Panic Bar Installation
in Santa Monica

Is a panic bar actually required by code on my door?

It depends on the occupancy and how many people use the door. In Santa Monica, exits on assembly, retail, and many commercial spaces with real public traffic typically need a listed exit device – that's usually what triggers an inspector flag in the first place. We'll look at your door and tell you honestly whether it's required or just a good idea. If you've already got a written notice from a fire inspector, bring it; it tells us exactly what they want.

What's the difference between a fire-rated bar and a standard one?

A standard panic bar latches and lets people out fast. A fire-rated (sometimes called fire exit) device does the same but is built to keep a rated door latched during a fire so the door can't be blown open or left ajar – it has no mechanical dogging that holds the latch back. If your door is part of a fire-rated wall assembly, you need the rated version, and we won't drill a rated door for the wrong unit. We carry both.

Can the panic bar set off an alarm if someone uses that exit?

Yes. We install alarmed exit devices that sound a local horn when the bar is pushed, which is common for back exits and stockrooms where you want the door usable in an emergency but don't want it propped open for deliveries all day. We can do a self-contained battery alarm or tie it into your existing system. Tell us how the door gets used and we'll set the right delay and reset behavior.

Will a crash bar even fit my existing door?

Most likely, but it depends on the door type. Aluminum storefront doors common around Santa Monica's commercial strips usually take a rim or vertical-rod device; hollow-metal and solid-core wood doors give us more options. The stile width and the frame matter. That's why we measure on site before quoting – we'd rather confirm your slab can carry the device than promise something that won't bolt up clean.