WHY PANIC BARS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL BUILDING

If you have a public commercial facility of any sort, then you’re likely already aware that your property is required to have “panic hardware” in order to obey the law, so that you’ll be providing proper egress and ingress in case of an emergency. A panic bar is a push bar that must be installed on every exit door, which permits people to leave quickly. An uninterrupted and unobstructed departure path to a safe place is required also. These doors are usually necessary in schools, malls, restaurants, taverns, and other public spaces. It’s important that you follow the law when it comes to protecting everybody in the building. If you’re not up to code, you will not pass inspection, and you’ll be closed down. When you install these crucial devices, you’ll be safeguarding the wellbeing of every occupant ~ personnel, visitor, and customer alike.

Most of us cannot concentrate when we find ourselves in a crisis, so it’s vital that you correctly install panic bars throughout your building to avoid any mishaps. Follow all regulations, and maintain these doors routinely. Properly installed and functioning panic hardware will make all the difference in a life-or-death situation.

Panic hardware consists of a latching device, with a crossbar or touchpad spanning at least half of the width of the door, releasing the latch when it’s pushed. Panic hardware is also referred to as an “exit device” or “crash bar”; for fire doors, it’s called “fire exit hardware.” This dedicated hardware is used wherever the current code necessitates that you make it possible for a large number of persons to make a quick exit, and it also provides optimized durability.

The International Fire Code (IFC), the International Building Code (IBC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Code are the most common fire safety and building codes in the United States. You’ll have to determine which code, and which edition of that code, applies expressly to your property. Local codes in your area may oblige you to follow additional requirements. Be sure you’re fully compliant.

On the inside, they make a fast exit in an emergency possible. Panic bars will also prevent entry from the opposite side of the door. A panic bar locking from the outside only is allowed on an exit discharge door. In general, rooms with electrical equipment must include panic hardware or fire exit hardware that permits a professional technician to leave if there’s an explosion or fire.

When you install panic hardware on balanced doors, a touchpad-style device is necessary. Code requirements normally prohibit the installation of any other kind of lock on a door with panic hardware, except for electromagnetic locks released by a sensor or switch. The touchpad shouldn’t extend more than halfway across the door. At all times, anyone who needs to get out has to be able to have access to an exit route door that opens from the inside ~ without having to use any tools or keys, and without having to know any specialized information.

Installed on doors that open to the outside, panic bars are available in a big variety of styles. Most are equipped with an alarm ~ stopping anyone exiting from stealing anything or avoiding paying a tab. Constructed vertically or horizontally, all panic bar door openers function the same way: When the bar is pushed, the door opens. The precise number of exit doors required, and the style guidelines you have to follow, will all depend on the size, height, and type of building, as well as its purpose and occupancy level.

The existing requirements apply to doors that either lock or latch. For instance, you don’t need to have panic hardware on a free-swinging door with only a pull handle or push plate. The prevailing code requires panic hardware only for specified occupancy types. A property designated as “assembly occupancy” is typically a space or building where large groups gather, such as a stadium, theater, or gym. An “educational occupancy” is a school building for children up to the last year of high school. Property used as college classrooms is considered “business occupancy”; note that some college classrooms ~ serving as lecture halls, for example ~ are big enough to be classified as assembly occupancy. The NFPA 101 Code includes a distinct occupancy classification for “daycare occupancy,” which is a place used for daycare for kids or adults. Finally, a “high-hazard occupancy” ~ any place containing a high level of hazardous materials ~ is a space at risk for explosions.

A panic bar’s push pad must be at least half the width of the door, so when you install a panic device, follow the template included with the packaging to mark the door for exactly where to place it. The template will show you where to drill the holes and mount the hardware. The center of the panic bar’s push pad should be at a standard height of 41″ from the ground. In schools and daycare facilities, this measure can vary. When you attach the panic bar to the door, use only the screws included in the packaging, so you won’t void the warranty. After installing the panic bar, test the push pad to make sure it’s fully functional.

There are all kinds of panic hardware. Rim devices are easily installed, and call for minimal maintenance. The panic hardware with surface vertical rods is more difficult to install. There’s also a panic bar with a concealed vertical rod, which is more costly as well as significantly harder to install. How do you decide? As we’ve discussed above, choose the panic bar required for each door based on your building’s parameters. In most cases, it’s best to hire an expert.

