How to lock a push bar door from the inside

Physical security is of utmost concern to both business owners and homeowners. One of the ways that you can enhance the security and safety of your property is by installing a push bar on your door. If you are thinking about having a panic bar or push bar installed, you may want to know how you can lock or unlock a push bar door.

Installing push bar doors requires the skill set of a locksmith service provider like Birmingham Locksmith Pro.

What is a Push Bar Door?

A crash bar otherwise referred to as a panic bar or push bar is a mechanical hardware that is often installed on an outward opening door. This metal piece of hardware is often installed horizontally across a door.

Originally invented in 1911, push bars were manufactured to help prevent crowd crushing and stampedes during emergencies. Users can open the panic bar by simply pushing the bar from inside. Although originally invented for exit doors, most healthcare facilities and commercial buildings use push bars as the opening mechanism of their main doors.

Locking and Unlocking a Push Bar Door

Push bar doors are often user-friendly. The design and installation of push bars are done in such a way that anyone without prior knowledge about panic bar doors can still operate them. You do not need a key to unlock a push bar door. A push bar has a horizontal and flat metal bar that is often attached inside an outward-opening door.

Unlocking a Push Bar Door

All you need to do to retract the latch mechanism of a push bar door is push the flat bar from the inside. As soon as you do this the latch will retract, allowing you to quickly exit or enter the facility. You don’t need keys or prior knowledge to operate them.

Some heavy traffic areas like healthcare facilities and retail stores use dogging devices to lock down the release mechanism of the push bar. These devices keep the push bar’s latch retracted so that users can gain access in and out of the building by simply pushing the door. The dogging device ensures that the push bar door remains unlocked until the device itself is retracted.

Locking a Push Bar Door

You need a dogging hex key or mortise cylinder key to lock a push bar door. Once inserted into the keyhole, the key releases the latch mechanism to engage the strike plate, hence, ensuring that the door remains locked.

If you want to lock a push bar door while you are still inside your property, you need to:

  • Look for the keyhole on the panic bar door.
  • Make sure you have the right key. The right key would fit snugly into the keyhole.
  • Insert the right key into the keyhole of the outer doorknob.
  • Lock the door
  • Ensure that the door stays locked.

Final Words

At Birmingham Locksmith Pro, our team of reliable locksmiths is always available to assist you with any problem you may have with your push bar. Contact us today for the installation, maintenance, and repair of push bar doors.

March 21, 2022 12:00 am

Panic doors are a style of security door that has been around for a long time. They first went into production in the early 1900s and have made their way to just about every fast-food establishment, grocery store back door, and more. You may be curious about how to lock and unlock panic doors. Here is some information that will help you achieve that if you need to:

Why Did Panic Bars Come From?

The concept of the panic bar originated in 1911 in response to a crisis that involved people dying inside buildings. They were dying in fires because the design of the inward-opening doors somehow prevented them from exiting the building to save their lives. The panic bar manufacturer wanted to make it much easier for people to protect themselves, and that’s what the panic bar accomplished. 

Why You Need to Keep You Panic Bar Unlocked

Keeping the panic bar unlocked is essential for safety reasons and because of certain mandates. Specific mandates state that panic doors should be easily opened with nothing but horizontal force on the crossbar. The idea is to have it so that people can exit the building quickly without needing extensive knowledge of doors and their mechanisms. Simplicity is the key here, and it saves lives in this case.  

How Do You Lock and Unlock a Panic Bar?

Unlocking a push bar door is the easiest thing you can do. It does not require experience or education. The door has a flat bar attached to the inside. Pushing on that flat bar will cause it to retract the latch mechanism and unlock the door. You can then use the door for a quick exit in the case of an emergency. Safety codes and regulations mandate that the release mechanism be activated in the push bar.

There is a way to lock the panic door with a unique key. This key is a hex-shaped key. You can also use a mortise cylinder key to do the job. Turning the key will cause the locking mechanism to work. 

The proper way to lock the door is to put the key in the hole and turn it. You must lock the door from the outside as well. Whoever locks the door should check to ensure that it is indeed locked. That’s the best way to keep the premises safe and ensure that everything is and was done properly. 

There’s nothing much else to locking an unlocked door with a panic bar. The most important thing is hiring only a reliable company to install a panic door for you. Ensure that you check the business’s credentials, other work, work experience, and the like. You have the right to choose the best provider so that you can ensure that people inside your facility are safe. 

You should now fully understand how panic bars work and what you’ll need to do to lock or unlock one. You can feel safe and secure if you have a door with a panic bar at your home or establishment. 

Categorised in: Panic Bars

This post was written by admin

What is a door with a push bar called?

A crash bar (also known as a panic exit device, panic bar, or push bar) is a type of door opening mechanism which allows users to open a door by pushing a bar.

How does a push bar door work?

You simply push a rod, a bar or other activator, the latch mechanism is retracted and you are able to push the door open. These types of devices function differently than a typical door lock, in that they are designed to allow exit without the use of a key or any rotary motion of any kind.

How does a panic bar lock work?

How it Works. Panic bars consist of a flat, horizontal bar attached to the inside of an outward-opening door. This flat bar retracts a latch mechanism when pushed, unlocking the door for fast exit. Doors using a classic crash bar require no knowledge or keys to operate and are ADA-compliant for handicapped usage.