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posted by Derek_M on Dec 17

Exit devices such as panic bars are an essential piece of hardware for any public or office building.  They offer a way for people to get out of the building during a panic or emergency situation such as bomb threats or fire.   The way they work is that a horizontal bar is attached to the inside of the door, which operates the latch holding the door closed.  In a panic situation people do not think clearly as their survival instincts have kicked in to fight or flight mode, usually the latter.  In a panic to get out of the building, people will push and shove and bunch up at exit points so that the person in front is so squeezed that they would not be able to operate the door even if they were calm.  With the panic bar on the door, simply pushing on the bar, whether by hand or by a body pressed against it during a panic, will disengage the latch and open the door allowing people to escape to safety.  This type of exit door device has saved countless lives over the past 100 years.