Bethany Locksmith Specialists · Kawartha Lakes
Panic & Exit Hardware: what to note first
Locksmith · Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
Two doors used to swing as a pair at the community hall entrance, but one leaf has started closing before the other, catching the astragal and leaving a gap wide enough to worry the caretaker.
Worth answering before the call
Is any door part of a pair with a second leaf? Is the existing hardware still working, or does it need replacing outright? Are any doors currently propped open during business hours?
Is delayed-egress hardware allowed here?
Delayed-egress locking has a defined place in the codes that cover it, generally paired with sprinkler protection and a fire alarm system, and it is not a way to lock a door indefinitely; a short delay still releases on its own once the push is held, and always releases as soon as a fire alarm signal arrives. Whether it suits a given opening depends on the occupancy and the authority having jurisdiction, so it is confirmed with them before it is specified.
Can the door be alarmed without making it hard to open?
Yes. An exit alarm module sounds when the device is used, which tells staff a door meant to stay closed has been opened, but it does not add any resistance to the push that releases the latch. The alarm is a notification layer on top of hardware that still opens under one motion, which is why it suits stockroom, dock or perimeter doors where entry through that opening should be rare.