If your commercial property is anywhere in Virginia Beach, Virginia, find a reputable security professional, such as a commercial locksmith specialist at Virginia Beach Locksmith. Each technician on staff there is exceedingly qualified to help you find the perfect panic bars for all your building’s evacuation doors.

Aricle source here: WHY PANIC BARS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL BUILDING

Keyless Entry System Benefits

Keys, in a way, are becoming a thing of the past. This doesn’t mean that we are no longer using locks, of course. Locks are more important than ever, as theft unfortunately continues to occur on a daily basis all over the country. However, new technology is becoming available, and many people are jumping at the opportunity to have something new and more convenient. Virginia Beach Locksmith is a lock and security expert in Virginia Beach, VA that has put together information regarding some of the newest technology available which is constantly improving – we are talking about keyless entry systems. If you haven’t taken the time to learn about keyless entry, then now is as good a time as ever – find out more about the benefits of keyless entry systems, and see why more and more people are opting to take advantage of this.

Let’s start with the basics. What is keyless entry and how does it work?

In the most basic sense, keyless entry means having the ability to gain access to a property without the use of a key. Generally speaking, a keypad device will be on the door or near the door, and one will enter a code to get in. This code can be shared with people who are trusted, so anyone who you trust can get into your property without you having to give them a physical key.

What are some perks to not using a key? Is it really more beneficial than having a key?

The answer depends on who you ask, but there are certainly perks to not having to use a key. You can share your code with anyone you choose, and you won’t have to meet up with them to give them a copy of your key. This saves you the cost of having to have a key created, and it saves time if you have family or friends coming to visit from out of town. Let’s say you are at work when they arrive to your home. Instead of making them wait around outside, and instead of having them come to meet you at your office, you can merely provide them with your code to get in. Not having to carry a key means less opportunity for your key to be misplaced or lost. These are just a couple of the perks to using keyless entry systems.

Auto Security

Keyless entry is also a solution that vehicle owners tend to take advantage of. When your car is keyless, it makes it more difficult for a person to break in. Cutting wires won’t work when the criminal doesn’t have the appropriate code that is connected with your transmitter fob. If the wrong code is entered, some systems will completely disable the ignition circuit. It is certainly a theft deterrent to have keyless entry for your vehicle.

Commercial Property Security

Commercial building owners know that security is important. They also know that having to carry around a lot of keys can get confusing. They also know that it can get expensive having to constantly rekey or change locks when employees leave. Even if your turnover isn’t all that high, it can still become costly to have to have locks replaced or rekeyed. When you go keyless, all you have to do is share your code with the persons you can trust to have access to your property. This will help to keep certain people out while increasing your security. If an employee leaves or is terminated, simply change the code rather than changing your locks. Keyless entry can also provide the opportunity to track where certain employees are at certain times.

Residential Property Security

Keyless entry for homeowners has been discussed in terms of how it relates to the ability to share your code with trusted individuals. Other benefits include being able to avoid hiding a key on your property. It just isn’t safe to have a key hidden under your doormat. This is the first place a criminal would look! It isn’t good enough to have a hide a key feature, because a criminal could figure this out. You won’t have to hide a key at all if you have keyless entry. In addition to being able to avoid hiding a key on your property, you can eliminate the chance of getting locked out of your home. Virginia Beach Locksmith frequently gets phone calls from locals who are locked out because they lost their key. If you know that you happen to be a little prone to misplacing things, then keyless entry should definitely be something that you consider.

Did you know that when you go keyless, you can control access to your property using your smartphone? This is a feature which can be set up, and it is extremely beneficial. Let’s say you have children who will be getting home from school before you will be getting home from work or from running errands for the day. With the simple push of a button, you can ensure your kids have entry to your home, and you can make sure that no one else is able to get in without your permission.

There are a vast array of benefits to keyless entry systems. Hopefully you now have a better idea of why so many people are making the choice to take advantage of this fairly new technology. Homeowners, car owners and commercial property owners alike should look into the newest options which are available to them. Everyone wants to be able to protect their property. Everyone wants their belongings to be secure. And of course, everyone wants convenience. Keyless entry offers a great deal of convenience. Talk to your local locksmith about some of the options which are available to you. If you aren’t quite ready to go keyless, then consider swapping out your locks or having them rekeyed if you have any concerns regarding the security of your property.

