concealed touch or push mechanism. Camax Hardware’s concealed exit devices are commonly used in areas where aesthetics are important, such as office buildings, hotels, and other modern commercial spaces. Despite their hidden design, these locks offer the same level of safety and efficiency as other panic hardware options.

4. Vertical Rod Exit Devices

Vertical rod exit devices are commonly used on double doors and provide an added layer of security. Camax’s vertical rod exit devices feature rods that extend vertically from the top and bottom of the door, locking and unlocking with the push bar mechanism. Vertical rod exit devices are highly secure and are ideal for environments where fire safety and security are top priorities.

Accessories Working with Panic Hardware

While panic hardware serves as the primary locking mechanism, several other accessories are used in conjunction with these systems to ensure maximum security and functionality.

1. Trim

Trim refers to the hardware that enables the door to be unlocked and opened from the outside. For Camax Hardware’s trims, they include key cylinders, handles, and other components that allow authorized personnel to operate the door. It’s important for commercial buildings to have easy-to-use trim that doesn’t compromise the security of the exit device itself.

2. Mortise Lock

A mortise lock is a type of locking mechanism that is commonly used in commercial door systems. The mortise exit device is typically installed into the door’s edge, offering a secure method of locking the door from the outside. Mortise locks are ideal for securing properties when the door is not in use and are often paired with push bar exit devices to provide both security and emergency access.