🔒 Panic Bars What They Are, Why You Need Them, and How Atlantic Locksmith Can Help
Whether you’re managing a busy office, a retail space, or an apartment complex, panic bars play a critical role in building safety and security. At Atlantic Locksmith, we install and service panic bars across Halifax, Dartmouth, and surrounding areas to keep your doors compliant, secure, and easy to exit in an emergency.
Let’s answer some of the most common questions people have about panic bars — and explain how they protect your property and your people.
❓ What Is the Purpose of a Panic Bar?
A panic bar, also known as an exit device, is a push bar installed on the inside of a door that allows for quick and easy exit. It’s designed for emergency situations — like fires, power outages, or security threats — where people need to exit the building fast and without fumbling with locks or keys.
Why it matters:
- Prevents crowding or bottlenecks at exits
- Increases safety for employees, tenants, and customers
- Complies with Nova Scotia fire and building codes
- Minimizes liability for property owners
At Atlantic Locksmith, we make sure your panic bars are code-compliant, properly installed, and fully functional.
❓ What’s the Difference Between a Panic Bar and a Crash Bar?
Both terms are often used interchangeably, but here’s the distinction:
- Panic Bar: Specifically designed for emergency exit situations. It meets building and fire codes and is typically required for commercial buildings with high occupancy.
- Crash Bar: A more general term that refers to the same mechanism, though sometimes used to describe less regulated exit hardware.
The key takeaway: If your building is open to the public or has more than a few employees, you likely need a panic bar to meet safety standards — not just a basic latch or handle.
❓ What’s the Difference Between Grade 1 and Grade 2 Panic Bars?
In Canada, panic bars are graded by ANSI/BHMA standards for durability and performance.
- Grade 1: Heavy-duty commercial use. Withstands 500,000+ cycles and is ideal for high-traffic areas like hospitals, schools, and shopping centres.
- Grade 2: Medium-duty use. Great for offices, warehouses, and small retail stores.
At Atlantic Locksmith, we help you choose the right grade based on your building’s usage and safety requirements — and we always install hardware that meets or exceeds code.
❓ When Should Panic Bars Be Used?
Panic bars should be used on:
- Exit doors in commercial buildings
- Emergency exits in apartments and schools
- Fire exits in restaurants, warehouses, and retail spaces
- Any door that leads directly outside and must remain easy to exit
If your door swings outward and serves as a designated exit, a panic bar isn’t just smart — it may be legally required.
🛠️ Atlantic Locksmith: Your Panic Bar Experts in Halifax & Dartmouth
We’ve been installing, servicing, and upgrading panic bars and exit hardware in Nova Scotia for more than 35 years.
Why Choose Us?
✔️ Fully stocked vans for same-day service
✔️ Expert installation that meets fire and building code
✔️ Repairs and retrofits for existing doors
✔️ Commercial-grade hardware from trusted brands
✔️ Friendly, licensed professionals who get it right the first time
📍 Serving Halifax, Dartmouth & Surrounding Communities
From Bedford to Fall River, Eastern Passage to Porters Lake — we help property managers, business owners, and building operators keep their doors compliant and secure.
📍 Atlantic Locksmith
798 Main Street, Dartmouth, NS B2W 3V1
📞 902-434-5625
🌐 atlanticlocksmith.ca
💬 Final Word
Whether you’re retrofitting old doors or opening a new commercial space, don’t leave your emergency exits to chance. A properly installed panic bar could save lives, protect your investment, and help you pass your next fire inspection with flying colours.
Need panic bar installation or inspection? Call us today — we’re ready to help.
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