A panic bar is the push bar on an exit door. You push it, the door opens. When it works, the door closes and clicks shut on its own.
When it doesn't latch, two bad things happen. Your back door is not locked. And an exit door that doesn't work right can fail a fire inspection.
Here are the 6 most common causes we see.
1. The door sags
Heavy doors pull down on their hinges over time. The latch drops below the strike, the metal plate on the frame it's supposed to catch. Now they don't line up.
The fix: tighten or replace the hinges. For heavy doors that keep sagging, a continuous hinge holds the door up along its whole height.
2. The strike moved
The strike on the frame can come loose or get bent. Then the latch hits it in the wrong spot.
The fix: adjust or replace the strike so it lines up with the latch again.
3. The door closer is too weak
The closer is the arm at the top of the door. If it's set too soft, or worn out, the door stops just before it latches.
The fix: adjust the closer's latch speed. If it's leaking oil, replace the closer.
4. The latch is dirty or worn
Dirt, grit, and years of use wear down the parts inside the bar. The latch sticks or won't pop out all the way.
The fix: clean and service the device. If parts are broken, replace them, or the whole bar.
5. The bar was "dogged" by mistake
Many panic bars can be held down with a key or a small tool. That's called dogging. It lets people push the door open without the latch. Easy to forget it's on.
The fix: undog the bar at closing time. If nobody has the dogging key, we can help.
6. The frame or weatherstrip is in the way
A bent frame, a thick new weatherstrip, or a high threshold can stop the door from closing those last few inches.
The fix: adjust or trim what's blocking it. Sometimes the door needs to be rehung.
Quick check you can do
Open the door and let it close by itself. Watch the last few inches.
- Stops short? Likely the closer (#3) or something in the way (#6).
- Hits the frame and bounces? Likely sagging (#1) or the strike (#2).
- Closes but the latch doesn't catch? Likely the latch (#4) or it's dogged (#5).
Don't wait on an exit door
An exit door that won't latch is a security problem and a safety problem. Most fixes take one visit. You get the price before we start.
Send us a photo of the door and we'll tell you what we think it is. Or call (682) 324-6688.
Quick answers
Why does my exit door close but not lock?
Most often the door is sagging, the strike has moved, or the door closer is too weak to pull the door the last few inches. Any of these keeps the latch from catching.
Can a panic bar that won't latch fail a fire inspection?
It can. Exit devices are expected to work correctly, and a door that doesn't close and latch the way it should is a common thing for inspectors to flag. Check with your local fire marshal for the exact rules for your building.
Can you fix a panic bar in one visit?
Most panic bar problems are fixed in one visit. If parts or a new device need to be ordered, we tell you and give you the price first.