Panic Bar Installation

When Is a Panic Bar Required by Code?

Any door serving an occupant load of 50 or more people in Florida. That includes most retail stores, restaurants, offices, assembly halls, and educational buildings. The Florida Building Code follows IBC Section 1010.1.10 which mandates panic hardware on these exits.

Even if your occupancy is below 50, the fire marshal may require panic bars on certain doors based on the building's use and layout. We install them to meet all applicable codes and can advise whether your doors need them.

Types of Panic Hardware Triton Locksmith Installs

• Rim exit devices ($250-$400): Surface-mounted on the door face. Von Duprin 98/99 series is the industry standard. Latch mechanism retracts when the bar is pushed, releasing the door. Most common type for standard commercial doors.
• Mortise exit devices ($350-$500): Lock body is inside the door, not surface-mounted. More secure because the latch is recessed. Common on heavy-traffic main entries.
• Vertical rod exit devices ($400-$600): Rods extend from the push bar up into the header and down into the floor. Provides three-point locking (top, latch, bottom). Required on some double-door and fire door applications.
• Narrow stile exit devices ($300-$450): Designed for aluminum-frame glass storefront doors. Thinner profile to fit the narrow door stile. Adams Rite 8600 and Von Duprin 9848 are common models.

How Does Triton Locksmith Install a Panic Bar?

Step 1: Template. We use the manufacturer's paper template to mark all mounting holes and the latch cutout on the door face and edge. This ensures the hardware lines up perfectly with the strike on the frame.

Step 2: Door prep. We drill mounting holes and cut the latch pocket in the door edge. For metal doors, this requires a hole saw and nibbler. For wood doors, a chisel and drill. Aluminum storefront doors need specialized bits.

Step 3: Mount and connect. The exit device body mounts to the door face. The push bar connects to the latch mechanism through the door. For vertical rod devices, rods extend into the header and threshold strikes.

Step 4: Strike installation. The strike plate mounts on the frame, aligned with the latch bolt. Rim strikes are surface-mounted. Mortise strikes are recessed into the frame.

Step 5: Test and adjust. Triton Locksmith tests the device from both sides. The door must latch positively and release with no more than 15 lbs of force on the push bar per NFPA 101.

Fire-Rated Door Requirements

Panic hardware on fire-rated doors must carry the same fire rating as the door. A 90-minute fire door needs a 90-minute rated exit device. The exit device, the door, the frame, the hinges, and the closer all form a rated assembly. Triton Locksmith installs only UL-listed panic hardware on fire-rated doors and verifies the complete assembly maintains its rating.

Fire-rated panic bars cannot have dogging (the feature that holds the latch retracted). Fire doors must be self-latching at all times. If your exit needs both dogging and fire rating, we install a device with electric latch retraction that ties into the fire alarm. When the alarm activates, the latch engages automatically.

How Much Does Panic Bar Installation Cost?

• Rim exit device (Von Duprin 98): $250-$350
• Rim exit device (Von Duprin 99): $350-$450
• Mortise exit device: $350-$500
• Vertical rod device: $400-$600
• Narrow stile (storefront): $300-$450
• Alarmed exit device: Add $100-$200 for alarm module

All prices include hardware, installation, strike, and testing. Call (561) 524-8500 for a quote.

Where Does Triton Locksmith Install Panic Bars?

Any commercial building across South Florida. Retail stores, restaurants, offices, schools, churches, warehouses, and medical facilities. Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach. Same-day installation available. Call (561) 524-8500.

Choosing the Right Panic Bar Brand

Von Duprin is the most widely specified panic hardware brand in South Florida commercial construction. The 98/99 series has been the industry standard for decades. Sargent 80 series is a strong alternative used heavily in institutional buildings (schools, hospitals). Detex 10/20 series is the go-to for alarmed exit devices. Triton Locksmith installs all three brands and recommends based on your door type, traffic level, and fire code requirements. We carry the most common models on the van for same-day installation across Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach.

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