Adopting safety measures that efficiently meet emergency requirements is crucial in every facility, whether commercial or residential. Among the diverse hardware devices available, exit devices play an indispensable role in enhancing the safety of both the building and its occupants.
Integrating the right exit devices in buildings functions as a comprehensive safety system that operates effectively in high-risk situations.
From traditional manual devices to advanced electrified models, incorporating the best device for your building requires careful consideration. However, with the advent of technology, selecting the right type of exit device has become easier. Here is a comprehensive guide to choosing the right exit device for your buildings, with detailed information on the application, advantages, and disadvantages, and a comparison between manual and electrified exit devices.
What Are Exit Devices?
Exit devices are safety components that facilitate swift and unobstructed means of egress during emergencies. Also known as panic bars, push bars, or crash bars, they are mounted on the interior of doors and can be activated with minimal force. Once installed on building doors, they function as a reliable safety device that users can easily handle from the inside. Furthermore, their convenient and straightforward operation ensures that users can exit through these access-controlled doors without additional support like keys or handles. These devices are crucial in commercial applications, including hospitals, schools, offices, government buildings, etc., where there is an extra need to adopt safety measures.
The occurrence of multiple fire accidents in the 20th century started raising concerns about the absence of reliable evacuation systems in buildings. Tragedies like the Iroquois fire (1903), the Collinwood School fire (1908), and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (1911) emphasized the need for buildings to adopt comprehensive safety exit systems to prevent fire and panic crushes. As a result, it was in the 1900s that the need for exit devices as necessary hardware components was recognized. With technological advancements, exit devices were further enhanced and upgraded from simple devices to an efficient system that ensures rapid and safe egress.
What Are Manual Exit Devices?
Manual exit devices are door hardware components that facilitate quick and safe evacuation from buildings during emergencies like fire, earthquake, etc. By pushing the bar or panel attached to the door, occupants can easily exit the building. Complying with certain security standards, these devices are considered a safe and quick means of egress. As a robust support in commercial buildings, manual exit devices also work as a cost-effective solution with operational efficiency.
Some of the well-known Manual Exit Devices are:
- The Von-Duprin 98 and 99 series exit devices. The newly released Von-Duprin 70 series exit devices boasts a modern aesthetic with clean lines that integrate seamlessly with existing Von Duprin products.
- Sargent PE80 Series and 8800 series rim exit devices are commercial and institutional door hardware designed for quick, easy, and secure emergency exits. Available in mechanical or electronic versions, they can be integrated with access control systems for added security and remote management.
- Corbin Russwin ED5200 series exit devices offer a quick, cost-effective, and secure exit solution for commercial buildings. These durable, standards-compliant devices can be easily installed on existing doors, providing reliable access control and emergency egress.
- Accentra 6000 and 7000 series exit devices provide reliable, long-lasting emergency egress and access control for various commercial and institutional settings. These premium products meet safety standards and can be enhanced with additional security features for added peace of mind.
Advantages of Manual Exit Devices
- The simple design of manual exit devices consists of minimal moving parts, reducing the chances of malfunctioning.
- Unlike electrified devices, manual exit devices do not work on electricity, ensuring their functionality even during power failures.
- They work efficiently during critical times by allowing the occupants to easily open the door without the aid of any additional tools or prior knowledge.
Disadvantages of Manual Exit Devices
- They cannot integrate with existing building security systems and are not ideal for use in areas with heightened security needs.
- Operating mechanically, these devices activate only upon physical triggers. This can give rise to accessibility issues, causing inconvenience to people with disabilities.
- Automated features like locking and unlocking, which are essential in facilitating easy egress during emergencies, are absent in these devices.
What Are Electrified Exit Devices?
Electrified exit devices are advanced safety solutions that operate by combining the possibilities of manual devices with electrified components. As a comprehensive system, they function as a reliable egress mechanism while efficiently managing access control features. These devices can be activated either manually or through remote control. Electrified exit devices are available in different types, such as rim or mortise devices, vertical rods, etc. to meet diverse security needs.
Some of the well-known electrified exit devices are:
- Sargent Electrified Exit Devices offer advanced access control and security for high-traffic commercial areas. These reliable systems provide flexible options for safety and convenience, including fail-safe and fail-secure modes.