Aricle source here: Keyless Entry System Benefits

Protecting Your Home at All Times

While you may think that you have done all that you can to protect your home from an intrusion, you may not take the same precautions when you’re leaving your home for an extended amount of time. If you’re planning a vacation, you should also plan on ways to ensure your home isn’t broken into. We know, you’re probably thinking that you can just lock up and be on your way. This is something that most people assume should be enough to avoid a break-in. This is where you make your mistake. You need to take some precautions to avoid a break-in while you are away. Most burglars are looking for time and opportunity. This is what is afforded to them whenever you are away on vacation. In most instances, homes that are broken into is because of something that the homeowner did or did not do. At Virginia Beach Locksmith in Virginia Beach, VA, we take your safety and security very seriously. This is why we do our part in helping you remain safe at all times.

You might not be aware of it but there might be burglars in your area, looking for the next home to break into. Don’t make it easy for them to break into your home when you are away. Create a list of things to do prior to leaving for an extended amount of time. Planning for a vacation should include taking precautions to avoid a break-in. This means you may have to develop a list of things to do before you leave home. By developing a list and checking things off, you’ll decrease your chances of experiencing a break-in. If a burglar is looking for their next home, don’t let them choose yours based on something you do or do not do. Think ahead and avoid dealing with such a problem upon your return home.

Keep It to Yourself – Traveling is exciting and this is why you might want to share you plans on social media. Don’t do it! Keep it to yourself. We know this may be hard to do but just consider how many people you do not know who you may be sharing your vacation plans with. You may want to be the envy of the office but this is not the way to do it. You don’t know everyone who follows you on social media and this is why you should avoid announcing your plans on social media. It is very easy to find out where people live these days. Since this is the case, you can be sure that if a burglar wants to target your home, they will. If you want to post something on social media, post it upon returning home. This way your home is not left susceptible to an intrusion.

Lockup – We cannot stress this enough. Lockup your home when you leave on vacation. You would be surprised how many people leave on an extended stay and do not lockup their doors and windows. It is easy to forget, especially with so much on your mind. People walk right out the front door, not giving a second thought as to whether or not all of the doors and windows have been locked. In some instances, they even forget to lock their front door. Intruders can get in through windows as easily as they can get in through the doors. This is why you should always remember to double check doors and windows throughout your home. In some cases, we even find that not only are the windows unlocked but there are sometimes windows left open. Wow! This is an invitation to come on in and get what they want. If there are other family members in your home, you may not even know that they have opened a door or window without closing it. The only way to find out is by checking it out for yourself. Go through the home and make sure the doors and windows are all locked and secured before leaving for your vacation.

Set Your Alarm System – If you have an alarm system, you may even forget to set it once you leave. Your alarm system will not be of much use to you if the system is not set. It can’t be set if you do not have one. If you don’t already have an alarm system, you should consider investing in one today. When there is an alarm in the home, you are less likely to experience a burglary. Burglars see an alarm as a deterrent. They do not want to be detected and surely if there is an alarm in you home, this is one chance they wouldn’t want to take. If you have an alarm system, make sure you ask for a sign that you can place in the front of your home. Something as simple as an alarm system sign can thwart off a burglar. There are some homeowners who have the sign displayed but do not have the service. A burglar doesn’t have to know this. All that they know is that you have an alarm system in your home and that they can’t afford to take the chance of being discovered. They will likely move on to the next home.

Don’t Leave Yourself Exposed – When you do not have blinds or curtains up at your window, you are exposing yourself to others who may want to get what you have. If there is nothing hanging up at your window, you are showing everyone what they can gain by getting inside your home. This leaves you susceptible to a home intrusion. Don’t advertise to the whole world what is inside your home; instead, cover your windows.

If you are guilty of doing some of the aforementioned things, don’t worry; we’re all guilty. However, now that you know what can be done to prevent a burglary, don’t forget to do it. You might just be able to avoid a break-in.

Aricle source here: Protecting Your Home at All Times