Skip to Main Content
Panic Bars and Fire Exit Devices
Contact Us Today

Equip Your Commercial Building with Emergency
Panic Bars and Fire Exit Devices

When a crisis occurs, your emergency equipment must function flawlessly in order to quickly and efficiently alert your building occupants and guide them to safety. As a business owner, panic bars and exit devices are among the most important purchases you'll make.

The team at Great Lakes Security Hardware is made up of seasoned Roseville, MI door installation and repair experts. Every day, we help local business owners stay prepared and ensure that their visitors are safe if disaster strikes. Let us help you ensure your building is compliant with safety regulations and get your illuminated exit signage, alarm systems, panic buttons, push bars, and panic bars installed swiftly and professionally.

With our thorough inspections, we check that all fire exit equipment functions correctly and is in line with city, county, and state regulations.

Read on below for more information or, to receive a free consultation for exit device and panic bar installation, contact us today!

Contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Panic & Exit Devices in Roseville, MI | Great Lakes Security Hardware - Shop_4_001

Panic Hardware vs. Fire Exit Hardware — What's Right for My Door Frame?

Panic hardware and fire exit hardware are two different types of exit devices. The right choice for your building will depend on specific building code requirements per the International Building Code (IBC).

Panic hardware is a type of exit device intended for use on a door, but it cannot be used on a fire door. Panic hardware generally has a "dogging" feature to retract the latches and enable simple push/pull functionality in the event of an emergency.

Fire exit hardware, on the other hand, encompasses exit devices specially tested for both panic and fire conditions. This equipment is required for fire doors. (Fire exit hardware does not incorporate mechanical dogging because fire doors require positive latching.)

Furthermore, exit signage is critically important. For safety purposes, you must clearly designate all exit doors, especially emergency exits and fire exits.

When and where are panic devices required?

Panic hardware and/or fire exit hardware is required on the access doors (entry doors) and egress doors (doors with "exit only" function) of educational spaces, daycares, assemblies, electrical rooms, and high hazard occupancies, among others. It is typically not required for residential spaces, small office buildings, and retail facilities — but exceptions may apply.

Contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION.


Panic Bar Installation Service

A panic bar — also called a crash bar, push bar, or panic device — is a rim exit device designed to quickly unlock a door in an emergency scenario. The user can push on a wide bar with any part of their body to unlatch the door. These important devices consist of a horizontal bar commonly installed on the interior side of an access door.

Panic bars were originally designed as a way to prevent crowd crush in a stampede or other emergency, but over time, they have become the primary door opening mechanism in use for many commercial buildings.

There are numerous rules, regulations, and local building codes that public buildings must follow surrounding panic devices. For example:

  • the actuating part of the door's panic device (i.e. the bar, push pad, or rod) must be at least half the width of the door
  • panic hardware must be mounted between 34 inches and 48 inches above the floor
  • the maximum force needed to unlatch the door may not exceed 15 pounds

Panic devices and panic hardware help you ensure code compliance as well as fast and easy egress. The heavy-duty panic/exit devices we offer include concealed vertical rod panic bars, surface vertical rod devices, battery-operated alarm systems, and other rim exit devices in several styles suitable for single doors or double doors.

For more information about installing a panic exit bar or other security hardware device in your building, contact us now.

Choose Great Lakes Security Hardware for Professional Installation of Panic Bars and Exit Devices

For professional emergency door exit devices and installation, put your trust in Great Lakes Security Hardware. It is our goal to help you pass inspection, control access and, ultimately, save lives. Our comprehensive inspections address weaknesses to discourage — and prevent — burglary and other catastrophes. In addition, we provide technical support for all of our commercial door and entryway solutions, such as:

Since 1990, Great Lakes Security Hardware has been a trusted commercial door installation contractor, industrial door supplier, and provider of other door hardware in the Roseville area. Our employees are specialists in the service and installation of commercial doors, locks, security hardware, emergency exit devices and entry systems. Over the decades, we’ve worked with a number of respected clients including schools, banks, restaurants, police stations, offices, and many others on a variety of projects, all while staying in compliance with Michigan building codes.

To learn more about how to install panic bars, emergency alert systems, exit device door frame hardware, and other rim exit devices for your business, contact us today for a free consultation!

Contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

We Have Provided Exceptional Security Services to
Thousands of Macomb & Oakland County Businesses & Residential Customers
I needed my business door lock cylinder rekeyed as the tumblers had worn out with 20+ years of use. They took care of me while I waited. What great service! I got six new keys and a smooth operating lock cylinder! I am super happy with their service. Need door locks, keys, door parts, pad locks - this is the place to go.'s Rating
I needed my business door lock cylinder rekeyed as the tumblers had worn out with 20+ years of use. They took care of me while I waited. What great service! I got six new keys and a smooth operating lock cylinder! I am super happy with their service. Need door locks, keys, door parts, pad locks - this is the place to go. - David Barker
These guys are awesome. They’ve got some good, knowledgeable people behind the counter and I get excellent service every time. They’ve also come out to service locks for us and we were really happy with that as well. Great prices and I won’t use any one else. Keep up the good work!'s Rating
These guys are awesome. They’ve got some good, knowledgeable people behind the counter and I get excellent service every time. They’ve also come out to service locks for us and we were really happy with that as well. Great prices and I won’t use any one else. Keep up the good work! - April R.