Panic Hardware Steel Doors For Solid SecurityReal Life may imitate reel life, and not with the most pleasing effects. The prospect of watching people trapped in a building being consumed by fire is as disconcerting when seen on screen as it is in real life. While the incidence of a fire is mostly accidental, people can be reassured by the fact that today, there are many devices in the market that can allay and delay the wrath of a fire. Panic Hardware to speak of one such range of devices. Steel doors are used in a variety of settings. There are steel doors for security, high security, fire exit, and personnel purposes. Steel Doors fitted with panic hardware are imperative in commercial complexes, industrial buildings and public places. Reliable panic bars can be the difference between life and death in such hazardous situations as fire. Typically, panic hardware or panic bars or exit bars or crash bars as these devices are variously called are available in 2 types Â- fire-rated and non-fire rated. Since steel doors are more likely to be used in commercial places, where there are stringent rules to ensure convenient fire escape, the panic hardware incorporated on these doors are mostly fire-rated. A fire-rated panic bar must pass through some severe tests before it is passed by the Underwriters Laboratory. If a panic bar is UL listed, it signifies that such a device is capable of withstanding high temperatures and that it is a fail-safe latching mechanism. The implications of having such panic hardware on steel doors are clear. In case of a fire breakout, the active panic latching mechanism remains latched, disallowing billowing smoke and fire to escape to the other side of the door. This allows for more time to evacuate people. Although panic devices for steel doors are usually devoid of a Â'dogging deviceÂ', sometimes steel doors for security are fitted with panic bars that need a key to operate them. This is mostly seen in the case of doors which serve the dual purpose of a fire exit and one of frequent-access. Depending on whether the steel door is single or double-leafed, youÂ'll find a variety of mountings to accommodate the panic hardware. Single doors use a mounting called a rim device which is placed approximately 40 inches from the bottom of the door. Double doors use a vertical rod exit bar. Such an arrangement allows for independent latching systems for both the doors. Panic bars fitted on steel doors may also come with an EL feature. This allows panic bars to be unlatched through remote electronic control. Additional features may include alarm systems or buzzing systems that sound an invitation to people to enter or exit. Many manufacturers are also giving due importance to the aesthetics of panic hardware. You can now choose from classy finished such as brass polished, anodized aluminum, satin chrome, dark bronze, satin bronze and more. There are many manufacturers in the market who specialize in steel door panic hardware. Notable among them are Von Duprin, Yale, Corbin, Sargent, Jackson, Warnock Hersey. With such an assortment of brands, choosing the correct hardware can be a dilemma - not because of lack of quality but by the sheer range. |