What is the Difference Between Panic Exit Hardware and a Fire Exit Hardware?
When it comes to different locking devices, locks, and locking hardware, you’ll come across several different types and options. For someone who doesn’t know much about this hardware, it can be difficult to tell and differentiate between them. The reason is that from the outside, they look similar, but from the inside, they have completely different functions.
Speaking of which, today, we are here to dive into the difference between fire exit hardware and panic hardware. This article needs your utmost attention because, at the end of the day, it’s important for you to know what you are installing and spending your money on and whether or not it’s in accordance with your requirements.
What Is Panic Exit Hardware?
Just as the name implies, a panic bar is an exit device that’s also referred to as a “crash bar.” This device is installed to unlock the door quickly in case of an emergency. In other words, this is the type of hardware that’s installed for life safety purposes when there’s some sort of a panic situation around. As far as its mechanism is concerned, this device consists of a spring metal bar that’s horizontally attached to the inside of the door opening. In an emergency, the depression of the lever activates the device, and the door is unlatched immediately. This way, one can easily and quickly exit a building without any delay. This hardware is important for High Hazard buildings, Assembly, or Education buildings as per the International Building Code. People often confuse things here and think that a panic exit bar can also be used as a fire exit bar, which is not the case. Both are completely different, and they have different mechanisms, so if you want a fire exit bar, you’ll have to get it installed separately.
What Is Fire Exit Hardware?
The fire exit device can be used for both panic exit and fire exit. Where panic exit comes with a dogging feature, this is not the case with the fire exit device. It requires positive latching, which is why you need to opt for fire exit hardware. However, if you want to have a push and pull functionality for your fire exit door, then you’ll have to invest in electric latch hardware. The main difference between panic exit hardware and fire exit hardware lies in their code. For example, installing fire exit hardware means that you want the fire door to latch every time it closes. You need to ensure that the hardware you choose should pass the UL 10C Standard for Safety Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies. Not just this, but for both types of hardware, you have to make sure that they are in accordance with UL 305 Standard for Safety – Panic Hardware.
These are the kind of things that you can know only upon some professional consultancy. Even if you hire a door repair Rochester NY here, it might come in quite handy. These people with professional knowledge and years of experience know the difference between the locking mechanisms and the hardware installed to cope with each situation.
Overall Verdict
As mentioned earlier, the main difference between Panic Hardware and Fire Exit Hardware is that panic hardware comes with mechanical dogging, whereas fire exit hardware does not have it. We’d recommend you to go for the fire exit hardware here because it can come in handy to you in both fire and panic situations.
