Commercial Exit Devices & Panic Hardware: Signs Repair or Replacement Is Needed
Commercial exit devices are designed to provide reliable egress from buildings while helping maintain security from the exterior. In schools, healthcare facilities, manufacturing plants, churches, offices, municipal buildings, and other commercial properties, these devices may be used hundreds of times each day.
Because of that constant use, exit devices and panic hardware can eventually become worn, loose, difficult to operate, or improperly aligned. Recognizing the signs of trouble early can help facility managers address problems before an opening becomes unreliable.
Seven Oaks Doors & Hardware provides commercial door, frame, and hardware solutions throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and South Central Virginia.
What Is a Commercial Exit Device?
An exit device is the horizontal hardware mounted across the inside of a commercial door that allows the door to unlatch when the bar or touchpad is pushed.
Often called panic hardware or a panic bar, these devices are commonly installed at high-traffic exits and other openings where dependable egress is important.
Exit devices are also an important part of many commercial fire door and hardware systems. The door, frame, hinges, closer, latch, and exit hardware must work together so the opening operates as intended.
Signs an Exit Device May Need Attention
Commercial exit devices are durable, but repeated use can gradually affect their operation.
Common signs of a developing problem include:
- The push bar or touchpad sticks or requires excessive force
- The door does not unlatch consistently when the device is pushed
- The latch does not fully retract
- The door will not latch properly after closing
- The device feels loose or moves on the door
- Exterior trim, handles, or key cylinders no longer operate correctly
- The door rattles or does not remain securely latched
- Parts of the exit device appear bent, damaged, or heavily worn
These symptoms should not automatically be blamed on the exit device itself. Commercial doors operate as complete systems.
The Problem May Be Somewhere Else in the Opening
A door that will not latch can sometimes have a problem with the exit device, but misalignment elsewhere in the opening may be responsible.
For example, worn commercial door hinges can allow a door to sag. A damaged or shifted frame can change the relationship between the latch and strike.
Likewise, a malfunctioning commercial door closer may prevent the door from closing with the control necessary for the exit device to latch correctly.
This is why repeatedly replacing individual pieces of hardware without evaluating the complete opening may not solve the underlying problem.
When Can Exit Hardware Be Repaired?
Some problems can be corrected through adjustment, tightening, alignment, or replacement of worn components. The appropriate repair depends on the condition and type of hardware as well as the door and frame.
Older openings may also be candidates for commercial door and hardware retrofitting. Retrofitting can allow facilities to improve existing openings without automatically replacing every component.
When an exit device is severely worn, damaged, obsolete, repeatedly failing, or no longer suitable for the opening, replacement may provide the better long-term solution.
Exit Devices and Electronic Access Control
Facilities upgrading security should also consider how exit hardware interacts with access-control systems.
Depending on the opening, exit devices may need to work with electric latch retraction, electrified trim, monitoring equipment, or other electronic access control for commercial doors.
Evaluating the complete opening helps ensure that security upgrades do not interfere with normal door operation or required egress.
Commercial Exit Device Repair and Replacement from Seven Oaks
Since 1989, Seven Oaks Doors & Hardware has helped commercial facilities repair, retrofit, and replace doors, frames, exit devices, locks, closers, hinges, and related hardware.
If your facility has exit devices that are sticking, loose, difficult to operate, failing to latch, or requiring repeated repairs, the best solution begins with evaluating the complete opening.
Request a commercial door and hardware quote from Seven Oaks Doors & Hardware for service throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and South Central Virginia.