- Von Duprin offers advanced electrified exit devices that improve safety and security in commercial buildings through seamless integration with access control systems.
- Accentra electrified exit devices combine the convenience of traditional panic bars with advanced features like delayed egress, door monitoring, and alarm integration. These intelligent devices enhance building security through real-time monitoring, remote control, and integration with existing security systems.
Advantages of Electrified Exit Devices
- Incorporating these devices into the building’s security system offers real-time monitoring and remote controlling, creating an easy and convenient mode of operation.
- Electrified exit devices work on an advanced yet simple mechanism, reducing the chances of technical failures.
- These devices can be connected to the existing security alarm system to resist unauthorized access to buildings.
Disadvantages of Electrified Exit Devices
- Running on electric power, these exit devices are vulnerable to failure during power outages. In such cases, additional power supply is essential to facilitate the seamless operation of these exit devices.
- Unlike manual exit devices, the installation and maintenance of these devices are rather complex and require professional guidance.
- Purchasing, installing, and maintaining electrified exit devices incurs higher costs than manual exit devices.
Manual Exit Devices vs. Electrified Exit Devices
Before choosing an exit device for your device, it is important to understand the ins and outs of the two major types - manual and electrified exit devices. Here is a broad comparison between the two that helps users make informed decisions about selecting the right exit device.
1. Security and Control Capabilities
Electrified exit devices are considered more secure and dependable than manual exit devices. Their integration with the building access control system and additional safety and security features, make them a better choice than manual exit devices. This makes them suitable for high-traffic areas where there is a heightened need for detailed access management and an efficient safety system.
2. Installation and Maintenance
The absence of electrical components in these devices makes their installation, operation, and maintenance simple, easy, and quick. However, electrified exit devices, with their complex mechanisms, demand advanced installation and maintenance processes that require the attention of experienced operators.
3. User Convenience and Accessibility
Electrified exit devices are superior to manual exit devices in meeting user convenience and accessibility standards. They are designed to function with minimal physical effort while meeting accessibility requirements. Their efficient mode of operation automatically takes necessary actions during critical situations. Though manual exit devices function as a reliable safety system, their functionality differs from that of electrified devices and lacks automated features that align with accessibility standards.
4. Adaptability to Diverse Environments
Manual exit devices are commonly used in small buildings or areas with basic safety requirements. On the other hand, electrified exit devices are ideal for areas with advanced safety concerns. As a result, they are more appropriate in high-traffic areas like hospitals, airports, corporate buildings, subway stations, etc.
What to Consider While Choosing an Exit Device?
After analyzing the differences between the exit device types, now it is time to understand the key considerations for choosing an exit device.
1. Building Type and Security Requirements
The first step towards selecting the right exit device is to consider the building type and its security requirements. For instance, high-traffic areas require more sophisticated safety systems to withstand heavy use and offer the utmost protection. With real-time alerts and secure lockdown capabilities, electrified exit devices are more suitable for such applications. However, a manual exit device provides adequate safety and protection for low-traffic areas like residential buildings or small offices.
2. Budget Considerations
Manual exit devices work as a cost-effective solution by minimizing initial investment costs. However, choosing an electrified exit device can be a long-term investment that functions as a superior safety device. It is also worth noting that investing in quality door hardware ensures reliability and works without frequent maintenance.
3. Local Building Codes and Regulations
Exit devices, whether manual or electrical, should comply with local building codes, regulations, and accessibility standards to enhance building and occupant safety.
4. Future Scalability and Integration With Other Systems
As a consideration for meeting future needs and safety standards, selecting exit devices with future scalability and integration with other systems is highly advantageous. Such devices can improve essential features such as centralized control, monitoring, energy management, emergency response systems, etc.
Final Thoughts
Equipping buildings with safety and security devices is essential, and choosing the right device that adequately serves the purpose is equally important. The two most essential devices for buildings — manual and electrified exit devices — each offer distinct advantages and should be selected based on specific needs. However, choosing between the two for your building depends on multiple factors, such as the building type, safety demands, budget, building codes, etc. In short, a reliable, durable, and well-functioning exit device is a must-have component and a beneficial addition to your building.
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